What do you think?
Rate this book
Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing
Find your voice–and make your writing sing! &break;&break;You know a great literary "voice" when you hear David Sedaris' humorous cynicism. Elmore Leonard's weary, smart-mouthed dialogue. Nick Hornby's simple yet imaginative descriptions. It's the kind of writing you should aspire to, right? &break;&break;Well...not quite. Each of these authors found success in part by developing their own unique a writing style that helped define - and throw the spotlight on - their work. &break;&break;Now Les Edgerton shows you how to develop a voice of your own, one that rises above the literary din because of its individuality, not in spite of it! &break;&break;Inside, he provides guidelines, advice and dozens of exercises for recognizing and developing a natural style that will make your characters, stories and dialogue better and more memorable. You'll &break;&break;
241 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2003
59 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
October 3, 2010
After you've read the writing books that point out all the errors you made when you were starting out, and then you've read the writing books that make you feel like you'll never "get there" with your writing, this book is a refreshing boost to your confidence.
"If you’ve read rabidly all your life, believe it or not, you know as much as just about anybody in the writing game. You may not be able to articulate it as well as some professors, but you don’t have to. All you have to do is follow your gut."
So that quote runs the danger of making it sound like great writing is really easy, but that's where all the great exercises in this book will set you straight. Some of the exercises are short and fun (e.g. easy), but most take quite a bit of thought, imagination, and research. Yes - research! Okay, I admit, I've only done a few so far, and they took me a lot longer than I thought they would, but the result was well worth it.
Here's an example of one of the exercises: "A great way to warm-up your voice is to pick the character and tone you want and write a letter to your best friend using it, no longer than a page. Or pick four words that you associate with the scene and free-associate three more words for each of these (word clustering)."
The book is well organized and breaks down voice into some of its components: tone, rhythm, and imagery. In addition to the exercises, it includes discussion of good voice-building techniques. For instance, some of the techniques discussed come from actors, and are adapted for writers:
"Successful actors make marvelous use of their own individualities in creating the roles they play on the screen. You can use the same technique to create the roles you play on the page."
The book ends with some quotes/excerpts from authors, agents and editors discussing why voice is so critical. Here's a couple short quotes:
"Your goal should be to communicate with the reader the same way they would when telling a story to a good friend."
"For fiction to work, the reader needs to feel the presence of a live and sweating human being behind each sentence, a governing sensibility, a certain way of inhabiting the world."
The author uses his own distinctive voice throughout the book, for as he points out several times, voice is important in non-fiction as well as fiction. For a truly great example of non-fiction voice, combined with excellent writing advice, I also recommend "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott.
"If you’ve read rabidly all your life, believe it or not, you know as much as just about anybody in the writing game. You may not be able to articulate it as well as some professors, but you don’t have to. All you have to do is follow your gut."
So that quote runs the danger of making it sound like great writing is really easy, but that's where all the great exercises in this book will set you straight. Some of the exercises are short and fun (e.g. easy), but most take quite a bit of thought, imagination, and research. Yes - research! Okay, I admit, I've only done a few so far, and they took me a lot longer than I thought they would, but the result was well worth it.
Here's an example of one of the exercises: "A great way to warm-up your voice is to pick the character and tone you want and write a letter to your best friend using it, no longer than a page. Or pick four words that you associate with the scene and free-associate three more words for each of these (word clustering)."
The book is well organized and breaks down voice into some of its components: tone, rhythm, and imagery. In addition to the exercises, it includes discussion of good voice-building techniques. For instance, some of the techniques discussed come from actors, and are adapted for writers:
"Successful actors make marvelous use of their own individualities in creating the roles they play on the screen. You can use the same technique to create the roles you play on the page."
The book ends with some quotes/excerpts from authors, agents and editors discussing why voice is so critical. Here's a couple short quotes:
"Your goal should be to communicate with the reader the same way they would when telling a story to a good friend."
"For fiction to work, the reader needs to feel the presence of a live and sweating human being behind each sentence, a governing sensibility, a certain way of inhabiting the world."
