Finding Your Voice On Paper

Since most new writers are keenly aware of their own inadequacies, either real or imagined, they ravenously consume all instruction, as long as it promises to improve their writing abilities. While an eagerness to learn is good, there is a danger that results from being overly eager to not only learn, but also implement each tidbit of instruction.

Reading how-to books on the various aspects of writing is a great way to gather knowledge that preceding authors have painfully gathered through trial-and-error. Therefore, with each new writing manual that is published, the beginning writer has the ability to learn from the mistakes of others and, hopefully, avoid many of the pitfalls that entrapped his or her forbears. However, one should keep in mind that reading about writing never creates a good author.

When I first started writing, there was nothing I liked more than to sit down with a book on the mechanics of writing, whether it had to do with plot, viewpoint, or dialogue. Unfortunately, I would be so engrossed in the books that I would neglect to do the most important thing...actually write! The only way to become proficient in the craft, the only way truly to hone those writing skills, is to write.

 At other times, new writers will seek instruction from others by offering their work up for critique. If the reviewer is decent, this can be a valuable experience. This, however, should be exercised with caution, for although new writers may be aware of their own shortcomings, they are no more eager to have their work criticized that anyone else and can be extremely fragile. Thus, while new authors should be open to instruction from more experienced writers, they should not necessarily accept everything with open arms. Instead, they should accept the criticism and then take a good, long, honest look at it before applying it to their work.

The drawback to relying on the instruction of others is that it is possible to ask ten authors a question and get ten different answers. This is because successful writers have found their “voice on paper” and developed their own distinctive style. So, naturally, when they are asked about writing, they will give their point of view concerning a method that may work well for them, but be entirely unsuited for someone else.

The trick for new writers is to not only search for quality advice, but learn how to sort through it all and find what works best for them. Because new writers tend to mimic the style of their favorite authors, it can be difficult to not only find their own voice, but possibly discover that the one they are using isn’t actually theirs to begin with.

The bottom line is, there is no universal technique for anything in the world of writing – it is all relative. So, while new authors should search for help and guidance, and be open to constructive criticism, they should also critique the criticism and realize that they alone are going to be responsible for their success. They are unique writers, with unique talents, and should strive to find their own “voice on paper.”

Author homepage http://www.taragam.com