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Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing
What is the single greatest secret to a breakout writing career? It's VOICE. Everyone talks about it, yet no one seems able to define it. Voice has therefore been the most elusive aspect of the entire writing craft to teach. Until now. In this book, #1 bestselling writing teacher James Scott Bell reveals the true source of voice, and what any writer in any genre can do to capture it for their own work. In The Secret Power of Great Writing you'll • An actual working definition of voice that is simple yet powerful • Bell's original method for turning that definition into book-length voice power • How to vary voice from genre to genre, book to book • How to enhance voice with emotion, flow, and attitude • How to create vivid word pictures • Exercises to expand your voice and style • Example after example of voice in action Don't settle for good writing. Go for the unforgettable. The secret of voice will help you get there.
121 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 12, 2015
229 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
James Scott Bell
132 books1,032 followersJim is a former trial lawyer who now writes and speaks full time. He is the bestselling author of Try Dying, No Legal Grounds, Presumed Guilty, Glimpses of Paradise, Breach of Promise and several other thrillers. He is a winner of the Christy Award for Excellence in Inspirational Fiction, and was a fiction columnist for Writers Digest magazine. He has written two books in the Writers' Digest series, Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure and Revision & Self-Editing.
Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver.
Series:
* Shannon Saga (with Tracie Peterson)
* The Trials of Kit Shannon
* Ty Buchanan
Jim has taught writing at Pepperdine University and numerous writers conferences. He attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he studied writing with Raymond Carver.
Series:
* Shannon Saga (with Tracie Peterson)
* The Trials of Kit Shannon
* Ty Buchanan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 30, 2015
I've been writing for 30 years. In my early days, I devoured books on writing and studied Writer's Digest magazine like the sacred text of literary skill. But after a while, it all started to sound the same. There were only so many things you could say about how to write a story. I stopped buying books on writing and let my WD subscription lapse.
Instead of reading about writing, I wrote. And wrote. I finished my first novel. I wrote some more. At conferences and workshops I heard writers and editors talking about this one holy grail that everybody sought: a VOICE that "sang", a voice that stood out in the slush pile, a "fresh" voice, a "unique" voice. So I took workshops on "finding your voice". It was all very kumbaya and mystical. IT DIDN'T HELP.
It's painful to be told there's something lacking that would make your writing stand out and be noticed if it were there. And it's maddening that nobody seemed to be able to tell me what it was or how to develop it.
I've taken classes with James Scott Bell at writing conferences. I've purchased his books. He's an excellent teacher and has a way of explaining things that is logical and clear. But I admit... when I first heard that he was writing on the topic of "voice" I thought, "What could he possibly have to say that would help? Nobody can define that thing. Nobody seems to know what it is."
As cliche as it is, I tip my hat to Bell. I give him a deep Chinese bow, full of respect and honor. (Okay, that's my writer melodrama coming out, sorry!) Not only does Bell break the concept of "voice" into its component parts, he offers exercises that will help us develop it in our writing and includes scores of examples so we can SEE voice in action and analyze it. Not only that, but I've read his recent thriller release, Romeo's Rules, and Bell himself has applied these principles to good effect. In writing Mike Romeo, Bell has captured that hard-boiled, wry-humor voice that I most enjoy for heroes in that genre. So the man practices what he preaches.
All around, if you want to develop (or strengthen) that elusive quality of "voice" in your writing, this book is a must-read.
Instead of reading about writing, I wrote. And wrote. I finished my first novel. I wrote some more. At conferences and workshops I heard writers and editors talking about this one holy grail that everybody sought: a VOICE that "sang", a voice that stood out in the slush pile, a "fresh" voice, a "unique" voice. So I took workshops on "finding your voice". It was all very kumbaya and mystical. IT DIDN'T HELP.
It's painful to be told there's something lacking that would make your writing stand out and be noticed if it were there. And it's maddening that nobody seemed to be able to tell me what it was or how to develop it.
I've taken classes with James Scott Bell at writing conferences. I've purchased his books. He's an excellent teacher and has a way of explaining things that is logical and clear. But I admit... when I first heard that he was writing on the topic of "voice" I thought, "What could he possibly have to say that would help? Nobody can define that thing. Nobody seems to know what it is."
