VOICE COACH
Your unique writer’s voice is what will keep readers enthralled. Margaret James offers wise words on how you can find and develop it
What can I say? Also, how can I say it?
As a teacher of creative writing, I’ve always tried to encourage my students to find their own special voices. This is because in fiction the voice seems to be the element that engages readers most effectively.
Whenever a reader or reviewer says a work of fiction is beautifully written, or spellbinding, or uplifting, or enjoyable, I’m sure this usually means the reviewer loved listening to the voice.
So, your own unique voice, the one that belongs exclusively to you – when you find it, maybe it will then become crystal clear where your talents and motivation when it comes to writing fiction truly lie. All those other important elements, such as plotting, characterisation and narrative viewpoint, should hopefully fall into place.