Writing

As readers, we are tuned to find emotions in the text. As writers, our emotions definitely influence the way our “voice” appears on the page. (You usually know if someone was angry when writing an email, even if they don’t use ALL CAPS!) In this month’s writing voice exercise, we’ll experiment with channeling emotions into […]

In its nascent state, the glimmerings of a writing project contain a multitude of potential paths. This swirling uncertainty is part of the writing process, and our decisions here have lasting effects.

“Tone” is one of those intangible qualities of writing voice. Is your writing voice witty? Warm? Critical? Despairing? Even if you have a clear intention, the readers decide for themselves. They may bring context or baggage that you haven’t planned for.

Rivers change as water flows through them. To change the course of your writing voice, fill it with words.

We automatically shift our speaking voice based on the situation and our relationship with the listener.

We should make a similar shift when writing: we tune our words based on our imagined relationship with the reader.

Maintaining forward momentum is often our only option. Keep writing before the plaster dries.