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!
Tags: Mentor Texts, Voice, Writing Tips
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May 9, 2019 at 9:12 AM
Wonderful clear description of the elusive voice!
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May 9, 2019 at 9:25 AM
Thank you, Marcia!
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May 28, 2019 at 2:51 PM
Very interesting. Not an easy skill to teach . . . I think I’ll make it a point to go through some of my favorite children’s books & come up with a list of titles with “voice.” This will take some time . . . (and thanks, Cathy, for this.)
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May 29, 2019 at 10:16 AM
Great idea, evie! Please share.
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May 28, 2019 at 2:53 PM
ps: voice is what makes an editor’s day . . . what entices her to go on reading . . .
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