A Bit About Voice

I was lucky enough to attend three wonderful days at an annual SCBWI conference. I saw old friends, met new friends, and attended some excellent workshops. Now my brain is bursting with information I’d love to share.

Let’s talk a bit about voice. What exactly is it?

No, this isn’t it!

In many ways, voice is hard to define, but when you read it or hear it, you recognize it immediately.

Voice encompasses many things.

It’s the author’s style of writing.

It’s the sentence structure and the right choice of words.

It’s rhythm and timing.

Voice is the element that makes the author’s writing stand out from others.

It sets the mood and personality of your story.

It’s what pulls the reader into the story creating an emotional connection.

It’s the unique way a character expresses feelings.

Voice is what puts magic into a story.

 

Here are some exceptional mentor texts that ooze voice.

Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

This is Not My Hat and I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! written by Jon Scieszka and illustrated by Lane Smith

The Day the Crayons Quit written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

The Diary of a Worm written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Harry Bliss

Let your voice be heard!

 

 

 

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Tags: Mentor Texts, Voice, Writing Tips

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