Voice & Style

Elements of Fiction Writing

by Johnny Payne

Voice and style are tangible as air, and just as real. Readers hear "voice" in the overall sound of your story and in the thoughts and words of your characters. They sense "style" in the way you pull these currents together, creating the magnetism that unifies all the other elements of your fiction. Your voice, your style will make readers remember you and seek out your work.
Contrary to popular belief, you can learn the techniques behind voice and style. You can give your characters unique voices and develop a writing style all your own.
You'll learn through practical, instructive narrative; through examples as entertaining as they are informative; and through challenging exercises.

Genres: Writing, Reference, Nonfiction

176 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1995

About the author

Johnny Payne is a novelist, poet, and dramatist. he is a recent gold medal winner of the Benjamin Franklin IBPA award in Horror. His novels include The Hard Side of the River, the forthcoming Confessions of a Gentleman Killer, Bedfellows, Silver Dagger, Second Chance, La Muerte de Papi, Vampire Girl, North of Patagonia, Kentuckiana. Books of poetry are Heaven of Ashes, and Vassal.

Payne writes novels in various genres. His most recent novels are about slavery and a serial killer. He is currently writing a fantasy novel, Man of Granite. He will be writing a blog on GoodReads.

Follow him on Instagram:
paynejohnny7858

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Voice is "the overall sound of your story and in the thoughts and words of your characters."(back flap) Style is "the voice's means of expression." (p.1) We learn the difference between the narrative voice, dramatic voice and the authorial voice. We learn about atmosphere and tone, and about voice in dialogue. We also discuss dialect and voice. Through examples the author brings the abstract of voice into the concrete. This book is good for both the novice and the seasoned writer.

[Devon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Previously I've read generic books on how to write, which included chapters on Voice and Style. What I expect from an entire book devoted to this topic is more depth. This book doesn't go beyond the scope of what can be found in more compacted form elsewhere. The extra length seems to come from the author's frequent personal anecdotes and meandering writing style.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I learned nothing from this book. Such a bummer, because I'm always up for learning something. This book was a little to random and abstract for me. I wanted good solid advice.

[Devon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good teaching tool for writers who enjoy writing fiction.

[Nathan Daniels · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful.

[Cate Bartholomew · Rating 4 out of 5]

An in-depth analysis of the writer's voice. Filled with excellent examples from a variety of works and a nice cross-section of authors, this book takes on a potentially confusing and boring topic and makes it interesting and informative. Each chapter ends with exercises for finding or honing the writer's voice. A good reference for all writers.

[Kimberly Karalius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn’t as helpful as I remembered :(

[Kioyte · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a writer, I can struggle with voice and sometimes person. This help provide some direction in voice.

[Mark Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best, most succinct and clearest books on the art of writing. Goes through many categories of literary technique, used both for fiction and nonfiction. Good study book.