The author uses his own distinctive voice throughout the book, for as he points out several times, voice is important in non-fiction as well as fiction. For a truly great example of non-fiction voice, combined with excellent writing advice, I also recommend "Bird by Bird" by Anne Lamott.
December 4, 2013
At first I agreed and liked the examples and opinions used. Edgerton has a fluid style and makes it easy to read the book. As I got further in it felt more like gospel and eventually I got to points that I thought was bad advice or just poorly written. For example he says trust your voice and that he has totem rewrites down to one or two... and if we go beyond that because of others' standards we are losing our voice. I think as many rewrites as it takes is what we should aim for and it all depends on how you approach writing. Some people do end up with many revisions, but they may have also gotten through the first draft by just letting all worries go.
He also says no book, teacher, author, and so on should be taken with a grain of salt, but I just disagree. We can learn from so many others, we just should remind ourselves that others are sometimes wrong, but it does not mean you can not learn a great deal from other authors or books.
While I just flat out did not agree with some ideas from this book, I felt a bit of the message was repetitive. The book is easy to read because of the Edgarton's writing style and perhaps you will find some motivational or inspirational wisdom for your writing.
He also says no book, teacher, author, and so on should be taken with a grain of salt, but I just disagree. We can learn from so many others, we just should remind ourselves that others are sometimes wrong, but it does not mean you can not learn a great deal from other authors or books.
While I just flat out did not agree with some ideas from this book, I felt a bit of the message was repetitive. The book is easy to read because of the Edgarton's writing style and perhaps you will find some motivational or inspirational wisdom for your writing.
February 23, 2013
We writers are almost constantly told about voice. In snippets. We'll read an article and it will say "write in your own voice" or "trust your voice" or "don't copy Flaulkner or Hemingway, develop your own voice." Blah, blah, blah. This is the only book I know of dedicated to our writing voice, and as such, it contains probably more than you want or need. It's overkill. Les includes many examples, passages from his works and from works of authors who have found and used their own voice successfully. I didn't want to read all of the extras. I felt I didn't need to. You see, I didn't pay attention in school, so I have very little to unlearn. I have also written a million and a half words already in my own voice. I didn't need this book at all. Nobody needs this book. Yet we all do; because as know it alls, we really know nothing. Les lays it out for us, and while we may skip over parts or yell at him as we read, we all need to read his words and learn from him. This book is a legacy maker. All I need to do to find my voice is say the name "Les Edgerton" and all the funk flows out of my head and I'm left there with myself. This is a book I recommend for anybody and everybody. We all write; we all need to find our own true voice.
Thanks Les!
Thanks Les!
March 13, 2010
I have learned that it's okay to be myself and it's very much okay not to sound like Virginia Woolf, Toni Morrison et al, because I'm definitely not them. Thank you again, Les. After reading "Hooked", I really love this book as well. Thank you for writing it!
June 4, 2010
I really loved this guy's stance on writing. Basically, trust your gut, get rid of that critic-nag-dude(or dudette) in you and others, and just write for yourself.
November 10, 2017
I worte on Facebook: "I love the book Finding Your Own Voice. I thought that to be a god author I needed to be starched-stiff with degrees but it's not so. Not that learning how to write hurts, it can kill. Unless you find authors who can grip you by the gut. Finding Your Own Voice reminds me that I don't keep trying to learn how to be a better writer but how to write like other writers because I feel inferior. Shows me the way back to why I want and need to write. How to be myself and have the guts to tell you my truth. Not to "kill my darlings" to please everyone but to murder my people pleasing insecurity. Thanks, Les Edgerton for Finding Your Voice.
Edit
Now I add, in no way did I intend to say that learning is an impediment to writing but to me, it was a detriment because I tried to change myself like the dough before it becomes a pretzel. I continue to read and take courses in writing but not to twist myself into feelings of inadequacy but to trust that what I learn is a tool to make me the best author I can be.
Les Edgerton, you are one who gave me the courage to publish the first book of my trilogy: The Sylph's Tale, thank you.
Edit
Now I add, in no way did I intend to say that learning is an impediment to writing but to me, it was a detriment because I tried to change myself like the dough before it becomes a pretzel. I continue to read and take courses in writing but not to twist myself into feelings of inadequacy but to trust that what I learn is a tool to make me the best author I can be.
