Emerging voices, new voices, fresh voices…
What do these things actually mean when it comes to book writing?
Many authors talk about honing their voice and finding their voice; making their story stand out from the various others on the shelf.
In this instance, I’m talking about the author voice, not the character voice or narrator voice.
A writer’s voice is the way his or her personality comes through on the page via word choice, sentence structure, punctuation, and tone. If done well, you get a glimpse into the author’s attitude, thoughts and feelings.
The good thing is, our unique voices are built from individual experiences and background. Stuck on what your ‘voice’ is? Take a step back and think about where you’ve lived, your unique family environment, pets, education etc.
For me, I write middle-grade manuscripts for children aged 9-12 years, filled with adventure, mystery, and sprinkles of magic. I also like to incorporate distinctly Australian animals, landscapes, and settings.
Part of this is because I spent time living on K’gari (then known as Fraser Island) and had a keen interest in the natural environment. I was filled with questions and would hotfoot it across the sand (it was a lot less ‘touristy’ back then) to get answers from the Ranger Station.
I like to weave interesting animal facts into my work, as it’s something I would have loved to have read as a child (and now, as an adult).
Similarly, I include non-verbal communication and Auslan into my books, as I grew up with Auslan as a second language.
Which brings me to my next point on voice; writing what you know.
Write what you know – or not
As the old saying goes: write what you know.
When writing, it’s recommended to focus on subjects where you possess some personal knowledge.
If you wish to expand beyond those boundaries, it’s a good idea to do your research.
“What about dragons?” you might ask. Okay, maybe not dragons. But when writing fantasy fiction in particular, you might encounter dragons, witches, ghosts and other, not exactly commonplace, beings. This is where the ‘writing what you know’ advice can be taken with a grain of salt.
For me, reading – and writing – is all about escapism. I’m happy to read about fantastical lands and characters; be transported to somewhere else entirely.
Writing what you know (i.e. lived experiences undertaking remote learning on the world’s largest sand island or communicating in Auslan) is perfectly fine, as is using your imagination to dream up whimsical and unique worlds.
Combining these two has allowed me to find my voice.
I hope one day, very soon, I can introduce middle-grade readers to my unique insights, voice, and even a fun (sometimes disgusting or surprising) animal fact…. or several!
Jayne McIntyre Author 