Today is about Voice. Until I started writing, I didn't know what Voice was, but I knew there were certain stories I absolutely loved and I knew why, I just didn't know what it was called. So maybe I did know what it was...nevermind. My point is, the Voice of a story is uber-important and it doesn't seem to be something you can learn. It just has to come. I don't know if that means opening up and letting your characters take over or how it works. I'm still struggling to put it into everything I write. It's a work in progress.
AND in talking about letting your characters take over, I realized today that I have a very weird relationship with Ari, the main character in Feudlings. This is going to make me sound insane, but somehow my brain equated success of Feudlings to mean acceptance of Ari. She's not real. I created her. But every time my numbers would dip I'd feel like I failed her. And then I started reading the reviews, and people love her, and I was literally telling her in my brain, "See? They love you, Ari. You aren't the monster you think you are."
Ari is so much tougher than I am or ever will be. A lot of times when I'm facing something scary or overwhelming, I hear her sarcastically telling me in my head that I'm a big girl and I'll be fine. So, since I'm talking about Voice, I'll just say this: It seems Ari's has taken on a life of its own.
Voice, and having a distinctive one is truly what makes or breaks a piece of writing! Nancy at Welcome to she said, he said
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting! It sooo does make or break a piece of writing. Good Voice can make it fantastic!
Delete"Write through the Noise" LOVE the title of your blog! I'm visiting from the Challenge. Voice is a toughie. For a book to connect with readers the voice needs to be strong and relatable. Good news is, we can improve and sharpen our voice with practice. I'll be back to visit you again. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is tough. I'm hoping I'll get it eventually!
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