Les Edgerton, you are one who gave me the courage to publish the first book of my trilogy: The Sylph's Tale, thank you.
September 14, 2011
You know that little ditty "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine?" -- It's all right here, just for you. And if you've ever questions your voice in writing, Les Edgerton—the Author of Hooked, Write Fiction that Grabs Readers at Page One and Never Lets The Go—lets you know with humor and certainty that if you let your natural voice shine, so will your writing.
His humor and personal anecdotes made this a fantastic read. Talk about voice. The entire reading experience was a lot less like learning and whole lot more like a personal lecture on letting go and being myself on the page.
One of my Favorites.
His humor and personal anecdotes made this a fantastic read. Talk about voice. The entire reading experience was a lot less like learning and whole lot more like a personal lecture on letting go and being myself on the page.
One of my Favorites.
November 6, 2015
Mr. Edgerton is top notch when it comes to offering up the tricks of the trade to beginning and aspiring authors.
I can't recomment it highly enough!
His warmth, humor, and on target wisdom comes from a very real place, in true spirit of wanting to help. The prompts and exercises alone are more than worth the price of admission! Especially the critic nag-dude letter!
If you need a little help in this direction, look no farther. Les is your man!
I can't recomment it highly enough!
His warmth, humor, and on target wisdom comes from a very real place, in true spirit of wanting to help. The prompts and exercises alone are more than worth the price of admission! Especially the critic nag-dude letter!
If you need a little help in this direction, look no farther. Les is your man!
August 6, 2012
This was the first how-to book of Edgerton's I read. I had read about it in the Writer's Digest magazine and read an article in the same magazine by Les. I'm a hard-headed mofo sometimes, and Les will vouch for that, but he lays it on the line here. He makes you toss out the window everything you ever learned in school about writing.Definitely worth your time and money to invest in.
January 24, 2008
His other book - Hooked - was much better. Nevertheless, this also is a good book. I bet if I had read this before Hooked, I would have rated it higher.
January 18, 2012
I highly recommend this book. This is an area I've really been struggling with, and I learned a lot by reading this.
April 22, 2020
Practice, practice, practice...
June 13, 2020
To a writer, something that they call “voice” simply provides a line of life. It’s the most essential part of getting a reader interested in reading more – and getting an editor interested in publishing the author. Edgerton’s method of developing voice is simply learning to be yourself while writing. This professional writing teacher teaches us his writing process – by studying how others write and then by listening to how he thinks.
He seems to spend a lot of his time teaching students inclined towards literature how to write. In this book, he often refers to the transgression of trying to imitate other authors instead of writing your own thoughts. He also talks of the transgression of the “Critic-Nag Dude” who criticizes one’s natural writing style. This internal critic tends to over-polish writing and is the stuff of piling rewrite upon rewrite.
As for himself, Edgerton’s writing voice is fairly loose and folksy. He does not have an overly academic or even succinct style. As is common today, he is pretty conversational. I’m not sure he has a ton to say to those, like myself, who have a more academic and analytical voice. Nonetheless, the central message of disregarding one’s own harsh thoughts ought to be accepted by everyone. Too many people spend their time in life trying to imitate others.
Edgerton also addresses writers of both fiction and non-fiction. Fiction writers must be authentic to themselves while imitating the voices of their characters. Their characters, however, are ultimately a creation of their soul. Non-fiction writers must learn to engender curiosity, wonder, and interest in the reader. The best way to do that is to be so with the subject matter at hand.
This book provides a relaxed read for those interested in the craft of writing. Instead of a technical work on how to enhance voice, reading it more reflects a therapy session – not on how to live but on how to cultivate authenticity, transparency, and honesty in writing. Those looking to unlock the mysteries of success and the universe will probably be disappointed. Those looking to improve a few things in their writing, however, will find many gems hidden in the grass.
He seems to spend a lot of his time teaching students inclined towards literature how to write. In this book, he often refers to the transgression of trying to imitate other authors instead of writing your own thoughts. He also talks of the transgression of the “Critic-Nag Dude” who criticizes one’s natural writing style. This internal critic tends to over-polish writing and is the stuff of piling rewrite upon rewrite.
