Toni has an interesting entry up about crafting a voice in fiction. I've thought about this a lot - both as a writer and reader. Right now I'm reading Band of Brothers by Ernest Gann (off the infamous To Be Read Pile), and he has nailed a certain voice, that of the adult man unsure but still confident - questioning things he has done in his life but resolute about pushing forward, about doing what is right. Gann wrote about flying and boating, two things he did a great deal of, so his voice probably echoes his own thoughts and feelings. Regardless of its source though, it has an aura of authenticity that always impresses me. I don't know why I had not read Brothers before, Fate is the Hunter is one of my favorite all time books and a must read for anyone involved in aviation in any way. I'm enjoying listening to Gann's voice again though, and the book is great so it's a win/win all the way around for me.

I do understand what Toni means about crafting a voice in fiction however, about how easy it is to go over the top or to stay too timid and create gray characters who make no impression. The temptation is to go too far (put exclamation points and adverbs after everything the poor girl says!), but my problem is always the reverse. I guess what I have to do is be patient and let the character assert herself, decide who she wants to be. This all sounds a bit like voodoo, but it works best I think. I do know that every time I write, I am in there, somewhere. Either she is who I want to be or wish I could be or more obviously likes to do something that I like to do. I'm always there somewhere. The task is to make sure I am just a shadow, just a hint. It is not about me, and it can't be or the story suffers. But I'm there, and there's no use denying that.

Tonight I played Trouble with my son, a version of the rules that pretty much entailed doing things his way but since he's four I allowed a lot of leeway. Mostly it was about taking turns and using "Popomatic action!" Trouble was a key game in my childhood, my brother and I played it all the time. Somehow, I managed to feel both old and young at the same time tonight. How did I get here, I wonder, at this table, with this game, with this boy?

My 15 minutes are blowing by so quickly. It's a good thing I am enjoying them so much.