Do You Know Your Voice?

As a writer approaches their craft, they must determine what their “voice” will be and then remain consistent with it—never confusing the reader. In my case, as a Christian, I’ve decided my voice in my romance novels would not drop F-bombs or other crude language. Also, there’d be no vulgar or graphic sex and violence. My goal is to provide readers with a safe, clean, and considerate story full of blossoming love, surprises, and positivity at a later stage in life.

Have I been tempted to compromise along the way? You bet! All the time! Satan wants me to lower my standards by telling me I’d sell more books, make more money, and have a greater shot at becoming famous if I’d only follow his voice! Fortunately, my trust is in my Lord to do all these things and much more, if it’s His will. You see, with God going ahead of my writing, I never worry.

I know other authors will write differently from me, using other standards to build their plots and characters, and that their readership base will differ vastly from mine. That’s their right and business. However, like me, once they’ve settled on their “voice”, they must then stay true to it because readers like predictability in style, tone, and message—and audience building and retention are crucial for any writer.

They, too, will be tempted at times to chase after another voice running around inside their heads. They should ignore all those voices except for the One, the Creator of all that is seen and unseen. We must control our voice, and not the other way around. So, I say, be vigilant and give no room to any wrong voice that’s nagging you to move in another direction!

“I am listening carefully to all the Lord is saying—for he speaks peace to his people, his saints, if they will only stop their sinning.” (Psalm 85:8 TLB)