"edge" and "voice"

starscape · Feb 10, 2009

Hello,

I read that some agents specify a novel with an edge or a strong voice. They favor that kind.

For example:
http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/books/agent/user19/

He specialises in mainstream books with an edge and a voice rather than straight genre.

What does "edge" or "voice" mean, plz? Are they important to a writer?

( Sorry, they don't teach that here. )

Thanks

sunandshadow · Feb 11, 2009

Voice is mainly word choice. Imagine that you are reading a letter written by a friend or a relative - different people speak with distinct traits and that shows up as different word choices, and to some extent sentence structure, when their speech is written down. A narrator's or character's voice can sound chatty, archaic, wryly humorous, innocently clueless, or any number of personalities.

Edge generally means that the content of the book is a daring choice, often something violent or gritty, sometimes something kinky or exotic.

dawinsor · Feb 11, 2009

Starscape, I love books with a strong voice, but it's hard to do well. I blogged about it recently:

http://dawtheminstrel.livejournal.com/206459.html

Alicia Rasley's book, The Power of Point of View, is really helpful on voice if you're looking for more.

starscape · Feb 11, 2009

dawinsor, that's a nice log.

Do you think The Song of Ice and Fire, which is famous for its POV, is a fine example?

dawinsor · Feb 12, 2009

I love Song of Ice and Fire. However, when I first started reading it, it took me a while to get into it because there are so many POVs. Obviously, they're controlled and well done, but I'd just start to get attached to a character and then we'd get shuttled off to someone else. It helped that at first most of the POVs were in the Stark family so at least we still saw the character whose POV we'd just been in, though it was through someone else's eyes.

Just last week, I dragged out the first four books of the series to reread because other wise I'll never remember what's happening when the new one comes out. Whenever that might be!

starscape · Feb 12, 2009

I agree with you. I barely remembered anything in the first book when I started reading the 2nd book.

So I look forward to the HBO show now.

Amy R. · Feb 12, 2009

starscape said:
I agree with you. I barely remembered anything in the first book when I started reading the 2nd book.

So I look forward to the HBO show now.

I don't look forward to the HBO show.

I look forward to George R.R. Martin finishing the series...and I fear I will wait forever. Why can't he please, please continue writing this series...sigh.

Telstar · Feb 13, 2009

I have decided that I'll never read it (past the first book), until he finishes it.

Libbie · Feb 13, 2009

The audiobook versions of ASOIAF are excellent. I find them to be a great way to catch up on the past "episodes" before I read the next one coming out.

Can't wait for A Dance with Dragons. I hear he's getting close! I can understand why it is taking so long--it's got such an involved, well-done plot, it's got to be hard to bring it all together and do everything justice.

Eldritch · Feb 13, 2009

To learn more about voice, check out Les Edgerton's FINDING YOUR VOICE.
I love this book. Highly recommend it.

Libbie · Feb 13, 2009

Seconded! that is a wonderful book.

"edge" and "voice"

starscape

Busy with a number of networks

sunandshadow

Impractical Fantasy Animal

dawinsor

Dorothy A. Winsor

starscape

Busy with a number of networks

dawinsor

Dorothy A. Winsor

starscape

Busy with a number of networks

Amy R.

Telstar

I create people

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar

Eldritch

Libbie

Worst song played on ugliest guitar