#NovelMaker Week 4 - Voice

#NovelMaker
Week 4: Check-In
This was a crazy week! I did hit my writing goals, but it wasn’t pretty. I noticed that after next week, I’m supposed to be getting 7,000 words/week and I’m going to have to be much more consistent with my time management. 
You would be so proud of structure work. My book has morphed into a dual timeline/dual POV story (because why make it easy), and I’m working hard to make sure both stories are rich. I’m still not sure of the ending, though. Thursday night in bed, I made my husband discuss whether the husband should kill the wife. He hates to talk at this time of day, so he was already in tune with the subject. This decision brings me back to genre again. Am I writing a thriller? If so, it’s a much different story with different expectations about the entire book, not just the ending. I’m really hoping all of you have a better handle on your story than I have on mine. 

🔎 Last Week’s Recap

• Key Takeaway 1 → There are no unnecessary characters. Every single one should serve a purpose in your story.
• Key Takeaway 2 → It’s the inconsistencies between what a character says they want and the actions they take to get it and what they really want that make for a compelling story.
• Key Takeaway 3 → Publishing books is a business. This was on here last week, too, but I’m going to leave it because it’s so important to keep in mind.

📚 Next Week’s Focus: Voice
What is Voice?
In fiction, voice is the distinct personality, style, and tone of your writing. It’s what makes your story sound like you—and no one else. I relied on it so heavily in my first book, my close friends all said they felt like I was talking to them the whole time. Voice is also what keeps readers coming back book after book. No matter the plot or characters, they love your voice.
There are two key types of voice:

1. Authorial Voice – This is your natural storytelling style. It's shaped by your vocabulary, rhythm, sentence structure, humor, and perspective.
2. Character Voice – This is how individual characters "speak" in dialogue or internal monologue. It should reflect their background, mood, and personality.

Why Voice Matters

• Grabs attention – A strong voice hooks readers from the first sentence.
• Builds immersion – Voice creates a mood and tone that draws readers into your characters’ world.
• Makes stories memorable – Even a simple plot can feel fresh with a unique voice.

🔥 The Power of Voice in Fiction
1. Voice Is What Readers Fall in Love With
Plot hooks your curiosity. But voice? Voice hooks your heart. It’s the soul of a story, the thing that makes a reader lean in, sit back, and say, “I’ll follow this narrator anywhere.”
Consider this example:

• “We were somewhere around Barstow on the edge of the desert when the drugs began to take hold.” — Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

You don’t just get information—you feel the attitude, the rhythm, the presence of a unique narrator. That’s voice.

2. Voice Creates Intimacy
Whether it's first person or close third, a strong voice creates emotional closeness. It makes readers feel like they know the narrator or character—like they're sitting across from them, hearing the story over coffee or confessions.
This is especially powerful in:

• Coming-of-age stories
• Psychological fiction
• Literary and character-driven works

When done well, voice bridges the gap between fiction and real life. The reader forgets they’re reading. They’re just experiencing.

3. Voice Makes the Familiar Feel New
Think about how many books share similar plots: love stories, hero’s journeys, mysteries, and how, as we’ve discussed, most share just a few proven structures. But each author’s voice makes their version feel fresh.
It’s how the story is told that matters.
You can write a "chosen one" fantasy story or a small-town romance—and with the right voice, it becomes wholly yours. That’s why readers return to their favorite authors, even when the genre or themes are familiar.

4. Voice Is the Key to Memorable Characters
Characters don’t become iconic just because of what they do—they become unforgettable because of how they sound. The voice of Holden Caulfield or Elizabeth Bennet isn’t just in their dialogue—it’s woven into the narrative tone.
strong voice = distinct personality.
Readers don’t just observe these characters—they hear them, and our goal is always to put our readers right inside the stories with our characters.

5. Voice Builds Trust
An authentic voice makes readers trust you—even if the narrator is unreliable. Why? Because voice signals control. It shows you, the author, know exactly what you’re doing.
It whispers to the reader, "Relax. I’ve got you. You’re in good hands."
 
🗂 Additional Resources Related to Voice
One of the most common reasons given in agent rejections is not connecting with the voice of your novel. But this can be very tricky to interpret as feedback. Consider the following:
 

• Jane Friedman’s take on what is voice in our writing.
• Literary Agents Not Connecting with Voice – What That Actually Means by Matt Malatesta

• The power of writing honestly considered in Robert Lee Brewer’s article, How Do I Find My Voice in Writing?

🚀 This Week’s Challenge
Write a paragraph describing a rainy day—twice:

1. First, in your natural author voice. Be honest. Be you.
2. Then, write the same scene from the POV of a sleep-deprived teenage barista who's late for their shift.

Notice how word choice, tone, and rhythm shift? That’s voice in action.

 
Don’t chase trends or try to sound like someone else. Developing your authentic voice takes time and practice. But once you find it, readers will recognize your stories anywhere. Enjoy writing this week!
Best, 
Eliza