By: Alix Remick
We have all consumed a piece of media or literature that has left us dumbfounded, and some that were just alright. What separates these two types of works? Where do we draw the imaginary line between great and good? Having a strong sense of voice within your writing is a fantastic place to start that distinction.
It is important to understand that there is a difference between a character or narrators voice and the writer’s voice. When talking about a character’s voice, it is what you as the reader would be consuming as you move through the story. Their thoughts, morals, and reactions to events in the story comprise the characters voice. The writer’s voice is your own personal style in your writing. Your word choice or language, sentence structure, and tone you put in the story highlights your writing style. Essentially, the way you implement your personality in your writing is your voice.
Having a personal style of writing helps set your work apart from the countless other styles that have been done before. There are only so many things people can write about, and it is easy for certain topics or tropes to be overdone. This is where confidence come in. By implementing your perspective on a topic that may have been done before, you not only are establishing a base familiarity with your reader, but also subverting expectations in a way that keeps them intrigued. However, this is not to say that key elements of storytelling such as character arcs, nuance, or a cohesive plot with a climax and resolution are to be forgotten. It is important to consider how you can work with these factors while also ensuring your stylistic choices stand out.
“Red Clocks” by Leni Zumas perfectly encapsulates the meaning of having voice in your writing. The book has five different perspectives, each of a different woman navigating struggles that women today face. Zumas masterfully intertwines her style within each character’s section. These characters thoughts, feelings, and perspectives still feel cohesive because of the implementations of her voice into her work. Throughout the book, it is evident Zumas understands how her voice, character voice, and basic story elements all work together to create an amazing piece of literature.
Do not be afraid to stand out in your writing. You are the creator in any work you make, and you want to let your audience know you have that level of confidence in what you produce. Let your voice be heard in your pieces. Doing so will make you as a writer stand out, and take your work from good to great.