When I first started writing children’s stories, what appeared on the page was verse. I didn’t want to write verse. I wanted to write stories. For months, I rewrote my verse into prose. The prose was ho-hum, the verse was great. It took me awhile to get it. I have a poet’s voice. My writing is lyrical. Rhymes pop out! Rhythm happens.
Voice is what happens when we allow whatever wants to be said to flow out in its own style, unfettered by thinking. Voice comes when we allow our deep original expression to come forth without censorship. When I first started writing, my voice peeped out and the critic chuckled, “How corny … How lame.”
Now I know that a harsh critic resides within. This inner critic dismisses my voice by ridiculing it. When the critic rises, my voice scurries into hiding. The critic and the voice are linked.
How does a writer allow deep, original expression to come forth without censorship? Sometimes it’s tough. I’ve devised a practice that works for me. When I hear the critic, I stop writing and speak out loud. I acknowledge the critic and have a conversation that ends with: “I hear you, buddy … but I’m not hiding today.” It’s kind of like standing up to a bully. Then I let go and write my heart out.
Allowing voice is a courageous act.
Another way I call forth voice is to engage in spontaneous writings. What’s the first thought that comes to mind when you hear the phrase, “What are you waiting for?” or “Open the box!” or “There is a gate”? First thought! Go … no mind-editing. It’s a little like laughing or vomiting. And for some, it takes practice to allow the style of expression to pop out with the idea. In my early writing days, this worked well for me, both as a warmup and as a way to let the voice of the character or subject come forth. An excellent source for spontaneous writing ideas is A Writer’s Book of Days: A Spirited Companion & Lively Muse for the Writing Life by Judy Reeves (2010).
Now, after years of befriending the deep sounds of me, I jump into voice right away. Hey! … could I have finally tamed that bully critic? Wow.
Great essay Sandra!
ReplyDeleteSandra, that darn inner critic must be a busy creature, because mine visits me every day! But I've learned to let go and write that vomit draft anyway, and the rest can be revised and smoothed out.
ReplyDeleteI think it's really cool that your natural voice is in verse. I'm sure you realize how many writers would LOVE to have that problem :)