Writing is not life, but I think that sometimes it can be a way back to life.
–Stephen King/On Writing
One of the bits of advice Stephen King likes to give aspiring writers is about voice: you should pick an audience to write to, preferably a particular person.
I don’t think I am very good at that, and it does make a difference.
The imaginary conversations are all, yes, imaginary…but they are conversations between me and a specific person. Usually one of three people. That is why I love writing them. It’s a chance to have a conversation go exactly the way I would like it to, or explore what-ifs. Sometimes it is the only way I will ever hear what I want to hear.
Some of my non-dialogue blogs are definitely written to particular people. If those people read them, they probably know that. To me it seems obvious, anyway. Some of the things I am most proud of are written to someone. Not that they don’t apply to anyone.
A lot of times, voice is a challenge.
It’s easier to have a unique voice, or to use my own particular voice, when I am writing about things that are personal. It’s natural.
When I am being more general, it’s harder, and I am not sure if that means that I should do that more in order to get better at it or if it’s a sign that I should stick to the personal.
I do know how to recognize a run-on sentence when I write one…
And when to shut down my iPad and go to bed.
Say goodnight, Gracie.