List items/behaviors/ideas that bother you.◦ It might help to think about where you go, what

you do, and the people you encounter on a regular basis.

Choose one to explore further in a quick write.

that sense of unique presence on the page an unmistakable something that becomes

the mark of a writer a way of saying things that is the writer’s

own a sign that the piece was written by a

human being

1. With words (diction)◦ Choice (vocabulary)◦ Arrangement (syntax)

2. Over time Because of writers they’ve read Because of choices they’ve made

By repeating subject matter. Using the same point of view. Conforming to a form.

Take a minute and think about your own writing.

What do you do that makes your writing yours?

What patterns exist in your writing?

This is one of those phrases you hear writers use.

Was it ever lost? You always have your voice, and it will

probably change over time. Concentrate on creating good writing, and

your distinctive sound will emerge.

Don’t worry; it happens automatically. We don’t choose it.

Seek to say something, and your voice will follow.

Work on broadening your vocabulary by reading.

It emerges when you write passionately.

You have a number of different voices, depending on your audience.

You speak differently in class than you do:◦@home◦@practice◦@a party

“Voice is born from a lot of work—but not just any words or any work will do. You have to bleed a little. You have to shiver a little. You have to love a lot—love your writing, love your failures, love your courage in going on in spite of them, love every small triumph that points toward eventual success. You already have a voice. It’s beautiful, it’s unique… Your job is to lead it from the darkest of the dark places and the deepest of the deep waters into the light of day.”

– Holly Lisle

Persona◦ Greek for “mask”◦ Pretending to be someone else◦ A mask adopted by a writer

Persona writing typically means “the creation of a voice for something or someone very different than the writer.”

This can be a great way to stretch imagination and writing style, to feed your own voice.

Remember: No written account can be the whole truth about an event.

Identify the person in the picture you are handed. If you don’t know them by name, that’s ok.

List qualities you think this person would have, just by looking at them.

List topics you think would be important to this person.

Adopt the persona of this person, and write about one of the topics you just listed.

Write a short piece from this person’s perspective. Remember, you are not writing your opinion of this

person, but imagining how this person sees the world.

A close relative to voice

Definition: the perspective from which the story is told◦ First person - I◦ Second Person - You◦ Third Person – He/she

Choose a person or a group of people as an audience.

Write two pieces:◦ One entirely made of commands.◦ One entirely composed of questions.

Alternately, you could choose to adopt the voice of someone you admire and become the audience yourself.

Include a short author’s note stating your intentions.

Develop your quick write from today into a polished draft about one of your pet peeves.

Write about yourself from the perspective of your shoes.

Write from a baby’s perspective—in the womb.

Write from the perspective of an animal. Write form the perspective of an inanimate

object looking for his/her mate.