When new writers pick up a pen, or flip on the computer, it’s often with a sense of excitement, a racing of the heart, the unmistakable thrill of creation surging through their blood. Somewhere along the line they learned they had a story to tell. With the advent of the computer age, thousands flocked to their word processors with the dream of becoming a writer, and hopefully, one day, published.
Then reality sinks in. This is work! Who knew that High School English would not only come in handy, but also be necessary? And then there’s all the stuff that we’ve either forgotten, or never learned. Like the true workings of a gerund, exactly what a dangling participle is, or the proper use of similes and metaphors.
Aspiring authors can conquer these obstacles with a few well-selected books on grammar. E.B. White’s The Elements of Style is highly recommended. But what of personal style? What about finding your own true voice?
As writers, we can answer the questions, who, what, when, where, and how, with very little effort, it’s the bones of the story. But the why question, that is the elusive, all-powerful, voice-instilling question that eludes many authors, and could be the difference between having a work that is all right or just ‘good’, or a work that is awesome, powerful, and ready to gain attention.
During the course of writing that first novel, you’ll make every mistake known to literary man. It’s common, and part of the reason first books rarely make it into print. The first tale is the learning story, the one that you’ll use to discover where your talents lie, and what elements you need to strengthen.
Very soon you’ll discover that writing is more than just throwing prose on a page, describing in detail the events of your work, giving your characters depth, and following an outline, until you get to the words “the end”. You’ll learn there is such a thing called the ‘writer’s voice’ and you’ll begin the quest to discover yours.
Perhaps you’ll even venture into the wonderful world of critique groups and all they have to offer, or you’ll enroll in that exciting arena of the literary class and share your endeavors with your peers. No matter how you discover the craft, or who teaches you, in the end, there will only be you, the story, and the reader. Each is as important as the other, each a necessary entity for the experience.
Now you’ve begun the hunt to discover the power of your own voice. What will it sound like? How will it color your tale in the minds of those who read it? As you progress through your journey, you’ll learn the elemental truth that all stories are told through the heart and soul of the three-dimensional character you create. Only by being in tune with this fleeting persona can you truly master your own voice and write the tale of your heart.
How does a writer find that core, that fully developed character, and utilize it to show the story through their eyes? By closing our own eyes. As blind men develop their other senses to a higher degree than their seeing counterparts, so must author’s develop their own sense of the character.
When you write, close your eyes and imagine you are the character relating the tale. Place yourself in their position, with their history, with their motives and their desires. As you practice this skill, you’ll hone your awareness of relating to the reader through the hero or heroine in a way that will captivate their attention.
And here is where you discover the why? of the story. Does James walk into the saloon because he knows a the man who murdered his father is in there? That is the who and the what, but not the why. James walks into the saloon to seek retribution for his father’s murder. That is the why. If you write without attributing motive to the action, you’ll cheat the reader and yourself. Here are some examples of action without motive:
- Debby chugged the drink and stared glassy-eyed at the bartender.
The Why:
Debby chugged the drink, eager to escape her demons. Would the bartender give her another? Or kick her out the door?
- The van screeched to a halt and Jeremy shook his fist at the cab.
The Why:
Jeremy slammed on the brakes, heart thudding as he shook his fist at the cab. The imbecile could have cost him his job. His boss wouldn’t forgive him if he brought the van back dented.
- Jillian felt the strength in his arms and sighed with pleasure as he kissed her neck.
The Why:
Jillian sighed with pleasure as he kissed her neck. How strong he was. She could lose herself in that strength and fear would never touch her again.
When you write, remember to constantly ask yourself why a character does what they do. Don’t leave the reader in the dark. From a simple shiver to a volcanic eruption of rage, there must be a logical reason behind everything your character does.
If he’s suddenly shy around a beautiful woman, it needs to be explained. Was he a gawky kid and never dated much? Was he ever humiliated by a girl he had a crush on?
Is she afraid to fly in an airplane? Was she ever prone to nightmares about falling from the sky? Did she lose a loved one to a plane crash?
Answer the why of it, and you’ll create a story for the ‘keeper’ shelf!
