“When I read your blog, it doesn’t sound like it’s you.” My daughter tells me with her brows knit just a touch.
“Well, I… Wait! You read my blog?”
“Not all the posts, but most.” She rolls her eyes on the word ‘all’ like expecting her to read 138 short posts over the past two years would be just waytoomuch. And then, she returns to texting a friend.
So that’s what I’m left with. My writing doesn’t sound like me. Is that normal? Is that common? Is that…alright?
I hear murmurings now and then of something called “writer’s voice” and how all writers are looking for this and how most writers are ever so relieved when (and if) they ever come to find it.
Is it “writer’s voice” that my daughter is hearing? I didn’t hunt for it. It wasn’t a conscious effort. I didn’t try a few on for size before picking one, but I’m not completely oblivious to what she’s saying. I do know that when I started blogging, a certain approach and definite characteristic always came to the forefront. That still happens.
Writing is a craft after all. Thought should go into putting words on a page. Care should be taken when displaying them for all to read. Hopefully skill slides in there somewhere as well. I like to think that most people, non-writers included, scrawl very differently than they speak.
I’ve decided I’m flattered by my daughter’s observation and what she probably perceives as an oddity. After all, what are writers if not odd? Besides, it makes a notion I have of myself that much more notorious…
Out of the mouths of babes Hazy!
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Not much choice there, huh?!
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From personal experience, I can tell you I certainly can write better than I talk. Words flow off my fingertips so much more effortlessly than they do out of my mouth 😉 And, for me at least, my writer voice is a more authentic representation of me, I think 😉 Each person has their unique way of contributing to the world. For some it’s acting, for some it’s talking, for others it is through the use of finely crafted words. Sounds like you are succeeding on several fronts, thanks for sharing and best wishes for an inspired day!
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Hey Dave!
I’m on your team. I would choose to write over speak morning, noon or night and, I agree, a writer’s voice is most likely a more authentic version of the writer himself. Funny how we can be such a shy bunch and yet, private thoughts and guarded secrets can pour out onto the page ‘somewhat’ effortlessly. (I say ‘effortlessly’ through a clenched jaw, of course.)
I really appreciate you stopping by and commenting. I hope to see you again!
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Hmmmm…..I think I am pretty much the same person when speaking or writing my blog. I don’t think I am much different in person. Then again, my blog makes me sound like a crazy person now and then!
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That makes sense Phil, seeing as you write all about you…what you’re eating , drinking, doing…you stay the authentic you. I call a blog like yours a “reality blog”…! LOL. Phil being Phil. Don’t go changin’. It works!! 🙂
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I can super relate. Though I’m just a frustrated blogger… some people say the same thing to me. Not just when they read my blog, but also when they see my text messages or long e-mails
I guess my thoughts are much more understandable when I write it down rather than when I speak them out,
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Hi Shy,
We sound the same. I tend to get down and deep…er, than most people expect or want. Ha ha! Part of my nature. Oh well, I’m sure our peeps have learned to ‘skim’ by now! ;0)
Thank you for stopping by and for commenting!
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I would much rather write something down than say it, Hazy 😀 I find my words get mixed up in my head and come out all wrong. My greatest fear is stuttering (even though I’ve never had a stutter – I’m an odd ball!)
You have a lovely ‘writer’s voice 😉
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I feel pretty much 100% the same way. Yikes! Ha ha…
And, I thank you for encouraging my writer’s voice…it’s a little shy sometimes and needs all the support it can get! ;0)
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I wonder what she thought when she read this…
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Yet to be seen, Dex. She’s been busy turning 13 these days. No time to read an old lady’s blog! 🙂
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Or, no inclination to let you know she’s still reading it. Hard to say. Even harder to get her to say… 😉
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I’ve often wondered about my writer’s “voice.” No one has ever mentioned that I sound different, but I’ve been told by those who read me regularly that they detect my voice. In my last job, I was a PR person for a state agency, so I often did interviews. My daughter told me I didn’t sound like me when I did interviews. Her boyfriend told her it was because I was in my “public” persona. I have no idea what that means except that I must change depending on the audience. I wonder if my writing does that? All I know is your writing makes me think, and that’s a good thing.
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It’s like “public parenting”, PC. Much more politically correct. Ha ha! ;0)
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I just read a comment on another post that was written in ebonics. I visibly cringed. Then I read your post with the great saying. I laughed and laughed. Thank you.
~ Darling
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Umm, thank you?
Ha ha, you’re welcome, Darling.
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