Comments on: Ask the editor: 8 tips for finding your voice

By: Abbi Glines

Abbi Glines — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:05:07 +0000

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

Carol Anne — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:55:02 +0000

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

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 20:51:14 +0000

[...] 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

abc — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:19:02 +0000

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

Judith — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:51:06 +0000

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

Adaora — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:41:07 +0000

This is incredible! I really do appreciate this information.

By: kat magendie

kat magendie — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:21:45 +0000

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~

~Sia McKye~ — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 17:22:06 +0000

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

Morgan — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 11:45:42 +0000

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

Evelina — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:30:50 +0000

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!!