Comments on: Ask the editor: 8 tips for finding your voice http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:35:03 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Abbi Glines http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1646 Abbi Glines Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:05:07 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1646 Wonderful advice for someone who can't grasp the voice concept. I've always written as if I were talking. Knowing your voice and loving your voice is so very important if you want publishers to love your voice :) Wonderful advice for someone who can’t grasp the voice concept. I’ve always written as if I were talking. Knowing your voice and loving your voice is so very important if you want publishers to love your voice :)

]]> By: Carol Anne http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1636 Carol Anne Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:55:02 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1636 This is great advice, Alan. I'm currently working on my debut novel and I find that listening to music helps me develop the voices of my characters. I never fail to be fascinated by the writing process! This is great advice, Alan. I’m currently working on my debut novel and I find that listening to music helps me develop the voices of my characters. I never fail to be fascinated by the writing process!

]]> By: The Big Bad Book Blog » Blog Archive » Walk the Line: Seven Guidelines on Genre and Market Trends http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1467 The Big Bad Book Blog » Blog Archive » Walk the Line: Seven Guidelines on Genre and Market Trends Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:51:14 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1467 [...] Be passionate about your genre. The last thing you need to do is pick a ‘popular’ genre that you really could care less about and try to write that genre. Readers can sniff out ignorance and apathy from a mile away. Especially if it’s nonfiction, but most certainly in fiction as well. If science-fiction or paranormal romance or political thrillers aren’t your cup of tea, don’t try to write them because they’re ‘hot’ or selling well. Read Alan Rinzler’s “Finding Your Voice”: http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/ [...] […] Be passionate about your genre. The last thing you need to do is pick a ‘popular’ genre that you really could care less about and try to write that genre. Readers can sniff out ignorance and apathy from a mile away. Especially if it’s nonfiction, but most certainly in fiction as well. If science-fiction or paranormal romance or political thrillers aren’t your cup of tea, don’t try to write them because they’re ‘hot’ or selling well. Read Alan Rinzler’s “Finding Your Voice”: http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/ […]

]]> By: abc http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1075 abc Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:19:02 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1075 Hi. Just checking in. I like what you say about not being afraid to write dialogue the way people really speak. I have also heard a lot of argument about that from other "editors." Can you speak to the argument a bit just so we all have a little more perspective on your point. Hi. Just checking in. I like what you say about not being afraid to write dialogue the way people really speak.

I have also heard a lot of argument about that from other “editors.”

Can you speak to the argument a bit just so we all have a little more perspective on your point.

]]> By: Judith http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1002 Judith Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:51:06 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-1002 I had the experience recently where a girlfriend read one of my stories, for which I had just received recognition for, aloud. I was expecting a glorifying experience, but got something quite different. My words, carefully chosen as they were, sounded foreign coming from someone else. The reader wasn't replicating the tempo that was in my head, she didn't emphasize the passages correctly, my words became something else entirely. It stunned me. I had read aloud to myself before, so was able to fix any false sounding passages, but apparently that is not enough. Now I get my girlfriend to read whole pages for me. I make her a margarita or bowl of brownies, and she's willing to give me her time. It's quite the deal for both of us. I had the experience recently where a girlfriend read one of my stories, for which I had just received recognition for, aloud. I was expecting a glorifying experience, but got something quite different. My words, carefully chosen as they were, sounded foreign coming from someone else. The reader wasn’t replicating the tempo that was in my head, she didn’t emphasize the passages correctly, my words became something else entirely. It stunned me. I had read aloud to myself before, so was able to fix any false sounding passages, but apparently that is not enough. Now I get my girlfriend to read whole pages for me. I make her a margarita or bowl of brownies, and she’s willing to give me her time. It’s quite the deal for both of us.

]]> By: Adaora http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-991 Adaora Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:41:07 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-991 This is incredible! I really do appreciate this information. This is incredible! I really do appreciate this information.

]]> By: kat magendie http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-990 kat magendie Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:21:45 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-990 What a great blog to stumble across from Angie GUmbo Writer's site! Some people say I have a "unique voice" - well, I think we all do -- it's just until we really write without over thinking it or trying to write like someone else or worrying about the "editor on our shoulder" watching us - when we write what we'd like to read, or what gives us joy...well, all the cliches and etcetera! I "found" my voice by writing and writing and as I wrote and wrote, I became more confident in my own words and how I strung them together and how they were ME and Mine....the clouds cleared, a path was opened -- it is quite a beautiful thing. What a great blog to stumble across from Angie GUmbo Writer’s site!

Some people say I have a “unique voice” - well, I think we all do — it’s just until we really write without over thinking it or trying to write like someone else or worrying about the “editor on our shoulder” watching us - when we write what we’d like to read, or what gives us joy…well, all the cliches and etcetera! I “found” my voice by writing and writing and as I wrote and wrote, I became more confident in my own words and how I strung them together and how they were ME and Mine….the clouds cleared, a path was opened — it is quite a beautiful thing.

]]> By: ~Sia McKye~ http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-978 ~Sia McKye~ Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:22:06 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-978 Alan, I've never had a problem with finding my voice. It's distinctive. Having said that, I will say that I've always done #1. When I'm doing a new story, or working on a problem with the current one, I talk it while driving or walking, or to one of my Great Danes while we walk--they think I'm wonderful. I come from a long line of family oral storytellers, which helps. Talking to others about my story, yes you do feel somewhat self-conscious, but you get over it. I enjoy your blog. :-) Alan, I’ve never had a problem with finding my voice. It’s distinctive. Having said that, I will say that I’ve always done #1. When I’m doing a new story, or working on a problem with the current one, I talk it while driving or walking, or to one of my Great Danes while we walk–they think I’m wonderful. I come from a long line of family oral storytellers, which helps. Talking to others about my story, yes you do feel somewhat self-conscious, but you get over it.

I enjoy your blog. :-)

]]> By: Morgan http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-975 Morgan Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:45:42 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-975 I am blessed with 1,500 acres of woods and lakes behind my house. I take long (daily) walks or rides with a mini-cassette recorder and dictate to myself through each of my character's voice. It didn't take me long to figure out how to distinguish each individual character and find the proper slang or mannerisms to make them different and unique to the story. Morgan I am blessed with 1,500 acres of woods and lakes behind my house. I take long (daily) walks or rides with a mini-cassette recorder and dictate to myself through each of my character’s voice. It didn’t take me long to figure out how to distinguish each individual character and find the proper slang or mannerisms to make them different and unique to the story.

Morgan

]]> By: Evelina http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-974 Evelina Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:30:50 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-974 To find the voices of my characters I talk with people that are traveling on the same buss as I do. (In Sweden it's really common for everyone to take the buss) There I find the different voices! I do this because all of my friends, including me, talks the same, so, to find what your locking for: ask strangers!! To find the voices of my characters I talk with people that are traveling on the same buss as I do. (In Sweden it’s really common for everyone to take the buss) There I find the different voices! I do this because all of my friends, including me, talks the same, so, to find what your locking for: ask strangers!!

]]> By: Matthew Dryden http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-973 Matthew Dryden Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:06:09 +0000 http://www.alanrinzler.com/blog/2009/03/22/ask-the-editor-8-tips-for-finding-your-voice/#comment-973 I completely agree that writers need to start talking aloud to really understand their voice. My writing improved exponentially once I started performing spoken word poetry - before that point, reading my aloud really sounded awkward. I think that once I felt confident reading aloud, I found more that I was writing with more confidence. I completely agree that writers need to start talking aloud to really understand their voice. My writing improved exponentially once I started performing spoken word poetry - before that point, reading my aloud really sounded awkward.

I think that once I felt confident reading aloud, I found more that I was writing with more confidence.

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