What is Voice?
by MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.DJust as each of us has a unique physical voice, with individual intonations, inflections, and pronunciation styles, so does a writer have his own unique writing voice. From the point of view of speech, voice is that outer sound of timbre and tone that indicates to our outer ears that a particular person is speaking. From the point of view of writing, voice is that inner sound of timbre and tone picked up by the reader's inner ear when he is reading a piece of writing.
Voice in speech is what makes a person recognizable to us even though we may not see that person. Voice in writing is what makes a writer recognizable to us even though we may not know that he or she is the author of what we are reading.
Voice is something that occurs naturally, both in speech and in writing, and cannot be feigned or forced. Too often, a writer may attempt to copy the voice of his favorite author. In so doing, the writer fails miserably because he is trying to be someone he isn't.
Well, then, how is a writer to develop his or her voice? The answer is simple: Don't try! Voice comes naturally and will develop on its own as a writer practices his art.
Perhaps it will help to think of it in this way: God gives each of us a unique physical voice. A singer does not have to manufacture his voice; it is there. A singer simply practices using his voice and perfects it in the process. The same is true of the writer.
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© 2000 by MaryAnn L. Diorio, Ph.D.. All rights reserved. Copies of this article may be made for personal use only. Please include copyright notice. Those wishing to publish this article must first request written permission from the author. A minimum fee of $25 will be charged for all reprints.
Dr. Mary Ann Diorio is a popular public speaker, author, and life coach. She speaks on a variety of topics, including writing and life management issues. To book Dr. Diorio, visit her website at www.maryanndiorio.com or at www.LifeCoachingConsultants.us.