As for himself, Edgerton’s writing voice is fairly loose and folksy. He does not have an overly academic or even succinct style. As is common today, he is pretty conversational. I’m not sure he has a ton to say to those, like myself, who have a more academic and analytical voice. Nonetheless, the central message of disregarding one’s own harsh thoughts ought to be accepted by everyone. Too many people spend their time in life trying to imitate others.
Edgerton also addresses writers of both fiction and non-fiction. Fiction writers must be authentic to themselves while imitating the voices of their characters. Their characters, however, are ultimately a creation of their soul. Non-fiction writers must learn to engender curiosity, wonder, and interest in the reader. The best way to do that is to be so with the subject matter at hand.
This book provides a relaxed read for those interested in the craft of writing. Instead of a technical work on how to enhance voice, reading it more reflects a therapy session – not on how to live but on how to cultivate authenticity, transparency, and honesty in writing. Those looking to unlock the mysteries of success and the universe will probably be disappointed. Those looking to improve a few things in their writing, however, will find many gems hidden in the grass.
February 27, 2023
This author uses a lot of words that to me are clutter. You have been warned. This is a 20 year old book, so many of the references are quite dated, ditto. Okay? Okay.
Although as usual I read the e-sample before buying, I ended up skimming in excess of 80% of this book, in part the reason above, in larger part that I already know most of this, but specifically, the author's style became tedious to me.
Also, for someone who in chapter five advocates trusting your readers to be every bit as smart as you are, he spent the first four chapters harping on essentially the very same point (that one's 'voice' is ruined by rules and conformity and you should write the way you want to write) over and over again. I suppose brand-new authors may need all that. I don't remember ever being that clueless, but may have been.
Ultimately, I found one word association exercise interesting enough to do, which may or may not help me with this next story idea. Was it worth $5? ....Maybe. Maybe not.
Although as usual I read the e-sample before buying, I ended up skimming in excess of 80% of this book, in part the reason above, in larger part that I already know most of this, but specifically, the author's style became tedious to me.
Also, for someone who in chapter five advocates trusting your readers to be every bit as smart as you are, he spent the first four chapters harping on essentially the very same point (that one's 'voice' is ruined by rules and conformity and you should write the way you want to write) over and over again. I suppose brand-new authors may need all that. I don't remember ever being that clueless, but may have been.
Ultimately, I found one word association exercise interesting enough to do, which may or may not help me with this next story idea. Was it worth $5? ....Maybe. Maybe not.
November 10, 2018
This was a great book on giving you permission, as a writer, to speak from your core. He described well the tendencies for aspiring authors to take on a voice that they believe is writerly, when in fact, their writing is more interesting and funny when they're just being themselves. This book is definitely a good push in the right direction to get on already with producing the words consistently and full confidence that what you, and only what you can say because of your life experience, is not just good enough. It is exactly what readers, agents, publishers and so on are looking for: your voice.
June 13, 2018
Como el otro libro de Les Edgerton (que leí ayer), este me gustó muchísimo, pero no es algo a lo que uno pueda darle una puntuación. Me conecté muchísimo más con este libro suyo, aunque estuve en desacuerdo con muchas cosas, lo cual no me pasó con el otro libro. Aún así, disfruté mucho este. Me inspiró mucho más que el otro. Un buen conjunto de informes, consejos y verdades sobre la escritura y sobre encontrar la voz de cada uno. ¡Lo amé! (Tranquilos, Juli sigue acá, pero ando leyendo algunos libros de no ficción sobre cosas que me interesan :P)
June 16, 2017
I didn't like this one as music as Hooked, but I still thought it was a good read. He had some very good suggestions for how to work through finding your voice. Out of all the aspects of writing, I think I'm most confident in my voice. But it was still good to read about ways to protect it and develop it without losing it.
August 16, 2017
This was another book that I read while in college, not for a class, just for myself. I think it really helps you fine tune that voice you are looking for that will help you write that book, short story, or poem more effectively.
July 29, 2017
Voice chapter was the most interesting. Nice exercises too.
