I always use to hear people talk about ‘voice’ when they spoke about their writing and I never had a clue what they were going on about. (I’d just nod and smile …) I’d hear phrases like:

‘I’m looking for a story with a strong voice.’

‘I’m writing about a character with an unusual voice.’

‘The core of a story is with it’s voice.’

I really thought at one point they were on about how it was read out loud (no laughing, yes you! I’m being honest here).

But over the years I’ve come to understand though, that it actually is important to recognise, establish and evolve your voice when writing an story.

Because the voice of your story essential, it is in essence its soul. Every story you write will have a unique voice. You may have a style of voice that is recognisable or identifiable to you as an author, but the individual voice of each story you create helps give it a soul and bring it to life, helping to strengthen the plot and the connection a reader makes with it.

For me personally voice means a few things.

Firstly it relates to my characters. If I were to sit them down in a room how would they act, what would they say, how would they say it. Their body language, their dialect, their ethics and morals, all define their voice and how they influence and shape a stories core feel.

Next it draws on the flow and pace of my story. If the voice of my story is loud and demanding my pace and plot will be fast and loud itself with an opening that grabs you in and doesn’t let go, whereas if my voice is soft and delicate my story will start softly and pull the reader in, weaving the story more subtly charming them with its skill and beauty.

And of course there is the part of myself that I put into the story, whether subconsciously or not we impact our stories based on our own voice, our own story and our own experiences. A little piece of us, no matter how tiny, flavours the voice of the story we write and determines how it evolves and grows.

I’m sure voice will mean some different to anyone asked, but what I always ask myself now is:

Does the voice of my story feel authentic in relation to my plot?

Can the reader connect with the voice of my story?

Does my plot and my voice compliment or clash with each other?

If your voice doesn’t feel right to, will it feel right to the reader?

So what are you waiting for? Go out there and find your voice, the journey is different for each of us, but the goal is always the same. Find the right voice for you! Good Luck