Your Voice

Last month I mentioned the ultimate goal of every writer, whether experienced or a beginner—we want our audience to take away a particular idea or concept from our writing.

While that may be our reason for writing a particular prose, it is influenced by how we say it. Otherwise known as the elusive author’s voice. Everyone has something to say and a unique way to say it.

It’s part of the art of communication, how we express ourselves to others makes us unique and it is a result of many factors. For the sake of time I want to focus on four factors, particularly the last.

• Situational: the situation we’re trying to express ourselves in.
• Developmental/education: our education and how we process information.
• Environment/culture: the circumstances and our surroundings.
• Physical/abilities: how we best express ourselves or are able/disabled

Yes, even people with disabilities have a unique voice.

Voice?

I think our actual voices are something we take for granted every day. You never know how important it is until you lose it. After I had my accident, I literally lost my unique voice. When I talked, I spoke in a monotone voice like Forrest Gump. I couldn’t hear it at first, but after listening to my therapist’s recording, it was clear as a whistle, I only had to listen.

Fortunately, I had recorded the greeting on my answering machine. My therapist’s treatment involved listening to that greeting over and over until I got used to my distinct voice characteristics. I would’ve never have known my voice had been lost, if someone hadn’t pointed it out to me.

The same principle applies to an author’s voice. After blogging for a half decade, I never really heard my voice until Christian author DiAnn Mills listened to my writing and shared her thoughts with me.

After years of writing about my struggles of being disabled and single, I had developed a transparent and vulnerable writing voice. It’s ironic; my strength in writing is in knowing my weakness.

At this point, I should confess that there are many other authors and professionals who can explain voice better than I can. I am still new to this, that’s why I write for Almost An Author.

I do know most writers struggle to develop a unique voice and often confuse it with what they think “their” voice is. Other writers know what it’s not:

1. Your angle.
2. Your delivery.
3. Your platform.

Your voice is unique to you and your personality; it develops the more you write. Christian literary agent Rachel Gardner puts it this way, “Your writer’s voice is an expression of YOU on the page.”

When you write, your audience should hear your voice, kind of like the greeting on my answering machine in college.

Hearing?

Each time I write I try to focus on what I am trying to say to my audience and I try to visualize them. I think about how I can best communicate an idea in my own personal way.

It may not be perfect or the most intellectual prose, but it will be my words and hopefully they will hear my voice. Gardner continues:

“It’s a unique conglomeration of your:

• Thoughts
• Feelings
• Passions
• Dreams
• Beliefs
• Fears
• Attitudes” (from What is Writers Voice, 2010)

After living with a disability for over 20 years, I’ve learned its okay to be different—to be me. I don’t have to be the next Jerry B. Jenkins, C. S. Lewis or Francis Chan. They have their stories to tell and I have my own narratives, ideas and beliefs to share in a way only I can.

The same goes for you. As you write, think about who you are, what you’ve been through and how you feel.

Over time you will find your voice.

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Truamatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at Spiritual Perspectives of Da Single Guy and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.