When I was a child one of my favorite programs on television was the Disney produced Zorro series. I seem to remember it being shown in fifteen minute segments that appeared as part of the Mickey Mouse Club, but according to Wikipedia it was actually a series itself that was associated at times with the Mickey Mouse Club. Whichever the case, the Zorro story was an exciting one that inspired and intrigued me when I was young.
One of Zorro's memorable characteristics was the "Z" that he would slash into places he had been. Zorro would leave the "Z" calling card to let his adversaries know that he was the one who had visited and this became his trademark so to speak.
For a writer, voice is like Zorro's "Z". Instead of the sword the writer uses the pen--or their favorite tool of writing--to slash the words that will let the reader know who it was that visited. The focus of the writer's interests, the subject matter, unique uses of metaphors and phrasing are the calling cards of the writer that essentially says "this was written by me."
We may not have a voice that is so dramatically unique that we are indistinguishable from others who write in a way similar to ours, but our voice should be as clear as it can be to give the reader a greater sense of familiarity of who they are reading.
When you slash your pages with your real or figurative pen, leave a bold "Z" to let the readers know who it is behind the words on the pages that you have created.
Do you consciously strive to develop your own unique writing voice? Are there certain authors whose writing you immediately recognize when you read it? How do you think voice in writing is reflected in the writing style?
This is it for the Blogging from A to Z April Challenge letter posts. However there is one more A to Z event coming up. Be watching for the A to Z Reflections Linky list which will appear on Monday May 4th at a-to-zchallenge.com. My reflections post for Wrote By Rote will be posted on Saturday May 2nd as I return to my regular posting schedule. Join me then!
Hi Lee - Zorro never entered my realm of tv watching in the UK - but my brothers might have done. Slashing is a technique that needs to be learnt .. and by some bloggers!: but I have my voice and that appears to appeal - thankfully.
ReplyDeleteWell done on all your blogs and for starting off the A-Z - which has a wonderful following each year .. cheers to you and your helpers all - Hilary
Hilary, the voice in your blog writing is very distinctive. Thanks for contributing your part to the success of A to Z 2015.
DeleteLee
Is that the Zorro that starred Guy Williams who went on to be in Lost in Space? And yes, I recognize some authors' work as soon as I read it. Stephen King - very descriptive, builds up the story and characters for 800 pages then kills everyone off in the last 10 and never tells you what happened to the survivors. And Anne Rice...she uses the word 'preternatural' on every single page.
ReplyDeleteI do believe that TV Zorro was played by Guy Williams. Never knew he was in Lost in Space, but I didn't know many of the actors names except for Billy Mumy and who could forget a strange name like that.
DeleteLee
What an interesting analogy. In reading over my old posts, I sometimes detect a distinct voice, usually when the topic was more interesting to me, I suppose. Other times I sound like a reporter stating "just the facts, Ma'am." So maybe I haven't really developed a true "Z" yet.
ReplyDelete~Visiting from AtoZ
For some of the letters it takes some real stretching! I think voice is something that comes through repeated writing and a certain conscious effort. I think I use a "reporting" style as well, but I like that style.
DeleteLee
I don't remember the Disney Zoro to well, but I loved the Zoro movies with Antonio Banderas! Since I write as a personal blogger, I do most of my posts as if I were speaking directly to someone I know. Regaling them with a story, or trying to explain to them how I feel.
ReplyDelete~ We made it!!! ~
Visit me at: Life & Faith in Caneyhead
I am Ensign B of Tremps' Troops
with the A to Z Challenge
I like the personal touch of the direct storyteller. It's like being there with the person as they relate their narrative.
DeleteLee
I think your writing voice is your character, but it's difficult to write truly as yourself until you have been writing for some time. Reading through anthologies of poems I can recognise the authors easily, especially as nowadays i know many of them, and they do indeed sounds like themselves.
ReplyDeleteI've also done 'Zorro' - but a completely different subject!
Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com (this is my blog, don't try going via the Blogger link!)
I believe that voice develops more so than being created by the writer. I think it does require some conscious effort to create a voice, but too much of that effort might make the writing seem unnatural.
DeleteLee
Thanks for all the great memoir advice you've given during the Challenge. I learned a lot and many of your posts have inspired me to get busy -- to get back to the memoir that I've put on the back burner for too long. Thanks for that!
ReplyDeleteHard to believe we're at the end. I'm going to miss this challenge but I'm thrilled to have met so many wonderful people and to have discovered some amazing, funny, informative and interesting blogs. Great event Lee!
Michele at Angels Bark
Whether you write a memoir or not, good points were made for good storytelling.
ReplyDelete