Voice
We’ve all felt the warmth of a kind voice, the burn of a scolding voice, and the confusion of a dithering voice. We also know which of these voices kept our attention. Our readers also experience this interaction thanks to the array of picture books today. Later this month we’ll explore the range of voice on two levels. First, the voice of the narrator toward his audience. Second, the differences between a child’s voice and an adult’s voice in fiction.
I’ll be away the next three weeks, but wanted to leave you these wonderful visualizations of voice by Saul Steinberg. Do we write to confuse? To overwhelm? Or connect?
THE CATALOGUE by Saul Steinberg. World Publishing, 1962.
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I will be eagerly anticipating your posts on voice when you get back, George. Enjoy your time away!
Ahh!!! Are some pictures not worth a MILLION words these days? Those are great images that tell so much, and hint at the power of voice available to us in writing our tales. Can’t wait for these posts George…be sure you come back to us. Thanks.
Wonderful pictures! Thank-you.
OMG! The little girl in the bottom picture has the same voice as me! It’s like looking in the mirror!
Looking at the 2/8/2012 blog I had, would it be too effusive to call it, an epiphany. If I can visualize the voice as a line, I can make it more evident in my writing. I sent it to my friend who is on page 360 of a novel about redeemtion. He has just written a scene with pages and pages of dialogue. I thought maybe visualizing the voice as a line would make each one more distinctive. Great!