Voice First: A Writer's Manifesto

by Sonya Huber

Though it is foundational to the craft of writing, the concept of voice is a mystery to many authors, and teachers of writing do not have a good working definition of it for use in the classroom. Written to address the vague and problematic advice given to writers to “find their voice,” Voice A Writer’s Manifesto recasts the term in the plural to give writers options, movement, and a way to understand the development of voice over time.

By redefining “voice,” Sonya Huber offers writers an opportunity not only to engage their voices but to understand and experience how developing their range of voices strengthens their writing. Weaving together in-depth discussions of various concepts of voice and stories from the author’s writing life, Voice First offers a personal view of struggles with voice as influenced and shaped by gender, place of origin, privilege, race, ethnicity, and other factors, reframing and updating the conversation for the twenty-first century. Each chapter includes writing prompts and explores a different element of voice, helping writers at all levels stretch their concept of voice and develop a repertoire of voices to summon.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Crafts, Memoir

248 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2022

About the author

Sonya Huber is an associate professor of creative writing at Fairfield University. Her work has appeared in literary journals including Creative Nonfiction, Fourth Genre, Topic, Passages North, Main Street Rag, Literary Mama, Kaleidoscope, Hotel Amerika, Sports Literate, and other; in anthologies including Learning to Glow (University of Arizona Press), Young Wives' Tales (Seal Press), Bare Your Soul (Seal Press), Reading for the Maternally Inclined: The Best of Literary Mama (Seal Press), Mama Ph.D. (Rutgers University Press), and Campus, Inc. (Prometheus Books); in periodicals including The Chronicle of Higher Education, Psychology Today, In These Times, Sojourner, and Earth Island Journal; and elsewhere.

Reviews

[Julia Barclay-Morton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must read for writers and for anyone teaching writing. Huber takes us through the many voices we all have within us and gives great exercises that are useful for beginners to advanced writers. She is aware there is no "one" voice but many, and in so doing frees up the reader (writer) to explore all of what they can do with their writing. Spoilers: it's a lot more than you think. Highly recommend!

[Rachel Teferet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific craft book with a lot of really great prompts and advice. I especially appreciated the chapter on race and appropriation.

[Kira Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book as part of a class project, and it has been incredibly helpful to me as a writer. Voice is one of those tricky things to pin down and I’ve never really come across anything that could articulate exactly what it was and how to use it. This book fills that gap wonderfully—it focuses on the very specific topic of voice and isn’t like anything I’ve come across in my (unofficial) quest to read every book on writing that’s ever been written.

Huber’s book is chock full of useful insights into voice—what it is, what shapes it, and how we can use it to best effect in our writing. She dispells a few unhelpful myths (including the idea that you only have one “true” voice as a writer, or that voice is a static thing) and replaces them with knowledge you can use to start developing and intentionally using the types of voices you have. For example: Huber mentions in the first chapter also that our voices are particularly susceptible to input from the world around us, and when we’ve been told all our lives that we’re “doing it wrong,” we become self-conscious of our voices and disconnect from them. But that process can be reversed, too, with a little intentionality and seeking support on our end.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a writing instruction book without exercises, and this book includes plenty for those who want to develop their voices more but aren’t sure where to start experimenting. Huber includes periodic “try this” sections throughout the book with exercises to help you practice the principles she talks about. These are quite inventive and I’ve had a lot of fun and insight with them myself.

Anyway. This book has been delightful! Definitely would recommend it to anyone who is as confused about the mechanics of voice as I was.

[Debbie Hagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

After returning from yet another dismal, uninspiring writing workshop, I dug around in my personal library and found Sonya Huber's book, "Voice First." I'd bought it a year ago (when it first came out), and, for reasons I unfathomable now, I set it aside and read something else.

Sonya Huber's "Voice First," is, as the book's subtitle suggests, a writing manifesto. Yet, that makes it sound like a treaty...or rules that must be strictly. While the book is about "voice" and how our words sound on the page, Huber coaxes readers to explore what inspires and motivates us to write. She helps writers explore the real story and how to breathe life into it.

One of the things I most love about this book is that it feels honest and down-to-earth. Huber talks about her own writing struggles, challenges, and disappointments, which is, of course, is something everyone who pursues writing shares. Of course, Huber tells us also about her writing successes too and guides with inspiration--how to dig for the deeper story, the truth, and discover what you really want (and perhaps need) to say.

"Voice First" is a rather slim book, just over 200 pages. Yet, it feels jam-packed with terrific ideas and prompts. Every chapter has a number of "Try this" sections that reinforce Huber's ideas. Her prompts are fun, practical, meaningful, and motivating. For me, they led to some new, unexpected ideas.

If I were still teaching creative writing, I would assign Huber's book. It goes straight to the point and offers fun, practical exercises that, I believe, students would love.

[Margaret Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers so much incredible insight into voice, demystifying the concept and giving writers a toolset for blending together many voices and layers of voices to create strong, compelling, and evocative pieces of writing. Sonya's investigation into voice is remarkable because she takes the time to delve into how voice is and, more importantly, can be shaped to include and acknowledge the diverse landscape of writers, such as disabled writers and writers of color, and how voice functions and can be utilized across genres.
I was especially enthralled with the idea of letting voice show up and govern where the work needs and wants to go before the writer decides on piece structure. I am now feeling so empowered to take my essays- and memoir-in-progress and choose from Sonya's ingenious prompts and approaches to "try on" new voices and structures and see what makes certain sections as sharp as they can be in their arguments, narratives, and resonance with readers. This is a book I anticipate referring back to at multiple points throughout my career and one that all writers need to read.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonya Huber's Voice First: A Writer's Manifesto is a really excellent book, and I'd recommend it for writers, of course, but also for all teachers and folks who care about communication. While "manifesto" is in the subtitle, what I appreciate most about this book is that Huber forgoes the concept of rules, and instead focuses on exploration, which really spoke to me, as if she were giving me (as writer and teacher) permission to find a multitude of voices. Totally recommended!

[Brigitte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really wonderful book filled with insights about what voice is and how to improve voice in any kind of writing. The exercises and prompts are really useful. I not only got lots of ideas on how to improve my own writing, but I also got ideas on how to teach voice to students.

[Eunhae Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading gives you access. Writing gives you power. Power comes from a place of love and action; you cannot inspire students to places you have not witnessed and been. I’m humbled by her teachings and urge all writing teachers to read it (especially if you identify as white).

[Carole Duff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent writing craft book on a difficult topic. Huber walks the reader through the various permutations of voice and offers many helpful “Try This” exercises. Yes, I will.

[Kami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dry but insightful. Lots of valuable exercises.