When I started writing years a go a certain word kept cropping up in all of the advice books that I read and that was 'voice'. I wasn't sure what they meant back then, I was a teenager and teaching myself the writing process so had no one to ask. Over the years though I realise it simply means your writing style. I've found that mine has changed over the years, lately it's been influenced slightly be Terry Pratchett but also generally just how I talk. For instance instead of just saying "The sun rose" my version seems to be "The sun pulled itself up over the horizon, with a silent groan." it's a little wordy but it shows personality and seems to work in YA books or fantasy works in particular. (I wouldn't use this in any literary work as it takes something away from the seriousness of literary work).
I recently tried writing poetry over the summer holiday, even submitted a few for publication but I realise I can't write traditional 'literary' poetry very well, mostly because I don't read it (with the exception of Emily Dickinson and Anne Bradstreet), however, I've recently noticed that nearly all of the children's books that are aimed at the 0-5 age range are basically all short story rhymes. I've been working on a couple and using my doodling skills (I fail miserably as a fine art painter) and am coming up with a few ideas. Which is good, because right now I don't have the time or inspiration to work on anything longer.
So I guess your 'voice' can transfer to other things as well, it's just a matter of working out what it is.
I always find that my style changes depending on what book I'm reading at the time, the worst bits of writing I did recently was when I was reading Angels in my Hair because she wasn't really a writer and didn't write like a writer.
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