Best of Week: Importance of Voice

The best idea discussed in class this week was the importance of voice in writing. We got into the discussion, while trying to figure out why Raymond Carter ends his profound short story, Cathedral with mundane and nondescript words. Then Darrell brought up that the narrator speaks that way through the entire story. If all of a sudden the narrator began to use vivid and descriptive language, it would ruin the voice.

Keeping consistent voice is extremely important in preserving the authenticity of your writing. If you switch up voice, you are not only changing your writing style, but you are changing the character. Each character needs their own distinct voice; that voice is what makes them stand out as an individual, and it gives them human qualities. A breaking of voice is uncomfortable for the reader as well. It would be like if one of your close friends suddenly began speaking to you in a very philosophical manner, while all their life they had only talked to you about football. Its awkward and out of character.

I can see myself using this advice in my own writing, especially when we begin to write our short stories. I will try and make certain that each of my characters has a unique voice, and that I do not change and or shift their voice in a way that alters their established personality.