CAN VOICE BE TAUGHT

[JackBludis]

In one sense, voice cannot be taught, just as good writing
cannot be taught, but it can be learned.

I think voice is developed from writing thousands upon
thousands, even millions of words, and of course reading
more words than we write.

Summary: Voice can't be taught, unless the student has the
ability to learn, but I think most learn it by
assimilation.

[Dana King]

The best teacher I ever had steadfastly maintained no one can teach you anything; you learn it all yourself. A teacher is a guide, making suggestions about what might work best for you, trying to keep you away from blind alleys, and providing encouragement when the inevitable frustrations ensue. He's a musician, and that was a different life, but I think the point is still well made. Everyone can learn voice; the trick is whether that voice is appropriate to the story it's telling.

[Mari Sloan]

I could not agree with you more.Thank you for saying exactly what I would have said if my brain had been working.
:-) Mari

[Mari Sloan]

I would like to think I have my own voice. I want to be sure I don't have someone else's. It's arrogant to even consider when faced with someone with your productivity. I'm a Mari Come Lately with my first published novel.
:-) Mari

[JackBludis]

I actually made that comment a light-year ago, but I realized that it was still hanging to be sent, so I sent it. I think someone else started it.

[Pepper Smith]

I tend to agree, mostly because I can look back on my own work and see it happening. I used to write with a schoolmate, and when I started writing on my own, it was like starting from scratch voicewise. It took two or three novellas to change from that combo voice of the writing partnership to something that was recognizably my own. Only way to do it really is by writing until the voice is your own.