A couple of weeks ago, I went to another local SCBWI event. Editor Martha Mihalick (from Greenwillow Books) gave us her take on the elusive voice.

I think every writer in the room hoped she’d tell us exactly how to write an amazing voice that will make an agent or editor want to sign our book immediately. Aren’t we all looking for that secret formula to writing a perfect voice? Of course that didn’t happen because it can’t be taught.

Instead, Martha gave us a quick run-down of the elements of voice that we must pay attention to when writing:

1. Language: vocabulary/dialect, syntax (long vs. short paragraphs, etc.), rhythm (variation is key), and tone (how something is said)  
2. Structure: how sentences are put together (long vs. short chapters, explicit vs. understated statements, etc.) 
3. Imagery/Themes: metaphors/similes, symbolism, emotional themes for characters or story in general, and world-view (your book’s perspective)

Then she read passages from published books so we could learn from good examples:

Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

My Heart is Like a Zoo by Michael Hall (loved this one!)

Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlene Kennedy

Masque of the Red Death by Bethany Griffin (forthcoming)

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

The voices in each of these stories are different, but they all had one thing in common: they were confident. This was my biggest takeaway from the event–an exemplary voice has confidence, authority and authenticity. If the voice doesn’t sound confident, readers won’t believe the narrator can tell the story well.

I never really thought about voice that way before, but she’s right. If a voice lacks confidence, what reason do you have to read on?

The way to get voice right is to listen to people around you, analyze successful voices in literature, and practice. I know what I’ll be doing as I revise my WIP!

Have you mastered voice in your writing?