(Note: This is part of a weekly series from the website Gliterary Girl, where I’m a regular contributor on the subject of writing. And highly suggestive quilting patterns. But mostly writing.)
There are nearly 8 billion people inhabiting the earth. Most are capable of stringing together a sequence of words in order to communicate an idea or feeling.
Occasionally, this even includes lawyers.
At this very moment, if you were to log on to any social network, you’d find thousands of people writing about any number of topics, including vacations, sex, parenting, mental illness…
Hmmm. Looking back over that last sequence, I see a definite pattern.
Anyway, with all of these people writing, what determines the difference between someone who writes and a writer?
There really is a difference and, as with any art form, deciding between “good” and “poor” writing comes down to personal taste and interpretation. Or possibly an interpreter if you’re reading Ozzy Osbourne’s biography.
Regardless, there is one thing that truly defines a writer:
Their Voice.
Before we get into the art of recognizing and establishing a writer’s voice, I need to post the following Disclaimer:
I do not pretend to know anything about art.
That said, I have great respect for any artist whose work can provoke me into seeing or understanding something in a different way. For example, I once saw an art piece called “Eternal Hunger” which, cleverly, was an empty room with a single pea glued to the center of the floor. I remember standing there in the doorway and quietly reflecting to myself:
I’ll probably never like peas.
As absurd as that exhibit may sound, I remember it because the artist’s presentation — his voice — was confident and unique.
Did it change how I feel about peas?
No.
Am I still trying to swallow a pea my mom made me eat in 1972?
At this very moment.
But writers are just like painters or sculptors; they have at their disposal tools to help them create and communicate in ways which — depending on how they use their tools and in what sequence — will resonate their own unique voice.
Here are three of the most important tools in establishing a writer’s voice:
• Timing
• Truthfulness
• Relativity
Before we get started, I must post a Second Disclaimer:
If you are William Hung, there is nothing I can offer that will improve your voice in any shape or form, including written.
Now that we have established that important point, let us begin with Timing.
In my mind, this is probably the most important and frequently wielded tool for a writer, and the most complex. That’s because so many devices play a role in timing, including punctuation, paragraph structure, word usage and even font choice.
As a humor columnist, I often want to take the reader by surprise so that they don’t see the punch line coming, much like a bullfighter who uses his cape to entrance the bull while, simultaneously, hiding the stain in the seat of his tight pants.
See?
Other times, punctuation can offer the pause, beat or — as with the long dash — a visual distraction to hide the fact I’ve forgotten my point.
Oh yes… Timing. It can also be used to underscore a dramatic moment, or build tension and anticipation toward a climactic revelation your reader can’t get to fast enough, such as our next topic:
Truthfulness.
More than any time in history, readers are astute at recognizing a false tone in writing. Reality TV shows, blogs and instant access to information have, to a certain degree, trained readers to be skeptics, making your job of building a connection with the reader particularly crucial. This is especially true for columnists and short fiction writers who, regardless of their height, must build that connection within the first few paragraphs.
Being truthful is one of the fastest ways to build that connection.
This has less to do revealing things about yourself, and more to do with being honest. That said, if you’re writing about how you dislike making other people’s sandwiches while working at the deli, then Yes — go ahead and reveal that you secretly lick all the mayonaise off the knife between spreads.
Not that I would ever do that.
I’m just saying…
Writing with an element of truth about yourself, or your character, builds trust with the reader and can make an immediate connection, especially if they recognize something in themselves.
Being truthful also means doing your homework by educating yourself before you write about it. For example, I recently wrote a column about the first marriage proposal in space. Before writing about that subject, or making any predictions about the first wedding in space or cosmic marriage counselor, I took the time to become an astronaut at NASA.
OK, but I did do my research and discovered that I would not attend any wedding in space because the food would be really terrible. Plus, throwing rice or birdseed, while a popular tradition, would mean spending the entire day surrounded by clouds of rice and seeds floating in zero gravity.
Write about what you know. Start with yourself and educate yourself about the rest so that readers will trust you.
The third tool is really an extension of Trust, and that’s Relativity. Even if you are already knowledgeable or experienced on a subject, you will lose your reader if they can’t relate. This includes writing about personal experience; if the reader doesn’t feel included, it won’t matter how wacky “Aunt Frita” is if your reader doesn’t know “Aunt Frita” is actually a mule.
I realize that’s a bit of an overstatement, especially since I don’t know “Aunt Frita” either, but without carefully laying the foundation in a way that includes your reader, they will likely sit down and refuse to follow.
To be honest, each one of these subjects could have their own column. However, I hope I’ve at least given you enough to start with so that you’ll recognize these tools as you read others’ writing.
As always, feel free to contact me with questions by email, posting your question here, or by participating in my discussion forum.
Unless you are William Hung.
(Next week’s topic: Like bowel movements, a writing routine is crucial)
(You can write to ned at nhickson@thesiuslawnews.com, or at Siuslaw News, P.O. Box 10, Florence, Ore 97439)
Ned's Blog 
You sir, are brilliant!! I am taking your point in some of statement’s of purpose I have to do for grad-school 🙂
Gosh, I’m flattered! Aside from watching the Harlem Globetrotters on Mac Court at the U of O, that will be the closest to attending college as I’ve ever been 🙂
So I’m totally grossed out by the whole ‘licking the mayonnaise off the knife’ thing. Like in a I-think-I’m-gonna-chuck-all-over-Ned’s-blog kind of way.
