Understanding Voice in Fiction

In this episode of the Write it Scared podcast, we dig deep into the concept of 'voice', an often ambiguous term that confounds many writers. 

Voice is a unique blend of the author's own perspective, their narrative choices, and their characters' personalities. 

I offer actionable advice on how to discover and refine one's author's voice, choose the right narrator, and develop compelling character voices. 

This episode is a comprehensive guide to mastering the intricate layers of voice in fiction writing. It includes practical examples and references to resources like James Scott Bell's book Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing.

00:00 Unlocking Your Unique Author's Voice

01:32 Diving Deep into the Craft of Writing Voice

03:07 Exploring the Layers of Voice in Writing

03:22 Mastering Your Author's Voice

08:35 Navigating the Narrator's Voice

14:59 Crafting Distinct Character Voices

22:03 Final Takeaways and Recommended Resources for Writers

Resources:

Recommended Reading: 

Dialogue: The Art of Verbal Action For the Page, Stage, and Screen by Robert McKee

The Anatomy of Story by John Truby, pages 310-319

Voice: The Secret Power of Great Writing by James Scott Bell

Questions to define your character's personality, attitude, and attributes which will define their voice from James Scott Bell’s Voice: The Secret Power to Great Writing 

“What is your character’s dominant impression? What adjective describes their personality, and what noun describes who they are in the story’s world? 

What do they look like? How do they think they look? How do they feel about their appearance? 

What is their basic background?

Where did they grow up? How did their caregivers treat them?

What were the economic conditions? 

What’s their level of education?

What are their hobbies, likes, dislikes, and general interests?

What major life-altering events occurred in their formative years? Bell specifically says sixteen, but that’s too narrow for me. I like: What significant events shaped the worldview they hold in the story present? 

What do they desire (yearn for) more than anything in the world? What hole inside them do they desperately want to fill? What do they think will fill it?”

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