THAT ELUSIVE VOICE

Until we find it, that VOICE we long for will continue to elude us.

James Scott Bell's new book, VOICE - The Secret Power of Great Writing- is a must for every writer.

Granted VOICE defies definition but you'll know it when you hear or read it. Although it is not an easy matter, Bell outdoes himself in clarifying exactly how we can find this mystifying feature.

I am not going to give you a point by point guide from his work because I really want you to get this valuable tool for yourself. And I guarantee - if you take his advice on board - your writing will sing. It genuinely is 'the secret power of great writing'.

Like most of us, I believed this VOICE was mine. You know, my style of writing. And maybe a squidgy little bit is. But mainly it's our main character's voice that escalates our story telling right up there with the cream of the crop. The same goes for a strong secondary character. In other words they become 'flesh and blood characters'.

'I already know that!' I can hear you say. Even so, our revered teacher, Mr Bell, has much more to add to what we have previously thought. As he says, 'it can make a pretty good novel unforgettable.'

Bell goes on to say, 'Editors often say they turned down a book because the VOICE was weak. So how do you find your voice when the very definition is so vague? Is it something that can be developed? Or is it something you're just born with?

Listen to this scary quote from an editorial assistant:
"The type of submission that's the toughest to spot - and the most essential to avoid - is the one that is skilful, competent, literate and ultimately 'forgettable'."  Oh  dear, what an awful tag for your story and mine, too. That's the reason why VOICE is crucial.

Bell is adamant that this thing called VOICE does not proceed from the author alone. He says the aspect of the character and author are symbiotic. That is, they exist in unison and grow together.
Yes, yes, tell me more ....
No, go to Amazon, buy the book and study every detail for yourself. And always ask the Lord to give you understanding and empathy in your work. Your novel may help someone to grow in their Christian walk.

Rita Stella Galieh co-presents a Christian FM radio program broadcast Australia-wide. She has a passion for the Victorian Era with all its intricate undercurrents. And, along with her husband, enjoys performing as a governess in a fun presentation of the etiquette of the era.

She is now in the finicky process of publishing her fifth inspirational historical romance. To find out more about her books, ebooks, Victorian Presentation, and ministry visit: www.ritastellapress.com or friend her on Facebook.

RECOGNITION

RECOGNIZE: a word with several meanings. Take this one.
To admit as one being entitled to be heard.

The female protagonist in my novel, The Testing of Miss Taylor Jones, is a reporter who longs for recognition. For one thing, she is stubborn and is prepared to hang in there no matter how long it takes. Which we possibly might admire, or feel irritated with.:)

But as I delved deeper into her character she made me feel uncomfortable. And I never knew the reason at first. It didn't come to the fore until I had worked on my M/S for the umpteenth time. She was my leading lady and had every good reason to act the way she did. Especially in the 1890's when quite a few brave females, even Christians, were struggling to find their identity in a male dominated sphere. Therefore I couldn't lay the blame on this young woman, so I had to look elsewhere.

Only then did I realize that longing for recognition was deeply ingrained in me. Uh-oh. I was writing myself into the poor girl whether she liked it or not! I am not one to put words into the Lord's mouth, but I am sure the Holy Spirit gracefully challenged my heart at that point. In the sphere of my writing was my motive recognition of myself? Or was I, through my characters, pointing my readers to the Lord? That is what I have always set out to do, but sometimes my old self nature worms its way in. Not into my writing as such, but the REASON for my writing. This is a personal heart attitude I am dealing with.

I wonder if any of you authors write things you are dealing with into your protagonists' lives? Or maybe even into that of your antagonist? Hmm. Perhaps it might give the characters a more honest flesh and blood reality.  That is one reason why revealing a character's motives usually explains the homing in on the goal onto which they have locked their heart.

Maybe it's that confronting Bible verse telling us our hearts are deceitful that makes us delve into why we do what we do. So I guess that should also be true for the characters we create. We all want them to be more than make-believe cardboard cutouts.What think ye?

Author Bio:   Rita is currently a scriptwriter and co-speaker on a five minute Christian radio program, Vantage Point broadcast throughout Australia. She has contributed to several U.S. non-fiction anthologies for Adams Media and has two historical romances traditionally published. She belongs to several writers’ organizations and her weekly blog, http://inspirationalromance.blogspot.com, shares personal stories and author interviews. It has a good number of international hits. She and her evangelist husband also minister together in special presentations.