Blog (2023)

So, voice.

         I need not put pen to paper to make my voice heard. A "voice" is the very essence of my being, and from a tender age, I've been blessed with a "rebellious" one. I can still vividly remember my father's words, "You ought to have pursued a career in law!" He was always one to express his opinions with fervour. I remain a rebel in all my pursuits, even to this day.

         I beg to differ on the notion that "voice" dominates supreme as the paramount element of a "story" or any written work, but in the case of composing a blog post intended for public consumption, I concur. In order to make a living as a writer, one must possess the ability to adapt to the unique "voices" of others when composing works such as memoirs or biographies. As the adage goes, "Each individual possesses a narrative to recount about their own life." Should you fail to discover your true self, expressing your thoughts and opinions to others may prove to be a daunting task.

         There appears to be no definitive guidance on the development and preservation of a narrator's or character's voice, as each writer has their own unique approach. The concept of "narration" is essentially a matter of "point of view", taking on the guise of "first-person", "second-person," or "third-person" in order to convey the voice of your "character" in either a work of fiction or non-fiction. It is important to distinguish this from the "writer's" voice. In this composition, the author employs a first-person narrative to convey his personal knowledge and opinions, a second-person perspective to address the reader, and a third-person point of view for general information. One has the ability to fabricate any vocal persona for any fictional individual. Not every writer would infuse their authentic "voice" into their "fiction," but there exist a few who do so, owing to their unwavering "convictions" and the principles they "embrace" in their existence. If one lacks a clear sense of personal values and beliefs, then indeed, there may be little substance to articulate or advocate for. The phrase that springs to mind evokes the famous quote from the film Sucker Punch: "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything."

         Pornography is a realm of fantasy, where the characters' voices are crafted to suit the writer's whims and fancies. Not every performer in the adult entertainment industry conforms to the roles they portray on screen. Such a presumption would be tantamount to perpetuating stereotypes. In reality, these individuals may very well be just as unremarkable as the average person, going about their daily business like the rest of us.

         The use of the term "voice" in lieu of "active" or "passive" strikes me as a suboptimal selection of nomenclature, as I perceive it to be a writing technique. In my writing, I tend to favour the term "style" over "voice" when referring to the active or passive style that characterises my written expression.

         Opting for an engaging presentation or prioritising the representation over the object are both stylistic decisions that a writer may make. For numerous individuals, the "active" style is their preferred option, yet I do not deem it to be the case for myself. Each plays a distinct role in conveying the author's intended meaning to the reader. The active style is predominantly favoured in the realm of advertising and marketing copywriting, as it imparts a sense of immediacy and demands a response. As previously noted under the classification of "style," there exist a plethora of other "styles" that can captivate the reader's attention, including but not limited to demonstrating rather than stating, employing evocative language, and even fashioning striking visualisations.

         The conventional preaching within the writing community regarding the necessity of utilising "active" over "passive" is, in my humble opinion, an imprecise prescription for proper stylistic usage in writing. To be frank, I am among those writers who opt for a passive style to achieve a reflective writing voice whenever feasible. It tends to be less conformist for readers when written voice exudes a pensive and introspective quality, delving into the notion of voice from various perspectives and linking it to individual convictions and encounters. The style can be characterised as relaxed and colloquial.

         The responsibility falls upon the writer to articulate their unique voice, selecting from a range of narrative techniques and stylistic approaches that best align with their intended presentation.