January 21, 2019
One of the top 3 best books on writing I've read in 35 years!
January 25, 2022
The information was great and so were the exercises within it. But the voice and tone of the author made it a bit tough to get through.
April 2, 2022
A nonfiction book for aspiring writers. Edgerton helps authors or authors-in-waiting to find their own narrative voice.
September 7, 2023
Great book. Lots of examples.
May 8, 2017
Which comes first, voice or craft? In Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing, author Les Edgerton begins by blaming all the English teachers you had through elementary and secondary school for destroying your original voice.
Edgerton believes if you were allowed to just write “naturally”, not like how you were told to write and not like how you think a “writer” should write you’d have your original voice.
I thought learning how to write came first and voice came after that, and since it was all those English teachers who taught me how to write, including punctuation and grammar, I don’t think they’re really to blame if you can’t find your writing voice.
It appears the only people who are anxious about finding “their writing voice” are those who don’t write well. I advance the concept that once you learn how to write, and I mean actually put in those 10,000 hours to become reasonably adept at the craft, voice comes naturally.
And you know what? I think Edgerton believes that as well, because once I got past the idea this book was about magically finding your voice, I realized it was a book about how to write, and a solid one at that, and written in an easy, kind of folksy, non academic voice.
Edgerton has used the angst novice writers have about finding their voice as “a hook”, or as I use to explain to my sales staff, the USP – Unique Selling Proposition. This is to differentiate his “how to” book from all the rest.
And it worked, at least on me.
30
Video book reviews of self-published authors now at
Not Your Family, Not Your Friend Video Book Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH45...
My new novels, FOREST – Love, Loss, Legend and The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic are available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003DS6LEU and as e-books at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Read Reviews https://readersfavorite.com:book-revi...
Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to my Eco-Fi series ECO-WARRIORS, that includes Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route...
More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodra...
View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/7879102...
Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQV...
Edgerton believes if you were allowed to just write “naturally”, not like how you were told to write and not like how you think a “writer” should write you’d have your original voice.
I thought learning how to write came first and voice came after that, and since it was all those English teachers who taught me how to write, including punctuation and grammar, I don’t think they’re really to blame if you can’t find your writing voice.
It appears the only people who are anxious about finding “their writing voice” are those who don’t write well. I advance the concept that once you learn how to write, and I mean actually put in those 10,000 hours to become reasonably adept at the craft, voice comes naturally.
And you know what? I think Edgerton believes that as well, because once I got past the idea this book was about magically finding your voice, I realized it was a book about how to write, and a solid one at that, and written in an easy, kind of folksy, non academic voice.
Edgerton has used the angst novice writers have about finding their voice as “a hook”, or as I use to explain to my sales staff, the USP – Unique Selling Proposition. This is to differentiate his “how to” book from all the rest.
And it worked, at least on me.
30
Video book reviews of self-published authors now at
Not Your Family, Not Your Friend Video Book Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH45...
My new novels, FOREST – Love, Loss, Legend and The BIG PICTURE – A Camera, A Young Woman, An Uncompromising Ethic are available on Amazon http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003DS6LEU and as e-books at https://www.smashwords.com/profile/vi...
Read Reviews https://readersfavorite.com:book-revi...
Visit my publisher’s website for excerpts from, and buy links to my Eco-Fi series ECO-WARRIORS, that includes Spirit Bear, Eagleridge Bluffs, and Not Wonder More – Mad Maggie and the Mystery of the Ancients http://www.devinedestinies.com/?route...
More of my original photographs can be viewed, purchased, and shipped to you as GREETING CARDS; matted, laminated, mounted, framed, or canvas PRINTS; and POSTERS. Go to: http://www.redbubble.com/people/rodra...
View my flickr photostream at https://www.flickr.com/photos/7879102...
Or, My YouTube channel if you prefer photo videos accompanied by classical music
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsQV...
February 12, 2015
Les Edgerton has found his voice. Sure it is the condescending voice of an old man shouting at the neighborhood kids about the good old days all while trying in his mind to stay "hip."
I am not impressed with his style and find it painful to read.
With that said, I do have hope of learning something in this book and so I am pressing onward.
