Staying True

"To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard."

~ Allen Ginsberg

Voice. Everyone's got one...even if you're mute. I'm talking about a writing voice. How you arrange words, what words you choose, even what words you avoid leave a distinct impression on a reader. That's your voice.

Agents and publishers are always looking for "new" voices...but what if they don't like your voice? Newsflash: they just might. Because a writer's voice is distinctive and writing is subjective, not everyone is going to love your writing.

Think of it as in the music realm. I happen to love Mac Powell's voice (from Third Day). He's my all-time favorite and I buy everything the man puts out. But (and I've always got a big but) some of my friends think he sounds like a frog (no offense, Mac). So either I--and Mac--can get angry and bitter about that, or I can keep on enjoying his music and let my friends enjoy theirs.

All this to say that your writing, your voice, is going to rub some people the wrong way. Don't make the mistake of changing your 'voice' to please everyone. You'll simply end up with a sore throat and the same percentage of those who won't like your writing, plus agents and publishers will turn you down flat. They know when someone is straining. 

Stay true and hold the course no matter what any mortal says.