As cliche as it is, I tip my hat to Bell. I give him a deep Chinese bow, full of respect and honor. (Okay, that's my writer melodrama coming out, sorry!) Not only does Bell break the concept of "voice" into its component parts, he offers exercises that will help us develop it in our writing and includes scores of examples so we can SEE voice in action and analyze it. Not only that, but I've read his recent thriller release, Romeo's Rules, and Bell himself has applied these principles to good effect. In writing Mike Romeo, Bell has captured that hard-boiled, wry-humor voice that I most enjoy for heroes in that genre. So the man practices what he preaches.
All around, if you want to develop (or strengthen) that elusive quality of "voice" in your writing, this book is a must-read.
October 30, 2019
I’ve enjoyed other craft books by Bell, but this one fell a little short for me. The common wisdom about voice is “you know it when you see it” and “it’s unique to you.” Still, I was looking for more study of the craft here. Why does the voice work so well here, and how does it happen? I think instead of parading several chapters of examples in different genres, it might have been more helpful to dissect and rewrite those examples. Before and after passages could show why a particular voice resonates, and why another lacks life. Asking me to read “good voice” and understand how it works is missing the point of why I bought this book.
I agree with other comments that this one is too simplistic or perhaps targeted for beginners. I was looking for something deeper.
I agree with other comments that this one is too simplistic or perhaps targeted for beginners. I was looking for something deeper.
May 21, 2019
I didn't get what I expected out of this book based on the description. After having read this book, "Voice" is just as much a mystery to me as it was before, but now I have a small handful of exercises to try out, that may or may not work, and I probably could have found on some blog post somewhere. There was a lot of "fluff" in the book--it was very very full of passages from different books of different genres as examples. That is a pet peeve of mine--does anyone like that? This was particularly disappointing because the author's book "Write from the Middle" is a really exceptional book that helped me a lot, so I was hoping this book would be the same. It was not.
Also, the author's own "voice" is just a little bit self-aggrandizing, and after reading 3 books in a row by him, I started rolling my eyes at the various mentions of how he took whatever class and was so much more exceptional than everyone else. Note to self: this is a good example of how using "voice" can fail.
Also, the author's own "voice" is just a little bit self-aggrandizing, and after reading 3 books in a row by him, I started rolling my eyes at the various mentions of how he took whatever class and was so much more exceptional than everyone else. Note to self: this is a good example of how using "voice" can fail.
August 10, 2016
I can remember asking this question about five years ago: can writing voice change over time or is writing voice like a fingerprint that cannot essentially be changed? The question plagued me for a long time. Of all the writing elements, voice is the trickiest and most elusive. It's difficult to pinpoint. This book does a great job of giving a better understanding of what it is.
I purchased this book last year November and have been reading it on and off over the last nine months.
The sections I've read over again are: The CAP method and the use of metaphors, similes and word pictures. Wonderful explanations on how to use voice in description and also a section on the reading of poetry to develop your voice are included.
There is also voice in different genres - a chapter dedicated to each genre, with examples included for each one.
Highly recommended!
I purchased this book last year November and have been reading it on and off over the last nine months.
The sections I've read over again are: The CAP method and the use of metaphors, similes and word pictures. Wonderful explanations on how to use voice in description and also a section on the reading of poetry to develop your voice are included.
There is also voice in different genres - a chapter dedicated to each genre, with examples included for each one.
Highly recommended!
October 4, 2017
Eh, this was a quick read but not all that helpful. It was a lot of gushing over an acting class the author took, and then excerpts from books in various genres that show voice (rendering more than half the book useless unless you write in every genre). Not a total waste of time but I didn't feel like I got much out of it.
August 3, 2020
Having read, and found useful, some of James Scott Bell's other writing guides, I was surprised by the shockingly thin size of this little gem. It's an easy read with short, quick chapters. There are nuggets of wisdom throughout that will reinforce what you already know about voice and writing. It includes some good solid exercises to help you re-discover the magic when you are stuck. Overall, however, I'd classify it as a secondary reference source and not a primary one. I'll be keeping it on my shelf to open my mind when I'm having trouble finding a character's voice or purpose but it won't be my primary source of writing help when I'm struggling.
April 18, 2018
This was a short and useful book. The information was quite succinct and backed up with examples from various published works. James Scott Bell makes a compelling argument for the CAP method of voice creation for a character and details several exercises that are useful in developing a strong character voice. I am willing to give them a go. I thought the voice journal was a particularly good idea. I would recommend this book to writers who are starting out or who would like to improve their characterisations.
November 12, 2015
Bell presents a concise and clear examination of Voice, where it comes from, how to develop, how it's affected by genre.
The book is full of excellent examples of other authors accompanied by Bell's discussion of the sample.
Also has some really good exercises for developing your own voice.
Bell is one of my favorite authors on the writing craft and I always find gems to apply to my own craft.
This is no exception.
The book is full of excellent examples of other authors accompanied by Bell's discussion of the sample.
Also has some really good exercises for developing your own voice.
Bell is one of my favorite authors on the writing craft and I always find gems to apply to my own craft.
This is no exception.
February 6, 2016
I enjoyed this short book and will definitely go back and do the exercises in it. I can see it being very helpful indeed.
August 6, 2025
This is the shortest book I have read from my growing library of James Scott Bell books. Just like the saying "Good things come in small packages," describing this book is not a how long or how short statement. It would be better to describe how much is crammed into 118 pages (and yes, I am including two of the most important sections, "For Further Reading" and "More of My Writing Books").
You may notice this short book took me over two weeks to read. That is because there are plenty of exercises in the book that are necessary to gaining all the benefits available in "Voice." For instance, to understand your character and to get his head into yours, Mr. Bell offers multiple steps, beginning with answering five questions. I won't go through all of them here, but the first question was a lot of fun, so I share it here:
What is my character's dominant impression?
Your answer is a composite of two words, the adjective of manner connected to a noun of vocation. Choose your character's main role in life, and then place an adjective before the noun, using adjectives that other characters may use to describe the character you are building. I had a lot of fun with this one.
If you take advantage of all the exercises, you will definitely stretch your skills. Another great book from James Scott Bell. Five stars.
You may notice this short book took me over two weeks to read. That is because there are plenty of exercises in the book that are necessary to gaining all the benefits available in "Voice." For instance, to understand your character and to get his head into yours, Mr. Bell offers multiple steps, beginning with answering five questions. I won't go through all of them here, but the first question was a lot of fun, so I share it here:
What is my character's dominant impression?
Your answer is a composite of two words, the adjective of manner connected to a noun of vocation. Choose your character's main role in life, and then place an adjective before the noun, using adjectives that other characters may use to describe the character you are building. I had a lot of fun with this one.
If you take advantage of all the exercises, you will definitely stretch your skills. Another great book from James Scott Bell. Five stars.
July 14, 2018
Very helpful to understand how to improve your "voice".
November 10, 2015
Finally!! Someone actually demystifies “voice,” that elusive quality no one in the writing/publishing world seems willing or able to define. In the introduction to this short and to-the-point book, author James Scott Bell says, “Every time there’s a panel of agents or editors at a conference, when they are asked what they’re looking for in a manuscript, someone always says, ‘A fresh voice.’ But no one can agree what that is.”
Why? Why is it so hard to explain something that all good writing must exhibit? How the heck are writers supposed to develop voice when we can’t even get a straight answer on what it is? I’ve always been frustrated by this ambiguity. For years, I resigned myself to thinking voice is like your shadow—you can never really put your finger on it, so you just have to develop all the other aspects of your craft until one day, voilà! You turn around and suddenly your writing has great voice, which shines as clear as day for readers and editors, although you yourself can never quite grasp the outline of it.
VOICE: The Secret Power of Great Writing tears down the veil and explains in concise, clear language what voice is and how every writer can cultivate it. I’m so glad Bell wrote this book, because a quality that every good writer is expected to develop should be attainable with study and hard work. It should not be a cryptic status bestowed by a secret society on the honored— but never enlightened—writer. If you’re tired of the mystery and ambiguity surrounding voice, pick up this book. You’ll get a no-nonsense definition (wow!), examples, practical tips, and exercises to help you transform your prose from blah to brilliant.
