Understanding Narrative Voice in Writing

The video discusses the importance of finding a unique narrative voice in writing. It shares personal experiences of struggling with voice, learning from other authors, and experimenting with different writing styles. The speaker emphasizes the value of emulating admired authors while also innovating to develop a distinct voice. A workshop activity is provided to help writers practice and refine their narrative voice.

What was the author's main issue with their first book?

• Too many grammatical errors

• Uninteresting setting

• Lack of a unique narrative voice

• Lack of a strong plot

How did the author realize the similarity in their characters' voices?

• Through reader feedback

• By re-reading their manuscript

• From literary agent rejections

• By comparing with other books

What genre did the author explore for their new project?

• Historical Fiction

• Middle Grade

• Mystery

• Science Fiction

Which book did the author read to understand strong narrative voice?

• Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan

• Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

• Savvy by Ingrid Law

What change did the author make in their writing style for the new book?

• Switched to third person past tense

• Used multiple protagonists

• Adopted first person present tense

• Focused on dialogue

What was the outcome of the author's second book?

• It was rejected by all agents

• It was self-published

• It received two offers of representation

• It was turned into a movie

What does the author suggest about writing fan fiction?

• It should be avoided

• It doesn't help in finding a voice

• It's a great exercise for writers

• It's only for beginners

What misconception do writers often have about genre-specific writing?

• Genres are all the same

• Genres require specific tense and perspective

• Genres have no specific style

• Genres are easy to write

How can different narrative voices describe the same setting?

• In exactly the same way

• By ignoring the setting

• With different perspectives and styles

• By focusing on plot

What is the purpose of the writing exercise mentioned in the video?

• To improve grammar

• To find a narrative voice

• To develop a plot

• To create characters