How did you find your particular voice for writing? Was it something that gradually popped into your head? Or, was it influenced by what you read/watched/listened to?
For me, I would like to think it was a mixture of both.
Many many many decades ago, back when I was 1} the age of my son and 2} still had a head full of hair, my particular voice was semi-clean humor. I always had fun doing imitations and parodies of commercials and songs, and although I never wrote anything down (I kick myself with high heels over the years because of that faux pas), I was still a interesting person to be around.
So as the decades flew by, my particular voice gradually changed. No long was semi-clean humor the norm. Instead, the norm became a mixture of sarcasm and what I like to call "sick puppy dog" humor. I won't really elaborate on what "sick puppy dog" humor was other than to point out that a good chunk of late 90's/early 2000's comedy on pay cable was pretty much like that.
Eventually, that fell by the wayside and for the next decade or so, the voice fell silent. I'm not really sure why it did, but if I had to venture a guess, I would say that real world responsibilities took precedence over enlightening the world with my special humor.
Let's try this again.
By late 2005, certain events conspired to create the perfect storm, which brought my voice back with a vengeance. From 2006 thru 2009, I ran roughshod over everyone and everything as I explored different styles, different emotions and different genres in an attempt to find that one voice for my writing. In one notable stretch, I concentrated heavily on writing sexually provocative stories. Some were average, like this one on my adult blog. Others, like my short story trilogy, although not squeaky clean, were moderately and tastefully suggestive. And one can't forget my commercial debut that found the happy medium within the proper context. In another short stretch, I added a healthy dose of violence to the volatile mix of sexual heat.
Still, there was something that wasn't quite kosher with that particular voice. So off I went in search of yet another voice that I could call my own. One that had that proper balance of semi-explicit sex combined with a sensible does of violence. It took me a few years, but I believe I found that particular voice that makes my writing sing.
The best way I can describe my voice is to show you an example of it. A few years ago I was trying to nail a synopsis for a novella original titled "A Shadow Warrior's Redemption", so I posted a 1st draft on my adult blog for people to peruse and critique at their leisure. This, my friends, is the proper beginning of my writing voice: a healthy mixture of sex, violence, religion and fantasy, aka non-traditional paranormal (if there is such a thing).
The inspiration for this post came from one of the last hits that The Moody Blues had in the 80's. Think of it as a little nudge towards some deep thought on how you became you as a writer.
(c) 2014 by G.B. Miller. All Rights Reserved.
I guess my voice came from what I read and the movies I watched. Clean, straightforward, and at a good pace.
ReplyDeleteAlex: That sounds pretty cool and it sounds like it matches your personality as well.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really a writer, but I do think I have a voice when I write anything (blog, emails.) I like to keep a sense of humor, so I hope that comes across.
ReplyDeleteLynn: A sense of humor is good.
ReplyDeleteMy voice tends to be a lot different for blogging and e-mails as opposed to writing. Blogging is a little all over the place (as you're no doubt aware) but my e-mails tend to fall on the snarky snide as of late, which sometimes can be a bad thing.
It's been really interesting reading blogs from so many writers over the past few months ... I'd never thought of voice in writing before which I suppose tells me that everyone I've been reading have been so good at what they do that you don't notice the voice ... like you don't notice someone acting if they're totally convincing. Well done y'all .... But I've never thought about my own writing voice either - it tends to be careful - avoiding contention at all costs until sometimes when I'm tired that side of me escapes and I've hit the send button without editing - perhaps that's the real voice lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post GB - I'll be paying attention in future.
Fil
Fil’s Place - Old songs and Memories
My voice hasn't changed since puberty haha
ReplyDeleteFil: Sounds interesting. I'm curious though, if your songwriting voice is the same as your normal writing voice, or are they completely different.
ReplyDeleteBearman: A manly soprano, eh?
It was interesting to read about your journey of self-discovery as a writer, George. I must check out your books and other blogs a bit more! ☺ As a child, I wrote dark, dramatic plays and short stories. Now, I mostly write memoirs, reality-based fiction, travelogues and a smattering of silly poetry.
ReplyDeleteDebbie: I didn't write much at all while growing up. The bulk of my wit was verbal. Still is to a larger degree.
ReplyDeleteReality based fiction sounds cool. Definitely something worth looking into.
I started writing when I could pick up a pen :)
ReplyDeleteM: Betcha early stuff was pure golden gibberish....:D
ReplyDeleteWhen I was in fourth grade my grandmother handed me a diary and a fountain pen and told me to write. When we went to visit she expected to see the diary and make sure we were writing on a regular basis. It was really important to her. My voice has just grown up with me thanks to her. She died before the advent of the internet, but I'm sure she'd love the idea of blogs. Actually I love the idea of blogs. I have met people from all over the world because of it.
ReplyDeleteLisa: That sounds very cool. I started writing very late in my life, mostly strange parodies that went absolutely nowhere.
ReplyDeleteI really didn't get into the swing of things with my writing until I started blogging in 2008, and like you, I've met a lot of interesting people over the years (like yourself) because of it.