One of my biggest inspirations for narrative voice is that of the fictional character Holden Caulfield, from one of my favorite novels, Catcher in the Rye. Instead of worrying about what will look or sound right, focus on what is truly there in your mind and your memory- work with what you know. Being honest with yourself, your writing, and your experience will help you and your readers connect to your story. As difficult as it is for some of us to be honest, it is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself as a writer. One thing that helps me wade through this sea of difficulty is a simple word: Honesty. Narrative voice- authentic narrative voice-is one of the toughest techniques for a writer to master. Maybe it's from trying to project something in my story that was never really there. Maybe it comes from trying to tie up my story in a pretty little bow that will satisfy my teacher or friends. Maybe it's from trying to sound too perfect. I try to figure out where this contrived speech comes from. So many times I've looked over what I've written and thought "That doesn't sound like me! That's not how the story goes! That's not how we would say that! That's not how I would say that." Every time I go to write a personal narrative, one question haunts me: Will this sound true? What I mean is that I wonder whether my voice will sound authentic I wonder whether my voice will sound like me.
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