Mulling Over Voice, Theme and Style

Voice, theme and style are what separate good writers from great writers. Some writers can write for decades never really finding a strong voice, a distinctive style or a theme that resonates with a large audience. So practice now! Make an effort to work on each of these aspects in your daily writing exercises. How so? First consider the definitions of all three.

A writer's voice refers to the individual writing style of the author. This is the author's rhythm, his flow and unique word usage. Technically, it refers to the combination of syntax, diction, punctuation used to show character development through prose and dialogue. A writer's voice has been called the "fingerprint" of an author, something very unique that can never be perfectly duplicated. Most new writers do not have a voice when they begin their career, even though they might already have a distinctive way of speaking. Teachers usually advise creative writing students to experiment with different literary styles and techniques in their practice writing. This helps them to develop their unique voice over time. One mildly popular theory is that a writer's voice is mainly of prominence in American culture. Whether or not this is true, one can't deny that a writer's authoritative voice adds long-standing value to a writer's works.

Style involves a book's presentation. It's not so much the story itself, but the manner in which the information is conveyed. It usually refers to language conventions that are used to construct a story. Some of the same characteristics of writing voice are involved in style, such as diction, sentence structure, phrasing, dialogue and mood. The only difference is that style seems to be more concerned with mechanical writing; proper formatting and punctuation, professional-caliber standards. Voice has more to do with the writer's unique personality and passion. If a writer wants to get noticed by the publishing world then it would do her well to work on elements of both style and voice.

Finally, there is the theme of the writing. Thematic elements are not only judged according to individual stories, but can also become attached to a writer's entire career. Everybody knows that Stephen King writes about horror; this is the recurring theme that identifies his work. A theme is also described as a conceptual distillation of the story. It serves to unify all elements of a work and present a central idea to the reader at the introduction and conclusion of a book. This creates cohesion and answers the all-important question, "What do I, the reader, learn from this piece of fiction?"

How can you improve your own voice, style and theme? As stated, try exploring different styles of writing, mimicking the styles of well-known authors as an education experiment. Analyze what subjects you are drawn to and why you enjoy them. What advice could you give a stranger if they asked you for your opinion? Convert these opinions into unifying themes. Take notes on the author's voice and style and determine what you like and dislike. Now you're on your way to improve your voice and being heard in the literary world.