Comments on: Hearing Voices

By: Anna Elliott

Anna Elliott — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:20:29 +0000

Lara, I’m absolutely with you–my first chapter gets re-written by far the most times and for that very reason. And Prue, that sounds like a fascinating story choice you’ve made! Best of luck with it–it sounds terrific!

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By: prue batten

prue batten — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 22:36:29 +0000

‘Voice’ . . . a difficult thing at the best of times, but when one’s male protagonist is mute, and with no sign language, even more difficult. Never have mannerisms, mood and thought taken on such meaning! I can’t ‘hear’ him, instead I must ‘see’ him and ‘be’ him.

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By: Lara

Lara — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 23:44:16 +0000

It takes me the first fifty to one-hundred pages of novel-writing before I feel I’ve truly tuned into my characters’ voices. This is one of the reasons why the first chapter usually requires the most revision.

Lots of good thoughts here. :)
.-= Lara´s last blog ..The Ever-Changing Book Cover =-.

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By: Dark Moon of Avalon trailer

Dark Moon of Avalon trailer — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:41:38 +0000

[...] over at Writer Unboxed today blogging about finding your characters’ [...]

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By: Kathleen Bolton

Kathleen Bolton — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:19:14 +0000

Love this: ” I think that’s because however much you try to dissect and analyze it, in essence voice is magic.”

Sometimes it really seems that way. You’re slogging along and then poof, the character comes alive and can speak. How does that happen? What makes it happen? Talent, drive and yes, a little magic, I think.

Great post!

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By: Jill

Jill — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:17:38 +0000

Nicely done. The quote from Louis Menand hit the nail on the head, and gave me a new perspective in thinking about voice, and I, too, liked the idea that when it comes down to it, voice is magic.

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By: Anna Elliott

Anna Elliott — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:49:48 +0000

That really is a great idea Kristan! And Rebecca, don’t we all have those “I want to scream” days! What keeps me going is knowing that I *am* going to eventually reach that point where my characters are talking to me and totally surprising me with what they have to say–there’s no other feeling like it.

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By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:35:09 +0000

That’s a great idea, Kristan! I’ll have to try that.

Thanks for the post, Anna. I think one of hardest things about writing is fighting the “discouragements.” It is always helpful to be reminded that it takes time but if we keep at it, it will come. On good days, I can hear that loud and clear. On bad days I just want to scream! ;)
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Craft Cheese =-.

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By: Kristan

Kristan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:06:12 +0000

Yeah, I created a separate file just called “(main character) voice” so I could go in there and type up her thoughts whenever they came. And also, so I could reread her words whenever her voice *wouldn’t* come. It was pretty helpful! (Until I scrapped the story, lol. But that was for other reasons.)
.-= Kristan´s last blog ..I can has world? =-.

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By: Meredith

Meredith — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:40:04 +0000

You wrote: “…however much you try to dissect and analyze it, in essence voice is magic.”

Amen!

When the fairy dust settles and the character’s voice comes through clear and strong, it’s enchantment for the writer, too.
.-= Meredith´s last blog ..1000 Words Before Breakfast =-.

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