What exactly is writer’s voice?
How do you access and strengthen yours, and how do you express it on the page?
In this episode, I’ll give you 4 ways to give your voice more presence and purpose in your stories.
We’ll talk about what we mean by writer’s voice, common ways writers struggle, and exercises to help your voice flourish.
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Episode at a glance:
[1:42] Learn what writer’s voice is, how it differs from character voice, and common struggles that silence voice.
[9:24] Read
Exposure to different voices and writing techniques will help you understand what resonates with you, and what you appreciate and value in writing. And I’ll walk you through a couple of exercises to emulate the prose you admire.
[16:43] Practice
Developing a strong writer’s voice takes time and practice. And the only way to get in touch with your voice is to write. So write whenever and however you can. Then use revision to crystallize your voice without stripping its flow and spontaneity.
[20:15] Pay attention
A big part of voice is noticing what captures your attention. You’ll learn an exercise to help you bring selectivity to your powers of observation. You don’t see things as they are, you see things as you are.
[23:24] Write from the heart
Write about topics, situations, or people that genuinely interest you, and that you feel passionate about. It’s your passionate relationship with what you’re writing about that connects with readers. I’ll give you an exercise to tap into stories that matter to you.
Links mentioned in this episode:
The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
Girl by Jamaica Kincaid
The Elephant Vanishes: Stories by Haruki Murakami
Jennifer Garner: I’m Not Good At Being Fake,
Episode 106: How To Develop A Consistent Writing Practice
The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
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