Good Morning fellow writers, I have finally returned. I couldn't leave this subject behind of finding your writing voice.
In a huge word, PASSION! Yep! That's it. Write what you are passionate about and what you know, write in your voice, (the way you talk).
Your writing is a mirror of you. How you were raised, where you were raised, your beliefs and values? Write what you know about. What are your personal experiences in life? What is your life about? In other words, upbringing, experiences, languages, work, education, beliefs, family, social, economical, emotional, physical. Another good question for you to reflect upon. What part of the world were you born in? Are your parents missionaries,farmers, lawyers, doctors, etc? There are a multitude of facets about each unique life.
Writing is Rewriting.
At this point you may ask yourself...How do I know when I have found my writing voice?
The answer is: Your voice begins when you expect to be different.
Talking is writing. Elmore Leonard says it well. If it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.
You actually don't get it, you've got it. Don't lose the talk when you write it down.
I've found several quotes that I'll share on this blog but for now I would recommend an older book. You can still find it on Amazon. It is one of the best books I have ever read on the subject. It is called If You Can Talk, You Can Write by Joel Saltzman. His website is http://www.shakethatbrain.com
The other thing I did to find more information on writing was on the internet on the subject of "voice in your writing". There are many many references there. I have found that some authors on this subject will speak to your needs more than others in explaining this complicated yet way simple subject.
I promised that I would include a couple of ah ha moments from fellow writers.
One writer mentions that she thought that she wrote women's fiction but kept second guessing herself. A facilitator of a group she belonged to listened for about a year, gave her a wry smile and said, "YOU write women's fiction." She has never doubted where she belongs since that comment. She wrote that in her case, she knew all along. It took someone to speak it out back to her!
Another writer wrote that it just seemed natural that each character's voice in her work flowed. However, her critique partners knew when she was using another voice and would nail her every time. They would tell her that the work wasn't her usual voice and then she knew it would be extreme edit time!
I think by these comments we can conclude that God will use several ways to show us our voice in the writing world. We can pray and ask Him to help us find it, which He will and it will be in a creative way in which we can best understand. Yea! He is faithful.
Keep practicing and researching my friends and write about what you research. If you want more information or clarification just ask.
May you be refreshed by this information and move forward on your unique path created for you by a Savior who loves you so much.
May you each find your unique voice and please let me know when you have found it! and what happened! I'm sure it will help others. I'm praying for you all. Now take a deep drink of fresh water and get er done! :)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Shoe Size
I've decided after much research that one size doesn't fit all. That applies to writers as well.
I'm preparing a talk for a writing group. The concept of finding one's writing voice is exciting to me as an artist and so I sent out several requests on writing threads as to what my fellow writers think what an artists voice is.
I discovered with much amusement that one shoe doesn't fit everyone. I had answers and opinions from A-Z. That being said, I'm refining and re-directing many good thoughts that have come my way. I will include some Aha moments of some as well.
God is so good as he tunes our writing voices to reach the world, don't you think?
As I pray for all of you, won't you pray for me that I allow the Lord to get his message across and say what it is that he wants his writers to hear?
I will post more on this in the coming days.
Love you.
I'm preparing a talk for a writing group. The concept of finding one's writing voice is exciting to me as an artist and so I sent out several requests on writing threads as to what my fellow writers think what an artists voice is.
I discovered with much amusement that one shoe doesn't fit everyone. I had answers and opinions from A-Z. That being said, I'm refining and re-directing many good thoughts that have come my way. I will include some Aha moments of some as well.
God is so good as he tunes our writing voices to reach the world, don't you think?
As I pray for all of you, won't you pray for me that I allow the Lord to get his message across and say what it is that he wants his writers to hear?
I will post more on this in the coming days.
Love you.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
April Showers Bring May Flowers
I am motivated to start blogging again. It's been an amazing journey into 2010. So much happening around the Harris House that I got overwhelmed.
We spent time working on preparing my in-laws house to put on the market the 1st of April and when we returned from Texas, there were lots of demanding messages that needed to be answered.
The most exciting one though was one for our grand daughter Aimee. She was asked to perform at a military talent show and she sang two songs. That meant extra time and practice with rehearsals thrown in for good measure. We prayed, and she committed her talent to the Lord. She witnessed to me such faith in God's control of her life that I felt rather ashamed. You see, she is only 15 and I often wonder where her teenage head is, but this was so big to me. She missed by only a couple of points and still smiled, not a tear was shed, but my heart was broken for her. We were all tired and she did such a beautiful job of performing. But...she was happy, for the opportunity, the chance of two more years to do it, the offer to do more work for the person that invited her try out and lastly, all the cute cadets that came up to her after-wards with words of encouragement not to give up and that she was going far in her chosen career of music. She said, "It's not my time yet. God will do it for me when the time is right. I have to keep working!"
Well, did I learn? Yes! We have to keep on smiling fellow artisans. God knows the "perfect timing" for each of us.
I know you are tired and struggling with some of a ton of writing issues.
Spring is here, take a walk and smell the roses. It's okay to take a break during your writing day. As you move, you will receive some new inspiration or revelation. Allow the Spring Winds to brush through your hair and fill your nostrils with fresh new air and ideas. Take a butterfly net with you to catch what God has for you to move forward in the new year. Have a Happy Spring.
I would ask for prayer for Jim and me as he receives a pacemaker this Friday.
I have been asked to speak on "voice" in June and I will be posting on that subject the next post so please come and sit with me as we work together in Jesus.
Love,
Paulette
We spent time working on preparing my in-laws house to put on the market the 1st of April and when we returned from Texas, there were lots of demanding messages that needed to be answered.
The most exciting one though was one for our grand daughter Aimee. She was asked to perform at a military talent show and she sang two songs. That meant extra time and practice with rehearsals thrown in for good measure. We prayed, and she committed her talent to the Lord. She witnessed to me such faith in God's control of her life that I felt rather ashamed. You see, she is only 15 and I often wonder where her teenage head is, but this was so big to me. She missed by only a couple of points and still smiled, not a tear was shed, but my heart was broken for her. We were all tired and she did such a beautiful job of performing. But...she was happy, for the opportunity, the chance of two more years to do it, the offer to do more work for the person that invited her try out and lastly, all the cute cadets that came up to her after-wards with words of encouragement not to give up and that she was going far in her chosen career of music. She said, "It's not my time yet. God will do it for me when the time is right. I have to keep working!"
Well, did I learn? Yes! We have to keep on smiling fellow artisans. God knows the "perfect timing" for each of us.
I know you are tired and struggling with some of a ton of writing issues.
Spring is here, take a walk and smell the roses. It's okay to take a break during your writing day. As you move, you will receive some new inspiration or revelation. Allow the Spring Winds to brush through your hair and fill your nostrils with fresh new air and ideas. Take a butterfly net with you to catch what God has for you to move forward in the new year. Have a Happy Spring.
I would ask for prayer for Jim and me as he receives a pacemaker this Friday.
I have been asked to speak on "voice" in June and I will be posting on that subject the next post so please come and sit with me as we work together in Jesus.
Love,
Paulette
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Loss of a Gift
It is with great sorrow that I write about Maggie. She had to be put down last week. Her health experienced a sudden turn and she developed diabetes, the worst case the vet said that she encountered in awhile. Maggie started to suffer and we as a family were not prepared to give her shots twice weekly and blood tests often. That would be expensive and painful for Maggie.
She was given four weeks to live without the medication and two days after the vet diagnosed her, she went into a horrible seizure. Jennifer called her father in tears and asked for help to give this wonderful "gift" back to our Lord.
Most of you know what a wonder dog she is. Maggie has been a faithful friend and companion to my daughter and grandchildren for almost thirteen years and we all have been very sad to have to let her go. It does not seem that long ago that she survived the coyote attack. Almost a year to the day as I think back.
Why do I write this today? You may ask.
God gives us all the tools we need to write, including "special gifts" in our lives to help along the road. Friends, lovers, pets, mentors. I've seen that He does that for each of us in whatever our "purpose" is on earth. He wouldn't ask us to do something without help to accomplish what we were born for. We were born to praise Him in every aspect of our lives whether it is writing or some other form of creating for His glory. Today my friend I encourage you, no matter where you are in your God given purpose, to continue on in what you are doing and be prepared for your final curtain call in life. I'm praying and weeping for you all to enjoy today. Think of your gifts to move forward from God and know He's pleased with you as I am to be blessed to know you.
Love,
Paulette
She was given four weeks to live without the medication and two days after the vet diagnosed her, she went into a horrible seizure. Jennifer called her father in tears and asked for help to give this wonderful "gift" back to our Lord.
Most of you know what a wonder dog she is. Maggie has been a faithful friend and companion to my daughter and grandchildren for almost thirteen years and we all have been very sad to have to let her go. It does not seem that long ago that she survived the coyote attack. Almost a year to the day as I think back.
Why do I write this today? You may ask.
God gives us all the tools we need to write, including "special gifts" in our lives to help along the road. Friends, lovers, pets, mentors. I've seen that He does that for each of us in whatever our "purpose" is on earth. He wouldn't ask us to do something without help to accomplish what we were born for. We were born to praise Him in every aspect of our lives whether it is writing or some other form of creating for His glory. Today my friend I encourage you, no matter where you are in your God given purpose, to continue on in what you are doing and be prepared for your final curtain call in life. I'm praying and weeping for you all to enjoy today. Think of your gifts to move forward from God and know He's pleased with you as I am to be blessed to know you.
Love,
Paulette
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