I think I should just get through it as quickly as possible, concentrating on the exercises and not the meaningless babble that tries to sell more Les Edgerton books and also trump the values of this one.
On page 15 he actually tells the reader that if they have trouble recognizing a good writing book this book is one. How many more lies must I endure on my quest to reach the end?
I have finished this book and it never got any better. I am sure Edgerton wrote this with the intention to help people and I am sure it can. The problem I had with it was that after I left the 3rd grade I went on to learn a little more about writing. Edgerton assumes that his reader has not.
The exercises had no redeeming value for me but I am sure they would for someone who has no idea how language works. Things like look at something you wrote and get rid of all the adjectives and adverbs is a blanket rule with a lot of flaws. For instance, to get rid of the adverbs is admirable and what a profession writer would do, but he would also then change the verbs to stronger verbs to get his point across.
E.g. He ran quickly equals He sprinted but He ran quickly does not equal He ran.
Instead of telling the reader to get rid of adverbs tell them and show them how to replace their verbs.
Finally, the way to get better at writing is not through reading how to write books as Edgerton suggests. The only tried and true way to get better at writing and find you voice is to write and do it often!
I am not impressed with his style and find it painful to read.
With that said, I do have hope of learning something in this book and so I am pressing onward.
I think I should just get through it as quickly as possible, concentrating on the exercises and not the meaningless babble that tries to sell more Les Edgerton books and also trump the values of this one.
On page 15 he actually tells the reader that if they have trouble recognizing a good writing book this book is one. How many more lies must I endure on my quest to reach the end?
I have finished this book and it never got any better. I am sure Edgerton wrote this with the intention to help people and I am sure it can. The problem I had with it was that after I left the 3rd grade I went on to learn a little more about writing. Edgerton assumes that his reader has not.
The exercises had no redeeming value for me but I am sure they would for someone who has no idea how language works. Things like look at something you wrote and get rid of all the adjectives and adverbs is a blanket rule with a lot of flaws. For instance, to get rid of the adverbs is admirable and what a profession writer would do, but he would also then change the verbs to stronger verbs to get his point across.
E.g. He ran quickly equals He sprinted but He ran quickly does not equal He ran.
Instead of telling the reader to get rid of adverbs tell them and show them how to replace their verbs.
Finally, the way to get better at writing is not through reading how to write books as Edgerton suggests. The only tried and true way to get better at writing and find you voice is to write and do it often!
November 18, 2013
This is the first non-fiction book I've reviewed, but I think it's a book worth reading by both writers and avid readers.
Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing is, as the name would suggest, a book on writing. I've read many books on creative writing, fiction specifically, but I noticed a few things about this book that really set it apart.
"Voice" is talked about a lot in writing, and writers are always encouraged to find a "voice". What Les Edgerton, a fantastic writer and writing teacher, shows is the number of not-so-obvious influences that tell us not to have our own voice. Everyone from your sixth grade English teacher to the iconic writers of the past and the plethora of creative writing books (and he makes his no exception, btw...) have been an influence on how to have an non-distinct, as Edgerton puts it, a "writerly" voice, or as author Tom Wolfe put it, the "beige voice."
In Finding Your Voice, Edgerton doesn't set out to teach you a new voice - using endearing humor and self-exercises, he helps you uncover a voice and a style that is the most natural to you. And what's more, he shows you, throughout the book, why that natural style you have is better than any other style that's been drummed into you throughout your life.
This book is good for writers, but I also have to say that if you're an avid reader, this book is a great read for you too. Much in this book helps you to understand the literary contexts of past writers, which can explain the great differences in styles between books written in the past and books written now. But, in the end, the focus is on writing.
Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing is, as the name would suggest, a book on writing. I've read many books on creative writing, fiction specifically, but I noticed a few things about this book that really set it apart.
"Voice" is talked about a lot in writing, and writers are always encouraged to find a "voice". What Les Edgerton, a fantastic writer and writing teacher, shows is the number of not-so-obvious influences that tell us not to have our own voice. Everyone from your sixth grade English teacher to the iconic writers of the past and the plethora of creative writing books (and he makes his no exception, btw...) have been an influence on how to have an non-distinct, as Edgerton puts it, a "writerly" voice, or as author Tom Wolfe put it, the "beige voice."
