Voice--the number one thing literary agents look for in a manuscript. But what even is voice? And how do you know if you have it?
Understanding voice
Voice is the distinct fingerprint that sets one writer apart from another, the soulful resonance that echoes through the pages of a well-crafted story.
At its core, voice encapsulates the unique personality, tone, and style of a writer. It's the heartbeat of a narrative, the essence that breathes life into characters, dialogue, and prose. Voice is not just about what is said, but how it's said—the rhythm, cadence, and word choice that infuse a story with authenticity and resonance.
Voice is inseparable from perspective or point of view. If you were writing a middle grade book about going to the zoo, the voice of your child protagonist would sound very different from their mother’s. The child might be enchanted by the animals, imitate them, long for cotton candy, pick up ticket stubs from the ground for the collection hidden in a shoebox under their bed. They wouldn’t use complex words or an adult vocabulary. Remember Dawson’s Creek? The voice of that show was teenagers speaking in a sophisticated way that was almost unbelievable.
If you were writing the same zoo story but for adult fiction, the mother’s voice might worry about whether her child is having a good time or that they’ll get ice cream all over their shirt adding to the mounting pile of laundry that awaits her when she gets home. A grocery list might fleetingly breeze through her thoughts. Maybe she played hooky from work and is scared she might run into someone she knows.
Now add the writer’s unique tone and style to those stories and you’ve got voice.
Last week, Michele Oberoi wrote the blog post How working with a literary agent transformed my writing. If you read her post and then read this one, you’ll notice that her literary voice is different from mine.
finding your voice
For aspiring writers, discovering one's voice involves introspection, experimentation, and a willingness to embrace vulnerability. Here are some tips to help you find your voice:
Read Widely: Explore different genres, authors, and writing styles. Pay attention to how each writer crafts their narrative and expresses their unique voice. But be careful not to imitate another author’s voice, a common mistake for new writers. “All of us agents have read a ton of books. And if we read a manuscript that just feels too much like something we've already read, it's probably a little bit more difficult for us to [sell.] It's probably not going to be something that we can work on effectively. We need fresh.” No one can write like you, so be sure to write like you.
Write Freely: Don't be afraid to let your voice flow uninhibitedly onto the page. Write without self-censorship, allowing your true voice to emerge organically. Maybe you have a comedic style of writing, even when treating serious subjects. Who knows? Unleash your real thoughts and words and see what happens.
Embrace Authenticity: Your voice is a reflection of who you are as a person. Embrace your quirks, idiosyncrasies, and life experiences—they are the building blocks of your unique voice and of your perspective. Maybe you grew up in a household where food equaled love and your authentic voice can’t help sneaking food analogies into your narrative. Or perhaps you have a different cultural background, and this informs how you see the world? Whoever you are, embrace it.
Experiment with Perspective: Try writing from different perspectives—first person, third person, omniscient narrator. Each perspective lends a distinct voice to your storytelling. Find what feels comfortable to you, especially as a new writer. This doesn’t mean you can’t try other points of view throughout your writing career but if you’re trying to find your voice, go with what feels natural for now. Once you’ve got your literary voice nailed down, try it out with different points of view.
Seek Feedback: Share your writing with trusted friends, writing groups, mentors, or—ahem—our literary agents. Their feedback can offer valuable insights into the strength and authenticity of your voice.
Writing with voice
Once you've discovered your voice, the next step is to wield it with intention and finesse. Here are some strategies to help you write with voice:
Develop Character Voice: Each character in your story should have a distinct voice that reflects their personality, background, and motivations. Pay attention to their dialogue, mannerisms, and inner thoughts to bring them to life.
Play with Language: Experiment with language to create a unique voice for your narrative. Use vivid imagery, figurative language, and wordplay to imbue your writing with depth and texture.
Set the Tone: Your voice sets the tone for your story—whether it's humorous, melancholic, suspenseful, or lyrical. Establishing a consistent tone throughout your narrative helps to immerse readers in the world you've created.
Be Authentic: Stay true to your voice, even if it means taking creative risks or defying conventional norms. Authenticity resonates with readers and lends credibility to your writing.
Revise and Refine: Writing with voice is a continual process of revision and refinement. Fine-tune your prose, dialogue, and narrative style to enhance the overall coherence and impact of your voice.
Do literary agents really want voice?
Yes.
Literary agent Stacey Kondla says, “Typically the first thing that stands out to me is voice. I just want a voice that will suck me into the manuscript. And unfortunately, it's not really something that can be described. I mean, a person either clicks with your writing voice or they don't.”
“The discoverability of new voices is really hard. That's made my job a lot harder in the last year. I would say what [publishers] are looking for and what I, by association, am looking for is a really standout idea with a voice to match,” adds literary agent Alyssa Eisner Henkin.
In creative writing, voice stands as a testament to the individuality and artistry of the writer. It's a dynamic force that breathes life into characters, evokes emotions in readers, and leaves an indelible imprint on the literary landscape. So, embrace your voice, wield it with confidence, and let it soar through the realms of imagination.
Happy writing!
P.S.: Did you know our literary agents offer valuable insights into voice? They can help you bring out and refine your literary voice through our group coaching programs. Find your coach today.
P.P.S: Have you joined our Facebook community: The Write Place? If not, come on over. You’ll find some voice-related exercises posted there to help you zero in on your voice.
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