How to develop a strong voice

Writing coach: Non-fiction can draw from the whole world because it's your reader's world also. Throw in quotes, anecdotes, bits from television, current events, literature, etc. We're striving for an authentic voice because no matter if we write fiction or non-fiction, we want reader identification. Voice is about reader identification: the readers must understand, appreciate, worry about us, agree/disagree with us, etc. Lots of voice is unconscious, instinctive, we develop an ear for writing, like music.

iVillage: Reader identification - is that something that the writer has control over?

Writing coach: Yes. Definitely. We deliberately cultivate our writing voice, our way of looking at the world, the quality and sound of us on the page. And then they'll get it, us. Understand. Come into our thoughts.

iVillage: Is voice where every story begins?

Writing coach: Yes. The personality on the page starts from the first word, thought, inspiration.

iVillage: How do you deal with the pressure to be published? Do you have some projects that you don't intend to have published?

Writing coach: Yes. I have projects that have not, nor will ever be published. I write them anyway, because they make me a better writer. Although the pressure to be published is painful, write what makes you happy whenever you can.

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