Author: Stephanie Orges

Stephanie is an award-winning copywriter, aspiring novelist, and barely passable ukulele player. Here, she offers writing prompts, tips, and moderate-to-deep philosophical discussions. You can also find her on and Pinterest.

Voice Week 2011: Wednesday

  By ,

This is turning into quite a fascinating project – both into how what is written effects the reader’s perceptions of character, and how the reader’s own pre-existing bias figures in.

I tried a different angle with today’s piece:

When they ask, I tell them that my mother taught me everything I know. I say she taught me to love books by reading to me every night. I say she taught me to love music by singing me songs as she drove me to school. I say she taught me how to be a lady by never raising her voice, by never speaking a crass word, by never drinking more than half a glass of wine. But really, all she taught me was how to lie.

—

From the prompt “alcoholic mother.” Read the other versions: Day 1, Day 2, Day 4, Day 5

Who does the character feel like to you? How old, what gender? Where did you think the voice was strong or weak? Let me know!

—

Voice Week 2011: Tuesday

  By ,

 

The plot thickens all over the blogosphere with Day Two of Voice Week! It’s fascinating watching everyone’s different interpretations of their characters, and of the project itself. I am so impressed with the talent out there, I could just kiss my computer screen. In case any of y’all missed it, read some quick notes on late postings and pingbacks here.

Here’s my second piece (under 100 this time):

My mamma ain’t much of one. Don’t read us stories, don’t make us dinner, don’t get us dressed in the morning. Heck, she don’t even get herself dressed in the morning. Just wears the same trashy tank and shorts ever’ day, hair all done up in knots, knocking it back. Beer, wine, whiskey, vodka. Anything you need ID to buy. Lays out on the couch or leans up against the stove in the kitchen, tilting her head back and just glugging it down like there ain’t no tomorrow. Sometimes I think maybe there ain’t. But there always is.

—

From the prompt “alcoholic mother.” Read the other versions: Day 1, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5

Who does the character feel like to you? How old, what gender? Where did you think the voice was strong or weak? Let me know!

–

Voice Week 2011: Monday

  By ,

Voice Week is underway! As you can see below, I’ll be the first to break the 100 words rule – just to prove I won’t fault anyone else for doing the same. But I promise my other entries  are all under limit. Except that other one…

The thing about my mom – she’s sick a lot. Not the kind of sick you get from germs and stuff, but the kind you get from life. I mean, I don’t know that much about her past, because she doesn’t talk about it much, but you don’t live with somebody for fifteen years and not pick up some details.
Like, she hates men. You don’t get that way without being slapped around by a few creeps. And unless she’s passed out, I can’t go out anywhere except school, ‘cause she’ll freak out. She acts like she’s afraid something will happen to me, but really I think she’s afraid I’ll just decide not to come back. And she’s got scars on her arms, but like a lot of other things, I don’t ask about them.
Yeah, she’s been sick a long time. The booze? That’s just medication.

 

—

From the prompt “alcoholic mother.” Read the other versions: Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5

Who does the character feel like to you? How old, what gender? Where did you think the voice was strong or weak? Let me know!

—

5 Great Articles About Voice

  By ,

Voice Week starts Monday! There are at least…21 of us participating. Who’s excited???

As one last hurrah before the big week, I’ve collected a short list of some of the most useful posts on voice I’ve found throughout the web. The excerpts are just the tip of the iceberg–click the links to really dig in to some excellent advice.

Continue reading

Inspiration Monday: the fault in our stars

  By

This InMon is important for several reasons. First, it is my birthday. Second, it is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Third, and most importantly–it’s only one week till Voice Week!  Leave a comment if you want to join in or if you have questions. Participants: Visit the Voice Week homepage to make sure your name is on the Voice Writers list, and if it’s not, leave a comment and I’ll add you.

FOURTH – and this is important too – because of Voice Week, InMon will be postponed until October 10, which means you have three weeks to turn these prompts into gold, instead of just one.

Now check out what happened last week!

Continue reading