You must put the i in voice.

What is voice?

The voice of a writer is the truest and most authentic expression of self.

The voice of the character is the defining action taken, where the reader becomes part of the story. Connected and longing to be closer to the protagonist on their heroic journey. Reading with thoughts of;

If only I could speak with such rigor and might!

Oh! How my life would be grander if I could be so eloquent!

The voice of the narrator picks out tiny fibers relevant to the story. Sets the scene through description that fills the readers' mind with not words, but a vision. The voice is the captivating aspect of the narrator. Voice defines who is telling the story, why they are telling it, what is the purpose.

Voice is a powerful tool. In fact, voice is often the hardest tool to master in the writer’s toolbox. Truth be told I had put off writing for a good decade, because of fear to use my voice! Unsure how it sounded, what worked, what it was. For anyone who had boarded my boat, practice! Research and learn more about voice and practice. It’s the best way to get out of the boat and start sending out those letters, even if they do get lost at sea occasionally!

Who can use voice? And when?

Today’s society has more understanding and grace regarding the use of voice.

In Australia, an advert against online abuse was to unmute yourself. Raise your voice against those using their power on others.

As a writer and semi-eavesdropper, I hear the voice of others play out around me. Sometimes they are nuggets to use in a story!

Voices can be powerful, cunning, brilliant, shy, gentle, courageous.

Tone is an aspect of voice helping to convey the message. Not to get confused between the two. Voice is the focus. The tool of power.

I once saw an activity for writers to develop the use of their own voice in storytelling. It suggested thinking of a time when telling a story verbally, opposed to writing it out. What were the differences? This helped in my journey of writing. I encourage you to try it as well!

How and where to use voice?

Last year I opted for some extra perspective from a career practitioner regarding career outlooks. Doubting my writing capacity, I thought to expand into the career world else how. The practitioner had me complete a questionnaire, like a personality profiler however different and solely relational to work. The results were a high score towards a Thinking and Persuasiveness function. The practitioner advised many things may bore you and you continually seek results and answers, as the outcome for the Thinking component.

The persuasiveness was highlighting a way of conducting myself, like that of a salesman. They understand the internal aspects of the customer looking and hoping to buy yet not fully committed. The salesman would then help the prospective buyer to be affirmative in their choice. I thought a salesman was a bad idea for me personally, as I view the job as a crowding, and suffocating view of vultures. Perhaps not imminent death, "just" bankruptcy.

I advised of times where I felt moved by the character display of others, especially when experiencing low moments. I would then inspire them, to push them out of despair toward hope and action. The practitioner was delighted and yet apologetic for the Salesman example, as this was a far better notion of the Persuasiveness trait.

It was at that moment I realized how effective voice can be. The persuasiveness of voice needs to be present for any writer, fiction, and non-fiction alike, even memoirs and poetry. Lacking the deeper complexities of a character or situation will create any hopeful scene to be flat, uninviting, boring, and a great reason to put a book down.

It is crucial to develop the voice tool, use it and rely on it!

Putting a voice together.

One day I was curious about the word voice. Deciding to run a google search on the word.

Voce is a term in both Portuguese and Italian both referring to the word voice. Why then in English does the letter i get included. It was almost like "put the i into voice." That’s when it hit!

We tend to shy away from using our voices. We spot it in the distance, yet as it closes in two and three cars collide. But we decide – I’m too busy to worry about that I will let the next bystander make some emergency calls. Deciding not to do something, costs a chance of putting ourselves into the situation and using what we have – our voice.

Same situation in school. I remember countless times the teacher proclaiming, "Make sure to ask your questions, as someone else may be thinking what you are and are too shy to ask." We should never feel too shy to ask a question. I don't believe in dumb questions, for each time you ask your question to a different person you will result in a different answer. But how will you know this unless you ask?

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2022) also provides 11 different results for voce, generally partnered with other words, yet the theme remains consistent. It is always to do with voice. The volume of the music voice, an undertone (recall I mentioned tones and voices above?), oral conduct – by word of mouth, expressed or conducted via speech, one with a full voice, a veiled voice…

The term Viva Voca, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2022) is as such,

Viva voce derives from Medieval Latin, where it translates literally as "with the living voice." In English it occurs in contexts, such as voting, in which something is done aloud for all to hear.

Voice is an action, something to be heard. It wants to be heard. Let your writing shine by developing your voice! Let your speech shine, by developing your voice!

References:

Merriam-Webster, 2022, Voce. Merriam-Webster Dictionary. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/voce