Senior Editor at Boyds Mills Press, Kim Griswell, said that “a writer with voice has the ability to illuminate the ordinary.” A better definition of voice I have not yet come across.
Voice is that unique quality that designates a piece of writing as uniquely yours. It is a sound in your style that comes straight from your heart onto the written page. Voice identifies you, and no one else, as the writer of your piece.
Voice is also that rare ability to take an ordinary phrase or sentence and make it extraordinary. Why not try your hand at rewriting the following sentences according to your voice. Then share them with us so that we can applaud your unique writing voice. 🙂
1) The dog ran across the street.
2) The birds flew through the air.
3) The child chased the rainbow.
Oooh, a writing exercise!!
Without embelishing and without much thought:
1) The dog raced across the street
2) The birds zipped through the air
3) The child wandered after the rainbow
I’d need more time to embelish and spice them up.
July 2, 2010 at 7:39 AM
This exercise was just for you, Pam. You had requested exercises in an earlier post, so I wanted to accommodate your request. Thanks so much for participating. I love your voice! 🙂
July 2, 2010 at 9:00 AM
Good exercise! Will try and remember to come back and do this.
Have a wonderful weekend!
Blessings,
Karen
July 2, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Have fun with the exercise, Karen. And you too enjoy your weekend! 🙂
July 2, 2010 at 10:11 AM
Thanks, Mary Ann! My fantasy-themed brain thought more about it and I decided to combine all the sentences. 🙂
Valdin chased the rainbow across the field. She felt desperate to reach the end where the entrance to her world waited. Behind her, dogs bore down, howling with rage.
A small group of black birds shot out of the trees. Not a good sign. Valdin took a deep breath and forced her screaming legs on faster.
There it was! Valdin allowed herself a small smile, but she wasn’t safe yet. She could smell the hot breath of the lead dog behind her.
“Melac, mighty God, help me!” she cried as she dove for the end of the rainbow.
Thanks for the exercise! I’ll have to store this idea away for later. 🙂
July 2, 2010 at 9:58 AM
Yes, definitely save this idea, Pam. It sounds like the makings of a fascinating story!` 🙂
July 2, 2010 at 10:12 AM