What Is a Writing Voice?
Voice is the distinct personality,style, or point of view of a piece of writing or any other creative work. Voice is what Simon Cowell is talking about when he tells "American Idol" contestants to make a song their own and not just do a note-for-note karaoke version. Many musicians have played "The Star-Spangled Banner," for instance, but there's a world of difference between the Boston Pops' performance and Jimi Hendrix's, even though the basic melody is the same.
So, in essence, the voice of a piece is the real you coming through.
Writing Prompt:
Some people have creative jobs. Think of a creative job you would like to have. Write a paragraph explaining this job. Show your voice.
EXAMPLE:
One of the most creative jobs I can find myself atrtacted to comes out of the solar energy field. Let's face it, the remnants of dinosaurs and the fauna of that time period will not last forever, yet some of us are heading for the future ill prepared for the harsh realities of changing life on Earth. What is it about human kind, we seem to prefer burying our heads and acting as if nothing will happen; instead of becoming proactive most of us sit and let others think for us. Well, if indeed that is what we are looking at, then I want to become a bellowing voice for sustainable resources. I've always felt responsible for my footprints on mother Earth, and I will continue to use, but not abuse, her hospitality by encouraging others to take the right step towards being self sufficient on a grid of solar power. Sun, she has nurtured us for billions of years, and will continue to do so if we only act responsibly.
My voice is apparent in this paragraph, it is opinionated, "let's face it, What is it about humankind?," the sense of urgency can be heard in my regular communications voice. My students are always asking me why I refer to Earth and the Sun as a female, it is my voice.
EXAMPLE: (trying humor)
I love dogs, or perhaps I should say C-L-E-A-N dogs. If life is so "short" then why have a job you hate? That's why I'm leaning towards a salon for curling dog hair. Of course, it will have to be on wheels, so I can perform my job at sites I like, for instance, on the beach or at a breezy park. The overhead cost would be minimal because all I would need, besides the van, would be some hair pins, curlers, clamps, and a curling iron. I'ld plug "that puppy" into my generator, heat it up, and start curliing. Could you imagine a new dog style would take over Sarasota! Holy Moly, animal owners would be knocking my door down to get me to work magic on their canines.Oh, life would be so sweet doing just what I wanted to do, when I wanted to do it, and for whom I would want to work with! I would get all kinds of unconditional love licks and get paid, who could ask for anything more?!