In Finding Your Voice, Edgerton doesn't set out to teach you a new voice - using endearing humor and self-exercises, he helps you uncover a voice and a style that is the most natural to you. And what's more, he shows you, throughout the book, why that natural style you have is better than any other style that's been drummed into you throughout your life.
This book is good for writers, but I also have to say that if you're an avid reader, this book is a great read for you too. Much in this book helps you to understand the literary contexts of past writers, which can explain the great differences in styles between books written in the past and books written now. But, in the end, the focus is on writing.
June 8, 2015
Which comes first, voice or craft?
In Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing, author Les Edgerton begins by blaming all the English teachers you had through elementary and secondary school for destroying your original voice.
Edgerton believes if you were allowed to just write “naturally”, not like how you were told to write and not like how you think a “writer” should write you’d have your original voice.
I thought learning how to write came first and voice came after that, and since it was all those English teachers who taught me how to write, including punctuation and grammar, I don’t think they’re really to blame if you can’t find your writing voice.
It appears the only people who are anxious about finding “their writing voice” are those who don’t write well. I advance the concept that once you learn how to write, and I mean actually put in those 10,000 hours to become reasonably adept at the craft, voice comes naturally.
And you know what? I think Edgerton believes that as well, because once I got past the idea this book was about magically finding your voice, I realized it was a book about how to write, and a solid one at that, and written in an easy, kind of folksy, non academic voice.
Edgerton has used the angst novice writers have about finding their voice as “a hook”, or as I use to explain to my sales staff, the USP – Unique Selling Proposition. This is to differentiate his “how to” book from all the rest.
And it worked, at least on me.
30
Video book reviews of self-published authors now at
Not Your Family, Not Your Friend Video Book Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH45...
In Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing, author Les Edgerton begins by blaming all the English teachers you had through elementary and secondary school for destroying your original voice.
Edgerton believes if you were allowed to just write “naturally”, not like how you were told to write and not like how you think a “writer” should write you’d have your original voice.
I thought learning how to write came first and voice came after that, and since it was all those English teachers who taught me how to write, including punctuation and grammar, I don’t think they’re really to blame if you can’t find your writing voice.
It appears the only people who are anxious about finding “their writing voice” are those who don’t write well. I advance the concept that once you learn how to write, and I mean actually put in those 10,000 hours to become reasonably adept at the craft, voice comes naturally.
And you know what? I think Edgerton believes that as well, because once I got past the idea this book was about magically finding your voice, I realized it was a book about how to write, and a solid one at that, and written in an easy, kind of folksy, non academic voice.
Edgerton has used the angst novice writers have about finding their voice as “a hook”, or as I use to explain to my sales staff, the USP – Unique Selling Proposition. This is to differentiate his “how to” book from all the rest.
And it worked, at least on me.
30
Video book reviews of self-published authors now at
Not Your Family, Not Your Friend Video Book Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH45...
April 16, 2020
Overall: 3.33
A very practical yet funny guide on being you on paper. Anyone taking up the craft or struggling with delivery should read it.
Cover: 3
A simple yet cute cover that could've been more enticing. I mostly believe are most unhelpful becausethe font almost gets lost in the background.
Writing: 5
Repetition can be out of place in a novel or maybe even in storied nonfiction, but this is a book teaching on a craft, and I believe that emphasis by repeating is a great tool to in teaching, particularly the brain to let go of autodestructive tendencies.
I have read criticism towards this author in the past which alleges that he uses his own work as example of how something should be done. This has been catalogued as self-serving and self-pronoting and authoritative. Like I said, it is a book on writing and I would expect anyone who writes a book on the craft to practice what they preach and as such would certainly have the authority to preach it.
Beyond that, this author comes across to me as anything but self-serving. The tone of the book is casual throughout and gives advice the way one would give to a friend. He jokes a lot. If you don't find it funny or take it seriously... well, that is your problem. Ok... #endrant.
