Do you watch ‘The Voice?’ After missing a couple of seasons,
I started watching it again. I must say that this seasons crop of entertainers
is the most talented I’ve seen since the shows debut in 2011. There have been
‘steals’ where one singer may be dropped by their coach in favor of another
only to be ‘stolen’ by another coach, who this season are Adam Levine, Pharrell
Williams, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton. After understandably rough
starts, each and every singer has found their voice.
Authors have a voice too. Do you have a favorite author? I
have several favorite authors for varying reasons. Of course they must write
well, but I might find a particular authors’ dialogue compelling. I might find
the personal life of the protagonist interesting, even though he or she may be
involved in the investigation of a murder. Some writers pay close attention to
detail. Others present ideas that may seem fantastical, but they present them
in such a way that it sounds believable.
Of course you enjoy particular authors because of their
stories. But why do you return to the same author over and over? Besides the
stories they tell, you like their style. You like how they tell the story or
paint the picture. I’ll bet that as you read a particular book, you can hear
the characters speaking to one another, or maybe directly to you if it’s
written in first person. You enjoy the authors ‘voice.’
When you write, you have to find your voice. No matter what
genre you write in, the reader has to be able to hear YOU. Express yourself in
your writing. Develop your own style. Explore your own emotions so that you can
express them in your characters. Are you detail oriented? Then be that way in
your stories. Do you like to use slang in your characters speech? Then do it!
I’ve mentioned this before, but the late Elmore Leonard used wonderful dialogue
in his stories of crime, murder and mystery. You knew his characters had hard
edges to them, and were rough, possibly seedy simply because of their speech.
When you read one of his books you can hear his voice.
So why don’t you sit down ‘write’ now and start writing or
pecking away at your keyboard and express yourself through your characters,
scenery and dialogue. Find YOUR voice!
The reason for this blog is to help you, as an aspiring
writer, to improve your art. Yes, you are an artist just as any painter,
musician or singer is. And remember, if you write, you’re a writer. If you have
a published book, even if you’re self published, you’re an author.
Not only do I want to help you improve your craft, I also
want to help you get your name out there. If you want to be a featured author
in this blog, let me know. If you want to be interviewed in this blog, let me
know. Subscribe to this blog or find me on Facebook. Simply search my name.
Good luck to you.
Don Bordua
#BorduasCorner #writing #authors #books
