The Craft of Creating Romance Novels: What Is Voice?by Katie Lovette The following appeared in the January issue of Smoke Signals, newsletter of the Smoky Mountain Romance Writers: Authors who write consistently develop their own voice. Most do not know when it happens or how they accomplished it. But eventually someone will read the work of an author and recognize who penned it by the voice of the piece. What is voice? Voice is the way an author's writing "sounds" to the reader. It is the tone the author uses to convey his character's story. The tone can be friendly and relaxed or proper and stern. The words can be common or elegant. The sentences might be short and choppy or long and flowing. However the way the story is written conveys the character's perception of his world and how the reader will "hear" the author's voice. Think about two of your favorite actors. For example, I will use a couple of mine, Adrian Paul as The Highlander and Brad Pitt as Tristan in Legends of the Fall. Both actors created their own distinct sound for their character. This sound was not only heard in the tone of their voice but also in the way they chose their words and formed sentences. The Highlander has a Scottish Brogue, which ensures that the viewer is convinced he came from Scotland. Though he has lived over 400 years, this brogue creeps up in the dialogue when someone is after his head. Tristan is somewhat educated but the screenwriter ensured he sounds as a farmer should. His words are common and his sentences are neither long nor elegant. Whether their faces are seen or not, we would not mistake one for the other. The differences heard happen because of their use of language and pronunciation. Voice is how the author allows the character to experience his or her fictional world. Developing a character's voice includes taking the time to understand him and his background. When this is completed, then start telling the story audibly as if the character were relaying the story to you. Once the character is "heard" then the voice is right and the time has come to commit the story to paper. What is the best way to begin developing your voice? Write. Write every day. Write stories. Keep a journal. It does not matter whether they are short or long. Unless you decide otherwise, no one will see the story except you. If someone made you angry at work, write about it. Express your opinion about any social issue you desire. In the journal you are allowed to disagree with family and friends and not worry whether or not their feelings are hurt. Over time you will discover whether you are comical, romantic, mysterious, or literary. Over time you will develop your own writing style and voice. Katie Lovette, a charter member of SMRW, is the author of Loving Care for Alzheimer's Patients.
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