We all know voice is something that comes from us and is the sum of our choices: what words we use, the syntax, the themes we write, the style, etc etc etc
I've just finished a Harlen Corben novel, and his voice is so distinct. His choices are quite clean, clipped and clinical (but the dialogue is always revealing) with some fascinating details that I found riveting, but the voice, while enjoyable, I realised was too much show/action for my tastes. He's taught me a lot about voice. This is his style:
“We all feel bad about your recent troubles,” Bonnie begins in a voice that couldn’t be more condescending without some kind of surgical help, “but it doesn’t excuse what you did.”
Maggie says nothing.
“This event,” Bonnie continues, “is for esteemed physicians.”
“It’s for graduates.”
“You know better.”
Silence.
“Your medical license was revoked,” Bonnie continues.
Witherspoon, Reese; Corben, Harlan. Gone Before Goodbye: The gripping new mystery thriller from the bestselling crime author and award-winning actress (p. 19). Cornerstone. Kindle Edition.
Now this is Lianne Moriarty:
‘You’re going to love it here,’ Madeline enthused. She adjusted the ice on her ankle and winced. ‘Ow. Do you surf? What about your husband? Or your partner, I should say. Or boyfriend? Girlfriend? I am open to all possibilities.’
‘No husband,’ Jane had said. ‘No partner. It’s just me. I’m a single mum.’
‘Are you?’ said Madeline, as if Jane had just announced something rather daring and wonderful.
‘I am.’ Jane smiled foolishly.
‘Well, you know, people always like to forget this but I was a single mother,’ said Madeline. She lifted her chin, as if she was addressing a crowd of people who disagreed with her. ‘My ex-husband walked out on me when my older daughter was a baby. Abigail. She’s fourteen. I was quite young too, like you. Only twenty-six. Although I thought I was over the hill. It was hard. Being a single mother is hard.’
Moriarty, Liane. Big Little Lies (p. 33). Pan Macmillan Australia. Kindle Edition.
Very different choice of dialogue. Both books have Reese Witherspoon involvement. One is more sparce, the other has more story to sink your teeth into. Either way obviously works. Where does your writing land on the spectrum? What do you prefer?
I enjoyed the sparer style until it became too much and I was reminded I'm reading a story. For me, the immersion of the first was more shallow than the second one,, but you might like different. All answers are right, whatever works for you.
I've just finished a Harlen Corben novel, and his voice is so distinct. His choices are quite clean, clipped and clinical (but the dialogue is always revealing) with some fascinating details that I found riveting, but the voice, while enjoyable, I realised was too much show/action for my tastes. He's taught me a lot about voice. This is his style:
“We all feel bad about your recent troubles,” Bonnie begins in a voice that couldn’t be more condescending without some kind of surgical help, “but it doesn’t excuse what you did.”
Maggie says nothing.
“This event,” Bonnie continues, “is for esteemed physicians.”
“It’s for graduates.”
“You know better.”
Silence.
“Your medical license was revoked,” Bonnie continues.
Witherspoon, Reese; Corben, Harlan. Gone Before Goodbye: The gripping new mystery thriller from the bestselling crime author and award-winning actress (p. 19). Cornerstone. Kindle Edition.
Now this is Lianne Moriarty:
‘You’re going to love it here,’ Madeline enthused. She adjusted the ice on her ankle and winced. ‘Ow. Do you surf? What about your husband? Or your partner, I should say. Or boyfriend? Girlfriend? I am open to all possibilities.’
‘No husband,’ Jane had said. ‘No partner. It’s just me. I’m a single mum.’
‘Are you?’ said Madeline, as if Jane had just announced something rather daring and wonderful.
‘I am.’ Jane smiled foolishly.
‘Well, you know, people always like to forget this but I was a single mother,’ said Madeline. She lifted her chin, as if she was addressing a crowd of people who disagreed with her. ‘My ex-husband walked out on me when my older daughter was a baby. Abigail. She’s fourteen. I was quite young too, like you. Only twenty-six. Although I thought I was over the hill. It was hard. Being a single mother is hard.’
Moriarty, Liane. Big Little Lies (p. 33). Pan Macmillan Australia. Kindle Edition.
Very different choice of dialogue. Both books have Reese Witherspoon involvement. One is more sparce, the other has more story to sink your teeth into. Either way obviously works. Where does your writing land on the spectrum? What do you prefer?
I enjoyed the sparer style until it became too much and I was reminded I'm reading a story. For me, the immersion of the first was more shallow than the second one,, but you might like different. All answers are right, whatever works for you.