Editorial: 2
I did find grammatical errors here and there, discounting the stuff he does on purpose as part of his style. Unless they are also intentional, it's unforgiveable they made it to print. Book (not story) structure was messed up as well, at least for the copy I got. Seen much worse, though. So I'll let it fly... sort of.
A very practical yet funny guide on being you on paper. Anyone taking up the craft or struggling with delivery should read it.
Cover: 3
A simple yet cute cover that could've been more enticing. I mostly believe are most unhelpful becausethe font almost gets lost in the background.
Writing: 5
Repetition can be out of place in a novel or maybe even in storied nonfiction, but this is a book teaching on a craft, and I believe that emphasis by repeating is a great tool to in teaching, particularly the brain to let go of autodestructive tendencies.
I have read criticism towards this author in the past which alleges that he uses his own work as example of how something should be done. This has been catalogued as self-serving and self-pronoting and authoritative. Like I said, it is a book on writing and I would expect anyone who writes a book on the craft to practice what they preach and as such would certainly have the authority to preach it.
Beyond that, this author comes across to me as anything but self-serving. The tone of the book is casual throughout and gives advice the way one would give to a friend. He jokes a lot. If you don't find it funny or take it seriously... well, that is your problem. Ok... #endrant.
Editorial: 2
I did find grammatical errors here and there, discounting the stuff he does on purpose as part of his style. Unless they are also intentional, it's unforgiveable they made it to print. Book (not story) structure was messed up as well, at least for the copy I got. Seen much worse, though. So I'll let it fly... sort of.
August 25, 2013
I loved the exercises in this book. Some of my favorites are to talk a walk or a drive as a character you are writing about, write a poem about your story and writing a satirical letter to your (probably imagined) critics.
Les did a great job explaining why voice is as important to your writing if not more so than all the technical rules you have read about writing in the past. You can tell that he cares about writing and reading a book from someone who cares about writing is just plain motivating.
The main part of the book is a good group of lessons on exercises and experiments you can to to discover your writer's voice. Not to be discounted though are the two chapters that in most books would be appendices. One chapter is all kinds of people in the publishing industry from authors to agents to publishers discussing voice. I had the highlighter and the pencil out to write in the margins of that whole chapter. The last chapter is a long reading list Les has put together on books he's found to be exceptionally helpful about writing. Those last two chapters are the why of voice and Les does a great job of telling the how.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to find the secret of how to make their writing distinct and interesting.
Les did a great job explaining why voice is as important to your writing if not more so than all the technical rules you have read about writing in the past. You can tell that he cares about writing and reading a book from someone who cares about writing is just plain motivating.
The main part of the book is a good group of lessons on exercises and experiments you can to to discover your writer's voice. Not to be discounted though are the two chapters that in most books would be appendices. One chapter is all kinds of people in the publishing industry from authors to agents to publishers discussing voice. I had the highlighter and the pencil out to write in the margins of that whole chapter. The last chapter is a long reading list Les has put together on books he's found to be exceptionally helpful about writing. Those last two chapters are the why of voice and Les does a great job of telling the how.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone looking to find the secret of how to make their writing distinct and interesting.
October 22, 2013
This book is a godsend for both the neophyte and seasoned writer. I've spent entirely too much money on writing craft books, all of which either rehash the same advice, or expound on techniques that could only work for a particular author. Les Edgerton's “Finding Your Voice” is practical, brilliant, and hands-down, the quintessential work on coming into your own as a scribe.
DO NOT hesitate to grab this book! It's consummate reference material for the serious writer.
Writers, listen: Our time is short, so I'll get straight to the goods. This is the best six bucks I've spent to date on a craft book, and I own them all. The other was “Hooked,” also by the same author.
Owning “Finding Your Voice” feels a bit like being in possession of a secret formula, truly. Highly recommended. A+++
DO NOT hesitate to grab this book! It's consummate reference material for the serious writer.
Writers, listen: Our time is short, so I'll get straight to the goods. This is the best six bucks I've spent to date on a craft book, and I own them all. The other was “Hooked,” also by the same author.
Owning “Finding Your Voice” feels a bit like being in possession of a secret formula, truly. Highly recommended. A+++
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews