So in another thread (Writing Beyond Good) there is some discussion on what exactly voice entails. I've always understood it to be connected to the narrative, that specific way an author tells a story. This can bleed over into the way they portray characters, setting, action, etc.
However, getting a clear definition of what voice is may be in order. So let's take a look at several other opinions about voice:
One thought about it from The Atlantic discusses both Vonnegut and Austen's voice.
What Makes Fiction Good? It's Mostly the Voice - Ta-Nehisi Coates - The Atlantic
An excerpt:
So in this case, voice is tied to the narrative, or the way of telling the story.
Another example is an explanation of how style and voice differ.
Developing Style and Voice in Fiction Writing | Advanced Fiction Writing
So there seems to be an agreement with the first example I gave. It's the attitude you bring to the fiction you're writing, but can also been channeled through your characters.
Here are just two examples of what voice means. Does anyone have any other links or opinions on how you define voice? It would be interesting to hear the different interpretations and finally put to rest what this "voice" really means.
For me, I believe it's the way a story is told. We can all tell a story about a dragonslayer in a different way. Some may rely on a more casual narrative:
"This dragon pissed me off for the last time."
Or a more flowery presentation:
"Through smoke and ash, I rode up to the slithering great wyrm, my lance steady, my black steed kicking up dust."
I think each way has a distinct voice. The first one suggests that the author, and character, is approaching the content in a more direct, modern way. Whereas the second one harkens back to a more traditional fantasy style of voice for a dragonslayer.
In any case, what are your thoughts on the subject of voice?
However, getting a clear definition of what voice is may be in order. So let's take a look at several other opinions about voice:
One thought about it from The Atlantic discusses both Vonnegut and Austen's voice.
What Makes Fiction Good? It's Mostly the Voice - Ta-Nehisi Coates - The Atlantic
An excerpt:
This is a pretty entertaining section, and the entire book is a string of bizarre and absurdist incidents. It has none of the complicated, nuanced characters I claim to enjoy in narrative. But I did enjoy this narrative. I think it is because, in fiction, if you like the person telling you the story—which is to say the voice, not the author—you generally will let them tell you a story.
Pride and Prejudice, for me, is all about voice. I don't find Mr. Darcy gripping at all, except when the Austen's narrator is describing him. It is as though she is letting me on a secret. Ditto for Edith Wharton in The Age of Innocence. The voice belongs to society insider, one who believes in all of its trappings but also loves to gossip about its hypocrisies. It is as if the voice is saying to you—"If you don't have anything good to say, come sit by me." Same with Moby Dick and the vagabond intellectual Ishmael. Same with The Great Gatsby and its everyman, Nick Carraway.
So in this case, voice is tied to the narrative, or the way of telling the story.
Another example is an explanation of how style and voice differ.
Developing Style and Voice in Fiction Writing | Advanced Fiction Writing
I’d define style to be the set of patterns you use in your writing: word choice patterns, grammatical patterns, sentence structure patterns, paragraph structure patterns, narrative structure patterns.
I’d define voice to be the “attitude” you bring to your writing. This can be separated into the voice of each of your characters plus the voice you bring in as author.
So there seems to be an agreement with the first example I gave. It's the attitude you bring to the fiction you're writing, but can also been channeled through your characters.
Here are just two examples of what voice means. Does anyone have any other links or opinions on how you define voice? It would be interesting to hear the different interpretations and finally put to rest what this "voice" really means.
For me, I believe it's the way a story is told. We can all tell a story about a dragonslayer in a different way. Some may rely on a more casual narrative:
"This dragon pissed me off for the last time."
Or a more flowery presentation:
"Through smoke and ash, I rode up to the slithering great wyrm, my lance steady, my black steed kicking up dust."
I think each way has a distinct voice. The first one suggests that the author, and character, is approaching the content in a more direct, modern way. Whereas the second one harkens back to a more traditional fantasy style of voice for a dragonslayer.
In any case, what are your thoughts on the subject of voice?
Last edited: