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What Exactly is "Voice"?

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When asked what makes or breaks a manuscript, acquisitions editors overwhelmingly agree that voice is the most important thing. But what does that mean? Even those of us who are studying writing and have taken whole novel courses struggle to pinpoint the definition of this word.  Created via the  imgflip meme generator However, I got a more solid understanding while at the LTUE writers conference this past weekend. The following advice is adapted from what I learned in a presentation by the author Shelly Brown . Any brilliance found in this blog post should be credited to her.  What is a Writing Voice? Created via the imgflip meme generator In its simplest form, voice is personality . Through voice, actors and characters show who they are.  Author Voice vs. Character Voice Created via the  imgflip meme generator Author voice and character voice are two very different things. However, I write in the first person, so I've got a bit of a cheat code (hehehehe). But...
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Is An English Degree Worth the Risk?

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If you've ever considered getting an English degree, I am certain you have heard the same phrase repeated over and over: "What's your backup plan?" Because of this, getting a degree in English can feel like an incredible risk that's not worth your time. Well, as someone who is less than a month away from receiving this degree, I have a lot to say about the highs and lows and the particulars of the experience. If you're at all interested, give this post a read. You might be surprised at what you learn. Created via the  imgflip meme generator The Course Work One of the number one things English majors say online is this: It's a lot of reading. And, believe me, they are not exaggerating. There is an incredible, almost impossible amount of reading that goes along with this degree. So much reading that if you even think you'll have time to read for fun, you are just kidding yourself. The reading itself is good though, and it teaches you writing techniques t...
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Knowing When to Take a Break

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Although it's essential to keep writing and not give up on a story, it's also necessary to allow yourself occasional breaks. This may seem a bit contradictory, given the topic of my last blog, but I think that this subject is equally as important. Created via the  imgflip meme generator A Break or Procrastination? This can be a difficult question to answer. How do you know if you're taking a necessary break or if you're just procrastinating on a difficult project? In my experience, this has to do with when you've chosen to take your break. Is it happening during a bout of writer's block? Sorry, but in most cases, that would qualify as procrastination.  Created via the  imgflip meme generator When would it be considered a necessary break, then? For me, these types of breaks come between drafts. In fact, many published authors recommend taking at least a few weeks after each draft. Then, you can look at your piece with fresh eyes. Some authors choose to start a ne...
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