Why? Why is it so hard to explain something that all good writing must exhibit? How the heck are writers supposed to develop voice when we can’t even get a straight answer on what it is? I’ve always been frustrated by this ambiguity. For years, I resigned myself to thinking voice is like your shadow—you can never really put your finger on it, so you just have to develop all the other aspects of your craft until one day, voilà! You turn around and suddenly your writing has great voice, which shines as clear as day for readers and editors, although you yourself can never quite grasp the outline of it.
VOICE: The Secret Power of Great Writing tears down the veil and explains in concise, clear language what voice is and how every writer can cultivate it. I’m so glad Bell wrote this book, because a quality that every good writer is expected to develop should be attainable with study and hard work. It should not be a cryptic status bestowed by a secret society on the honored— but never enlightened—writer. If you’re tired of the mystery and ambiguity surrounding voice, pick up this book. You’ll get a no-nonsense definition (wow!), examples, practical tips, and exercises to help you transform your prose from blah to brilliant.
October 15, 2015
Voice - The Secret Power of Great Writing by James Scott Bell
This book is a great addition for any author's library. It is about finding the “voice” for your characters. Getting into the mind of your characters. Feel their emotions...such as anger. What ticks your character off? Find that trigger and write it down.
He gives many examples from authors past and present on how the voices of their characters came to life. The author goes through the many genres and how the voices present themselves.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
This book is a great addition for any author's library. It is about finding the “voice” for your characters. Getting into the mind of your characters. Feel their emotions...such as anger. What ticks your character off? Find that trigger and write it down.
He gives many examples from authors past and present on how the voices of their characters came to life. The author goes through the many genres and how the voices present themselves.
http://justjudysjumbles.blogspot.com/...
October 15, 2015
This book contains what I think is an incredible and unique method to create a strong voice in your fiction. James Scott Bell hits it out of the park! I'll be using Bell's techniques in my own novels.
September 14, 2018
Clarity to the idea of "voice" in writing.
Helpful to the aspiring writer. Good examples from different authors to justify each point. Gives clarity to the somewhat vague idea of "voice" in writing.
Helpful to the aspiring writer. Good examples from different authors to justify each point. Gives clarity to the somewhat vague idea of "voice" in writing.
August 18, 2017
Handy for beginners, though I'm surprised he didn't spend more time with metaphors and similes, or even mention the rhythm of words. And what's with citing honestly terrible examples of "voice"? Other Bell books are better.
January 15, 2020
Shorter than anticipated but decent information.
May 26, 2020
Some worthwhile exercises here, particularly ones that relate to character development. I'm not great at descriptions, so I also liked the advice on how to showcase a setting. Short but helpful.
December 22, 2019
Short but very good discussion of voice in writing. Voice, point of view, and show don't tell are the three most critical skills a fiction writer needs to master and voice is the most elusive and difficult to define. Good examples and discussion of all the major genres including literary and nonfiction. (And I finally understand why I haven't been able to get more than 10 pages into an Isaac Asimov book.) I didn't care much for the CAP method he describes at the beginning but some may find it useful. There are few writing books devoted to voice and this is probably the easiest for new writers to digest. Writing instructors may find it especially useful--plenty of exercises and examples.
July 5, 2020
Such a great source of information on one of the many subjects related to the craft of writing. James Scott Bell continues to show that he has such a firm grasp on the ability to convey the many facets of writing and how we, as authors, can do better with it.
"Voice" shows the reader/author the levels of distinction between the various ways how the character can make themselves better understood to the reader in the manner and tone that the author wishes to present them.
For those wanting to study the craft of writing, I can't hype James Scott Bell's works enough. "Voice" is no exception to the great series that Mr. Bell has graced the writing world with.
"Voice" shows the reader/author the levels of distinction between the various ways how the character can make themselves better understood to the reader in the manner and tone that the author wishes to present them.
For those wanting to study the craft of writing, I can't hype James Scott Bell's works enough. "Voice" is no exception to the great series that Mr. Bell has graced the writing world with.
June 27, 2018
Just Wow!
Incredible what he packs into this book. It’s so helpful to understand voice and truly connect with your characters. This book may seem like it has a lot of filler with the big chunks of samples from other books but these really give you a sense of the different voice each genre calls for when James breaks it all down. He shows you how to achieve the voice for each genre so a horror doesn’t come off as a comedy or a romance as a horror (even though sometimes that’s the case). The exercises he provides are worth the cost of the book alone.