Except Chuck might not fit on Ned’s blog. ‘Cuz Chuck is kinda small.
But seriously? Ew. Just…
Eeeeeuw.
Hahahaha! My apologies! Was it the licking or the mayonnaise? Like Steven King said once, “If I can’t scare them, I’ll get them with the gross out.” I guess he had more influence on me than I thought 🙂
It was the combination, Ned. And not the kind of combination that comes with fries.
Bleh.
So, I’m guessing no super-size on your order then…? 😉
Of COURSE there’s a super-size on my order. It just has nothing to do with mayo. 😛
Hahaha! I was waiting… 😉 Have a great weekend Mrs. F!
Ditto. 😀
Damn….all good writing tips aside, I really wanted to believe you were an astronaut. Sigh.
…Sorry 😦 I was launched two or three feet when they charged the 2 1/2-inch hose line I was working during a fire once. Does that count? 🙂
It certainly leaves me with a great mental image! 😀 Now I can start the weekend on a good note! Happy Friday.
Hahaha! Glad to help 🙂 It was kind of funny. There are supposed to be three guys on that sized line, but the other two weren’t quite ready yet. I saw the hose expanding as the water came through the line, so I grabbed it and pinned it under my arm. Even though I didn’t have the nozzle open, it crow-hopped me about two feet! Have a great weekend, Susan 🙂
Haha…glad it didn’t do any damage to your parts!! You should write a post about fire hose fails and the lighter side of being a volunteer. I know we get some hilarious stories from our volunteers about their training days.
You have a great weekend too! 🙂
I’ve been thinking about something like that; thanks for the confirmation! Oh, and aside from almost getting my arm knocked out of its socket, all parts are accounted for 🙂
That makes me happy for your wife. 😉
LOL! I’m pretty happy, too! (A good example of why you never, ever straddle a firehose unless you’ve already had a vasectomy.)
I now have tears in my eyes, laughing hysterically and picturing you straddled and flailing around on the firehose!! 😛
You weren’t the only one! Actually, I was too — once everything was accounted for 🙂 I’m just glad it wasn’t on someone’s camera phone. It would probably be part of our training video now 🙂 It was my first call out of the academy — and the last time I ever straddled a firehose!
Probably a wise move. 😉 And knowing your body is intact, I can say “thanks for the laugh”.
Excellent post, of course, but for some reason it reminded me of my nephew asking me if astronauts have to poop in their suits. I told him I’d find out…. I knew I had forgotten to do something. (<—this is all a front to see if you know the answer to a question that haunts me ) (<—truthfulness)
Thanks, George! Obviously, nothing gets by your nephew. Except maybe poop in zero gravity. In truth, I’ve actually wondered that myself and found a great article on it here: http://www.examiner.com/article/space-training-101-how-do-you-poop-space-part-i
Thank you for taking up the slack in my duties to my nephew and giving me the link. Very informative and disturbing. No doubt, being a male would come in handy as an astronaut because of the space toilet. I’ll bet they take great measures to prevent diarrhea! I’ll stay on Earth, thank you!
Hahaha! You and me both! Especially if we have diarrhea.
Awesome awesome. I always tell my friends that with writing, my #1 rule is to be relatable. If you can find something honest and interesting that makes people go “Yeah, THAT,” it’s a go. I imagine this is most true for humour writers like yourself!
Thanks, Shauna — and yes, humor has to be relatable. Otherwise you’re just amusing yourself. At least in terms of writing…
Well, thanks Ned… kind of was living a peaceful life, having shoved the memory of William Hung deeeeeeeeeep into the trenches of my psyche…you had to rip open that wound, huh? On the plus side, I no longer have Taylor Swift’s dumbass song stuck in my head.
Great, now I have her song in MY head! I guess it serves me right, so I guess we’re even. Just glad you didn’t say Call Me Mayb…. AAAAAghhhh! Make it stop!
This was a really great post! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks! Glad I can pass along something that doesn’t require bed rest 🙂
Great advice. Finding your voice takes time. It can also be tricky because you don’t want to fall into too predictable a pattern — keeping things fresh, while still aiming for familiarity can be a struggle. At least it’s a struggle for me.
Truthfulness is important. I couldn’t agree with you more on this point. I can’t tell you how many pieces I’ve tossed because I realized that I was “stretching”, which felt inauthentic. There’s nothing wrong with a little exaggeration or hyperbole here and there, as long as
they’re rooted in truth. If they’re not, the whole piece feels forced and, ultimately, false.
Thanks so much for allowing us lesser mortals and aspiring humorists the benefit of your experience. I, for one, really appreciate it (and that’s no exaggeration). 🙂
Absolutely true on all counts in regard to following your instincts when it comes to writing that feels forced. That’s always a sign that things aren’t working. I wish I could remember that when repairing things around the house. And wow, thanks so much for the kind words. I’m really glad to know what I’m putting down is helpful 🙂
Regarding household repairs, I have two words for you: duct tape.
That and WD-40 are 90 percent of my tools; WD-40 to make things fit, and duct tape to keep them there.
I look forward to these posts as I am just beginning to write my blog, and finding my feet. I still write instinctively but know that there should be some degree of planning and thought. I dont know anyone who writes so your the only real advice I’m getting. No pressure!!.
Who said anything about planning or thought? You’ve seen my posts! 😉