by Lucy E. Zahnle

Created on: October 30, 2009   Last Updated: October 31, 2009

I love it when I hear those voices in my head! When they speak to me, I feel a sudden rush, almost as if a feel-good drug is flooding my mind. I only hear the voices when I write, but when they murmur, I know that I am in The Zone - that place where my best thoughts are pouring out, where my imagination has shifted into overdrive, and where my characters are "clicking" like Academy Award winning actors. Although logic tells me that I am only hearing my own thoughts, it almost seems as if someone, - my muse, no doubt, - is whispering in my ear.

That may sound crazy to some; others will be nodding their heads in recognition and understanding. Whether a writer hears voices when he or she writes depends a little on how the writer's mind works. Some people are very logical, writing outlines and carefully organizing their main ideas, supporting evidence, plot points, and pivotal scenes. Such writers are probably less prone to entertaining pesky writing voices in their heads.

Others have a general idea of where they are going when they start writing, but do not have all the steps mapped out. Although they may attempt some sort of outline, they can never stick to one. They start writing, trying to follow the plan, but then the voices kick in, pointing out that such and such would be a great plot twist or that Character A should really say this, not that, and suddenly the well-planned outline has nothing to do with the story that is unfolding on the page.

First cousin to those voices are the strong-willed fictional characters who seem to develop minds of their own. The writer starts penning a scene, moving the characters around according to plan, when, suddenly, Character A says something or does something outrageous that takes the scene, and, indeed, the entire story in a different direction. At the same time, the voices in the writer's head are saying, "Wow! What a great idea! How could it be any other way? Don't change a thing!" Character A and the voices are in cahoots and in charge. Outnumbered and outvoted, the author ends up re-plotting the rest of the story to accommodate the headstrong characters and their unruly muse friends rather than trying to force the piece back on track with the original plan.

Listening to the voices while one writes can be extremely beneficial. Writers who listen to their voices and allow their more obdurate characters their heads usually end up with more interesting, more original stories. A writer's voices are his or her way of brainstorming during the writing process, of communing with the creative muse.

Of course, the writer cannot allow the voices to have it all their own way. Every good piece of writing must be revised, edited, and proofread. Sometimes the voices actually have it wrong and the author has to rewrite or throw out the segment and start over. That's why second (and sometimes third, fourth, or fifth) drafts should always play a major part in any piece of writing. Rewrites and revisions refine what the muse's voice has inspired the writer to say. They also allow the writer to look at the text in the cold, sober light of day and ask, "What the heck was I thinking?"

Every writer should listen to the voices in his or her head and take creativity and inspiration from them. However, the discerning author will always revisit the muse's advice with a critical eye after the writing fever has left the brain and make certain that the resulting text reads clearly and logically. After all, writers who never question their voices and always let them win risk crossing that thin, treacherous line between writing genius and writing madness.

Learn more about this author, Lucy E. Zahnle.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.