Incredible what he packs into this book. It’s so helpful to understand voice and truly connect with your characters. This book may seem like it has a lot of filler with the big chunks of samples from other books but these really give you a sense of the different voice each genre calls for when James breaks it all down. He shows you how to achieve the voice for each genre so a horror doesn’t come off as a comedy or a romance as a horror (even though sometimes that’s the case). The exercises he provides are worth the cost of the book alone.
September 3, 2018
I've had this on my kindle for some time and never got around to reading it, BUT... I am so glad I did! This book is another in Bell's long line up of sound and practical advice. It brought some fresh ideas to the topic of finding one's writerly voice and actually was quite practical in that he didn't just stick to the premise that voice is one of those nebulous things that can't really be defined. Instead, he manages to give excellent examples and very practical and useable tidbits of information. Highly recommended.
January 31, 2025
Helping me to find my voice
I wrote my first novel and sent it to a publisher. The editor rejected it,but kindly gave me suggestions to make it better. One of those was to read books by James Scott Bell. Well the novel has been on the backburner for a while but I am ready to get back to it. This book contains all kinds of tips and exercises for an author to find his or her voice, complete with plenty of excerpts from novels to illustrate th he author's point. This is a really useful resource. If you're a writer or want to e one, pick this one up.
I wrote my first novel and sent it to a publisher. The editor rejected it,but kindly gave me suggestions to make it better. One of those was to read books by James Scott Bell. Well the novel has been on the backburner for a while but I am ready to get back to it. This book contains all kinds of tips and exercises for an author to find his or her voice, complete with plenty of excerpts from novels to illustrate th he author's point. This is a really useful resource. If you're a writer or want to e one, pick this one up.
May 9, 2017
Books on writing are a lot like recipe books - If I find at least one delicious recipe, the book was totally worth it. I've read a few other books on writing by James Scott Bell and every one of them has a moment for me - an 'Ah ha!' moment when I step back and think, 'I can so totally do that!'
This book has many of those moments. Not that I'll ever remember each one, but I did hi-light them so I can go back and refresh my memory and put them into practice.
This book has many of those moments. Not that I'll ever remember each one, but I did hi-light them so I can go back and refresh my memory and put them into practice.
October 28, 2018
Excellent craft book for writing
Voice is that illusive thing that can't be taught or so we're told. You're either born with it or you're not. And you're book better have it or you're sunk. What's a writer to do? This book gives clear advice on developing voice. I look forward to working on the exercises.
Voice is that illusive thing that can't be taught or so we're told. You're either born with it or you're not. And you're book better have it or you're sunk. What's a writer to do? This book gives clear advice on developing voice. I look forward to working on the exercises.
September 16, 2019
Interesting. Covers many genres.
I enjoyed the book. I have several by the author and he has an interesting way of picking literature apart and pointing out what makes it tick. The book is heavy on examples. It does a good job of quantifying the elusive quality of Voice into something more graspable. Worth a read if you're struggling to understand the concept.
I enjoyed the book. I have several by the author and he has an interesting way of picking literature apart and pointing out what makes it tick. The book is heavy on examples. It does a good job of quantifying the elusive quality of Voice into something more graspable. Worth a read if you're struggling to understand the concept.
July 23, 2018
Great reference book
good to read all the way through a nd to keep purely for the exceptional examples and exercises. If you want become a better writer and are currently studying the craft, you need this book.
good to read all the way through a nd to keep purely for the exceptional examples and exercises. If you want become a better writer and are currently studying the craft, you need this book.
February 20, 2021
Lots of examples of voice
I have read most of Mr. Bell's books and they are always helpful. I really like the idea he gave of a voice journal for characters--I'm definitely going to try that out.
I have read most of Mr. Bell's books and they are always helpful. I really like the idea he gave of a voice journal for characters--I'm definitely going to try that out.
April 28, 2023
I love James Scott Bell's love of the history of writing and how he weaves in masters from times past to make his points throughout. Reading this left me inspired to dig deeper and explore more fully my own voice. Thank you for this blessing, Sir!
August 28, 2018
Great addition to my armamentarium. Learned a lot for such a little book. Great writing exercises too. JSB never disappoints.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews