Need to Find Your Writing Voice? "Process & Voice in the Writing Workshop" Can Help

Most writers know what they want to write about, but knowing how to write it can be challenging. So, you ask yourself:

How do I get started? 
How do I describe my characters? 
How do I convey action to my readers?

If you’ve asked yourself these questions, but have yet to find answers, you may want to read Dr. Gregory Shafer’s book, Process & Voice in the Writing Workshop.

Shafer, an English professor, initially wrote this book to help his students who were overwhelmed with the writing process. But, Shafer shares solid advice that is beneficial to all writers, not just college students. 

Shafer starts by giving a few suggestions to "awaken the writer" before the process begins:

The first step in making composition a rewarding experience is to do things that might seem antithetical. First, you must learn to relax, loosen up, to simply refuse to care too much. 

The best writers in the world are those who aren't paralyzed with the idea that their first drafts might not be perfect. They are people who see composing as an opportunity to create rather than a possibility to fail. They don't allow themselves the luxury of getting uptight, because they know the importance of clear, broad imaginative thinking. They seem to know that if they become too cautious, their writing will seem tentative and reserved. It will lack the "attitude" that readers always enjoy…

Next, you must learn to take chances, to become daring, to be a risk-taker. This might be a little strange, when I just told you to relax, but the two go together. 

Good writers--or any good artist--must juggle the dual skills of being relaxed and intense. There must be a playful drive inside of every good artist.  Actually, these two skills go together more naturally than you might think. None of us can perform well until we are relaxed and fairly confident.

After Shafer "awakens" the writer, he discusses the different types of composition papers writers have to tackle, including:

• Descriptive
• Comparison and contrast
• Advertising
• Research
• Definition

Shafer then goes on to discuss the importance of writers developing their own "voice" throughout their work. 

Process & Voice in the Writing Workshop is one of MANA's best-selling books. Whether you are a student, college faculty member or a writer, this would be a "go-to" book in your collection of writing resources. The book is also available in e-book format. 

Click on the title to find out more about the book: Process & Voice in the Writing Workshop.