How to determine your Voice

Corine La Font, Contributor

As a writer or author, one of the common terms or phrases you would hear is 'your voice'. If you are pitching your work to a traditional publishing house or seeking a book deal, one of the many questions you will be asked is 'What is your voice?'

This question has nothing to do with the singing competition, 'The Voice', that Tessanne Chin so graciously won in 2013, but when I think about it, there are some synergies that I will share.

Let's first identify what is meant by the writer's voice. A definition can be a challenge to contain as its use is so fluid and flexible. A writer's voice can simply be interpreted as the way you express yourself whether orally or in print. The way you gesticulate, your body language, the words and phrases you use, the context within which you express those thoughts and actions is Your Voice. It is unique to you. On many occasions, you may try to emulate others in their writing style and approach, in this case, you are really not exacting your voice.

Learning from others is great, but you have to be mindful not to lose yourself while doing so. As with Tessanne, she never lost herself. That was very clear to me. She stayed true to who she is, where she is from and her values and beliefs. She never became someone else even though she was tutored under the best mentors and surrounded by the best voices, she stayed grounded, and that is what I mean when I say do not lose yourself when learning from others.

STANDING OUT

Just like the singing competition, 'The Voice', many editors, agents and publishing houses are looking for new voices when it comes to writing. A voice that would stand out, be unique and capture the hearts of many - varied age groups, cultural backgrounds, ethnicity and locations.

The challenge is then to find your voice. How do you do this when you are heavily influenced by what you have read, seen, or heard on TV, movies, the Internet, and radio? How do you know what is real from unreal? Honestly, I can't think of a specific approach, but the key is to listen keenly to what others may say about you. That odd comment that you may have never expected. You know, the comments that make you think, take a step back.

Another approach is to write how you honestly feel about things that matter to you. It can be social issues, political, or global. Keep a journal and write down your honest thoughts, even if you need to use expletives to express yourself, do that. Be warned, that should you take your work beyond the journal, be prepared to not be liked. I think many persons just conform to a writing style that would be suitable for appropriate audiences; you know, like those ratings for the movies - PG 13 and so on, but what some of you really want to do is more along the rated R and that's OK. It only means that the work you produce is meant for a certain type of audience and that's why knowing Your Voice is linked directly to knowing your target audience.

I have read many manuscripts that are rated R or even triple X and the thought does cross my mind, as I am sure it would you, how can this particular author write such words? They look so innocent. Yes, it happens and that's just being human, but in my position, I can't be judgemental and categorise anyone based on how or what they write. It's their voice and that's how they wish to express their inner thoughts and feelings.

The other side of that temptation to be judgemental is to be left in wonder and amazement at the depth of an author's expression. The careful use of words to convey exactly what they mean, especially those who write poetry. I am left with a feeling of pride and a sense that there is good in the world when I see work like that coming to me. It says there is hope and vast potential that just needs to be harnessed and packaged well. The same hope that carried Tessanne through to be the winner of 'The Voice', even though at the beginning she needed that extra nudge from Shaggy to step out in faith.

So I say to you, step out in faith, be yourself, express yourself in the way only you can. Be prepared for the fallout from some circles, but know that the other shapes are standing by to cheer you on!

Corine La Font is a self-publishing, online marketing and virtual events specialist and consultant. She is also an award-winning publishing resource in the 2013 Small Business Book Awards. Get a copy of her book at http://amzn.to/TFHQka and tune in to her radio programme at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/helpdeskja. She can be reached at corine@helpdeskja.com.