Comments on: Your Voice Is the Point. Stop Toning It Down

By: Diann T. Read/ D.T. Read

Diann T. Read/ D.T. Read — Sat, 23 May 2026 14:08:44 +0000

I'm currently working for a client on what's supposed to be just a copy and line edit of his manuscript. What do you do when the author's voice is word salad? It's a mashup of sentence fragments, a *lot* of run-on sentences, too few dialog tags, and otherwise incomprehensible bits that I have to read three times to discern what he means. He's a native English speaker, so it's not a matter of struggling with a new language. I'm pretty sure he didn't work with a developmental editor before he sent the manuscript to me. Like you, Jenn, I strive not to touch an author's voice, but this one definitely needs help.

By: Karen lin

Karen lin — Thu, 21 May 2026 08:52:02 +0000

The author of Midnight's Children,Salman Rushdie.
Every sentence was beautiful, as if more important than the story, more important than the plot. Each word adds to the poetry.

By: Ellen Buikema

Ellen Buikema — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:59:57 +0000

I wonder if genre plays into this too. My voice is firmly woven into my chapter book series, but not so much in the historical fiction manuscript I'm revising. I will ponder this further.

Great post!

By: Jenn Windrow

Jenn Windrow — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:36:15 +0000

In reply to Jackie Rod. It really does. It makes each book you write uniquely yours.

By: Jenn Windrow

Jenn Windrow — Tue, 19 May 2026 17:35:47 +0000

In reply to Adele Park. Thank you! And just keep working at it, I am sure one day it will just suddenly appear, and once it does you will be so happy.

By: Jackie Rod

Jackie Rod — Tue, 19 May 2026 14:53:45 +0000

Great post. I am a big believer in VOICE. It enhances the personality of the writer onto each page.

By: Adele Park

Adele Park — Tue, 19 May 2026 10:20:12 +0000

What a fantastic article. Thank you. I have fought for and still do, to use my authentic voice when I write.

By: Jenny Hansen

Jenny Hansen — Mon, 18 May 2026 23:52:10 +0000

In reply to Jenn Windrow.

But f-bombs certainly have their place with some characters.

🙂 🙂 🙂

By: Jennifer Windrow

Jennifer Windrow — Mon, 18 May 2026 23:20:23 +0000

In reply to Lisa Norman. Getting that first draft down, and then editing in your voice is not a horrible way to do it. It at least ensures that you know the best place to really add your voice.

By: Jennifer Windrow

Jennifer Windrow — Mon, 18 May 2026 23:19:15 +0000

In reply to Alicia Butcher Ehrhardt. It’s a wonderful feeling when your voice comes natural to you! It does for me as well!