This is the second post in a three-post series on voice. The first is Are you courageous enough to find your voice? The last is Use voice to breathe life into nonfiction writing.
Voice is important to all genres of writing, but, according to Richard D. Bank, “In writing nonfiction, the voice is critical because the reader is asked to trust and believe that the material is true. The voice must be one of authority or at least be honest and believable .”
Writing about personal experiences makes you an authority—no one is better qualified to write about your feelings, emotions, and observations. Just make sure that the data about your topic is accurate, and verify your sources. For example, when I wrote about hiking across Spain, I verified the spelling of towns, distances, and historical background. At the time, I strove for accuracy without understanding that by doing so I was building trust in my readers. I just wanted to get the facts straight. I now understand that by creating this trust, I made it easier for my readers to accept my personal journey of discovery along the 500-mile path.
Voice, to me, must be more than authoritative. It must be revealing. It takes courage to write honestly and let your personality speak to the reader. Some authors do this naturally. I, on the other hand, struggle to let my writing persona out. I have found that writing in first person is not enough; there are many dull first-hand accounts.
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.” ~ Stephen King.
Read a lot. To help understand voice, I took Mr. King’s advice and read many nonfictions. From reading these narratives, I am learning what is a good voice and what is not. I find that writers who use a conversational style appear more approachable and likeable, and I want to read more. I also enjoy authors who use a more logical or “institutional voice.” My goal is to combine both of these in a way that keeps the reader’s interest.
Write a lot. In the past year, I have used this blog to develop my voice. I have used many tricks recommended by the experts: simple words, short sentences, original word use. I am striving for a conversational, but logical, style. Please let me know: Is it working? Are you interested? Can you see my personality through my writing?
Each nonfiction genre has characteristics that are almost requirements. As you read other authors, you not only learn techniques for voice, but get to see the subtleties that make all the difference in that class of books. To satisfy your readers, you need to incorporate these seamlessly into your work.
I write about travel in first person, present tense. I chose the present tense because, halfway through my first book, I realized that my story written in the past tense was stilted and aloof. Changing tenses helped me find my voice and make my story more personal and in-the-moment.
In Women of the Way, joy and camaraderie are threads that run throughout the narrative. In my subsequent books, I need to define my purpose for writing the book, and then weave that message from the beginning to the end. Having this common thread will strengthen my voice and make the flow and pace more interesting for my readers.
Writing visual descriptions can be difficult. Travel authors who do this successfully create elaborate mental images. They bring in all the senses and make you feel as if you are there experiencing it with them. I aim to use voice and descriptions to make my readers feel as if they are with me and seeing what I see. To be successful with this, I need to be honest and believable in my writing. I need to find my voice.
Has reading authors in your genre helped you find your voice? Tell us about it: leave a comment.
References:
- Writing Creative Nonfiction: Voice and Style
- Writing A Series, Finding Your Voice And Being A Hybrid Author With Zoe Sharp, a Joanna Penn interview with Zoe Sharp. First ten minutes are on voice.
- Find Your Voice by Richard D. Bank
- Two Tips for Finding a Nonfiction Voice
