Your narrative voice, offering emotion and depth, should feel as authentic as your characters. Take the time to choose the best narrative voice for an engaging storytelling experience.
What is narrative voice?
Narrative voice is how a writer expresses their story—through style, word choice, and tone. It shapes the reader’s experience, with some writers using a consistent voice across their works, while others create a new narrator for each story.
Narrators vary in their approach; some provide comprehensive information, while others, like Tom and Beth in The Serial Killer’s Wife by Alice Hunter, are intentionally unreliable, revealing only what they choose.
Pick your Point of view
Depending on the point of view you want to use, your narrator can be someone from the story (first person) or an outside observer of events (third person, second person, omniscient).
Here’s a quick reminder of the different POVs.
First person narrator
First person narration is usually done by a major character such as the protagonist, although there are some exceptions.
My heart raced as the soldiers advanced. The manor was at least an hour’s distance by foot leaving no time to warn the others.
Examples:
- Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
- Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
- The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Second person narrator
In second-person narration, an observer of the story addresses the reader as if they are actively participating in the unfolding events.
Your heart races as the soldiers advance. The manor is at least an hour’s distance by foot leaving you no time to warn the others.
Examples:
- You by Caroline Kepnes
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- Bright Lights, Big City by Jay McInerney
Third-person narrator
In the third-person limited POV, the narrator acts as an observer concentrating on a specific character, often the protagonist. This perspective grants the narrator the ability to convey the character’s thoughts and emotions directly to the reader.
Eleanor’s heart raced as the soldiers advanced. The manor was at least an hour’s distance by foot leaving her no time to warn the others.
Examples:
- Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
- Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo
- A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
Omniscient narrator
Finally, an omniscient narrator can focus on and share the thoughts and feelings of any character they choose. This can be tricky because you need to give readers a chance to ‘get out of one head’ before moving into another. It’s a fine line between omniscient and head-hopping.
Eleanor’s heart raced as the soldiers advanced. Ashling Manor was at least an hour’s distance by foot, leaving her no time to warn the others.
Across town, Leon the magician’s apprentice hurried to the tavern where he’d left his horse. With luck, he’d be able to reach his mother and sister before…
If you’re considering writing in this POV, I recommend reading some of the examples below for guidance.
Examples:
- The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
- The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
- Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Select the tone
There’s a misconception that certain narrative voices are tied to specific genres. Fantasy novels, it’s believed, require a serious narrator like The Lord of the Rings, and romantic novels should always have a female narrator. However, your narrator’s voice depends on the tone you want for your story. For instance, some zombie novels, such as The Girl with All the Gifts by Mike Carey, have a serious feel, while others, like Max Brooks’ The Zombie Survival Guide, adopt a lighthearted and humorous approach.
Some examples of narrative voice:
- Conversational
- Witty
- Formal
- Youthful
- Caring
- Authoritative
- Distant
- Anecdotal
- Poetical
- Pompous
- Melancholic
Problems
Just like any character, narrators come with their own challenges most of which can be avoided with careful planning. Below are a few examples.
Self-Indulgent Narration
Narrators who ramble on without reaching the point or seem to love the sound of their own voice risk losing readers’ interest. This is especially true for verbose narrators who are excessively descriptive. While discussing the scenery can add to the world-building, it shouldn’t overshadow the story, as it can lead readers to put the book down and in favor of doing the dishes.
Fix
Go through your manuscript and look for long blocks of text. If you spot any ensure lengthy descriptive passages make sure they are essential. Cut any parts that interrupt action or dialogue. If the narration doesn’t significantly contribute or slows the plot, you’ll need to decide whether it’s really needed.
Inauthentic Voice
In first-person narratives, the character’s speech and thoughts should match their personality. When it becomes clear that these belong to the writer, it leads to an inauthentic reading experience. For instance, if your narrator is a child, their language should feel “childlike.” Similarly, if your narrator is a teenage girl, their voice should authentically resonate with that character, ensuring they don’t sound like a forty-year-old man..
Fix
Carefully select your narrator, as thorough research is essential for authenticity. Beware of using buzzwords and slang, as they can date your novel and sound out of place in the wrong context. Seek opinions from readers within the same demographic and be open to making adjustments if needed.
Inconsistent voice
Inconsistency in voice occurs when the narrator begins speaking in one manner and, as the story unfolds, shifts to another. In the worst-case scenario, there may even be a change in the point of view (POV). This inconsistency can confuse readers and suggest that your story hasn’t been properly edited.
Fix
Start your story by testing different POVs and narrators in the first chapter until you pinpoint the most effective one. Give them a few go-to phrases or sentence patterns, subtly weaving them into the novel. Don’t overuse them, but make sure there’s enough to distinctly identify the narrator. Once finished, enlist someone for a thorough check to ensure consistency across the narrative.
Conclusion
A skillful narrator enhances reader engagement, infusing depth and emotional tone into your story. Whether actively participating or observing, they should feel as real as your other characters. By investing time in their creation, you ensure consistency, adding an authentic layer to your novel.
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