I recently heard great words of wisdom from literary agent Jill Corcoron about voice. When an author discovers where they belong, what their voice IS, it's a dreamy moment. The pieces fit. The sky opens and you're a voice fit for...YA, middle-grade, fantasy, or whatever. Now, she referred to an agent or editor point an author in a particular direction, a la Sorting Hat style as a fellow attendee said. And without a distinct, clear voice in our writing, we're all doomed.
Yeah, doomed never to be read or published. True story.
I'm not talking self-published. That's not my ultimate goal. Now, now, let's not get started on a debate about traditonal vs. self-publishing.
I'm currently writing a middle-grade fantasy novel. But it's not pulling me anymore. I don't devour middle-grade books. So I asked myself a hard question:
Why am I writing this?
Uh, well, I don't know. It might sell? I like the plot and characters?
Not good enough for me. So then I asked myself another hard questions:
What is my voice?
Oh, uh, sure...it's...I don't know. Great. I'm a voiceless writer. Que tears and immediate depression.
But no! This fight to write is not over.
I asked myself more questions, that I am now going to ask you to ask yourself. Give HONEST answers.
What books do you enjoy reading? They're your favorites. You read them over and over. They've stuck with you. List 5-10.
Why do you love them?
Characters: elaborate. WHY?
Plot: same
Tone: romance, action, thrill, the world etc.
Nail it down to one or two sentences.
Which movies do you love? Why?
If you could write any book, what elements would it have?
My answer: Love, romance, fantasy, fairy tale elements, suspense, blow-your-mind twists,
kick-ass female, unique world with great fashion and atmosphere, drama
Which writers are your inspiration? Why?
My answer: J.K Rowling, plot master!
Philip K. Dick, totally twisted sci-fi fun.
Neil Gaiman, a bit of fantasy fun with some gothic horror.
Jane Austen, oh gosh, Mr. Darcy. * swoon and sigh*
Now, I'm setting out to build a plot, characters, and a world I enjoy. I'm going for a voice that is my own feel and fits my whims. Of course, I'm going to aim for it to be publishable, meaning I'll stay away from a few of those trends or cliche no one wants these days.
What are some of your answers?
Do you know what your voice is?
Have you read any of Megan Whalen Turner's books? If you haven't, based on what you like, you should totally pick up THE THIEF. :o)
ReplyDeleteI read all over the place (poetry, nonfiction, PBs, MG, YA, classics, and an occasional adult novel), but then I write all over the place as well.
The voice question is hard. I think it's easier for someone else to hear your voice, but I'm learning to recognize mine when I revise, though it varies from project to project.
Good luck! :o)