Voice

Listening to language, spoken melodiously, is real treat.

Reading writing, written well, is even better.

The rhythm of language, keenly plucked, like a seasoned old bass in a jazz quartet, deliver's the writer's message.

We call such fusion of tone, idea, rhythm and words - voice. Like our signature, our writer's voice is individualistic.

Many of us are curiously drawn to read certain authors because of their unique voices. Columnists, poets, novelists, and historians, to name just a few, draw us in, as we hope for another dose of their special and individualistic brand of thought. Getting our message across, our voices heard, presents a special challenge.
The best way to present our voice, is to show it.

It is certainly not easy for the most of us, I believe. Sometimes, our earnest attempts to find our voices become lessons by themselves. The use of exaggerated melodramatic vocabulary, scenarios overlaid with selected adjectives and adverbs, plus the indiscriminate profanity and sexuality ..... so applicable to the monkey world nowadays about which the writer is writing, creates individual voices.

I will always remember the kind words of advice from a teacher of mine back in secondary school, La Sallian Brother Andrew, who graciously advised us to use our writing voices to reveal our innermost thoughts in an expressive manner that tells of our true nature, whilst at the same time, sternly forbade us from misrepresenting our voices and to show off in a very bad way.

I must admit that after so many years, I do still falter along the way.

Voice is like a fingerprint, a signature, unique to each writer.

Finding a writer's voice sometimes takes years; sometimes an endless pursuit. Life experiences impacts voice and tone. The words we choose, the tone we take, the stories we tell, the rhythm we snap - all help to establish voice.


Thus, I'll end this first post of 2010 with a word of gratitude to all my dear fellow bloggers who have helped me find the path to my voice, or at least closest to it.

And to the cherished bloggers who feel they are still fumbling with their words, fret not, continue finding your voice! ^_^




"Walk on a trail of loving kindness
 Walk on a path of compassion
 And all else around you will be beautiful."
 Every Blessing