Writing Voice

Writers bring a unique and diverse set of skills to their work: One author might write outstanding characters, while another might dazzle with dialogue. While it isn't necessary that a writer master every aspect of the craft in order to succeed, the one quality required of every successful writer is have a compelling, original voice. This 'writer's voice', which is often difficult to define and even more difficult to master, is what transforms writing from the pedestrian to the powerful. The collaborative project of the editorial staff of Writer's Digest Books, Writing Voice: The Complete Guide to Creating a Presence on the Page and Engaging Readers is an effective compendium of instruction and advice drawn from best-selling authors and instructors like Donal Maass, Adair Lara, Paula Munier, Dinty W. Moore, James Scott Bell, and many others. Also included are exercises, techniques, and examples for making prose stand out, be it fiction or memoir. Writing Voice explores the unique way you write; studies the distinctive styles of other writers to create your own voice; provides understanding of the nuances of voice, including the importance of word choice; will develop the right voice for working in a particular genre; enable the crafting of excellent narration that will keep readers coming back; materially aid in choosing the proper voice for nonfiction. Constructing the voice that fits your particular style as a writer, as well as your audience, is paramount to crafting memorable, original work. Writing Voice gives the aspiring writer the fundamental tools to not only create that voice but to perfect it. --James A. Cox at Midwest Book Review