tone problems

[DarlingNikki]

Sometimes I start out a story in what's meant to be a light, conversational, faintly humorous tone and then come back to it the next day and continue in a more dreamy, wordy, too serious tone. Or vice versa. Or substitute two other tones. Which makes the story kind of weird and disjointed.

Does this happen to anyone else? How do you deal with it?

I've thought of maybe reading something beforehand in the tone I want to use so I can get in that mood, but won't that make my writing even more influenced by what I read then it normally is? Is anyone else here overly influenced by whatever they're reading at the time?

Also - what's the difference between voice and tone? Do I really mean voice in this post?

 

[TheEarl]

I know exactly what you're saying. Just not sure how you'd deal with it.

I tend to read through my longer stories before I start to write anything new, making brief edits and catching up with where I left off. Maybe this would help keep a consistent tone?

The Earl

 

[SexySoBeChick]

I usually go back and reread the last few pages or so, reabsorbing myself in the story and characters. I find that gets me back in the right frame of mind to continue writing in the same style.

Voice is the overall way you, as the writer, speak to the reader. I see it as your writing personality. Fundamentally, your personality pretty much stays the same, but takes on different tones as your mood changes. I think the same thing is true with writing—your voice remains inherently the same but your tone/ mood changes as different things occur within the plot. Things might be lighthearted one minute and deadly serious the next, but the way you speak to the reader doesn't really change.

Now that I've probably made things even more confusing, I'll be on my way.

SSBC

 

[Wicked-N-Erotic]

If I'm coming back to a partially finished story I don't touch it unless I'm in the same state of mind that I was when I started it. That isn't hard for me to do since I usually only write when I'm aroused, therefore the tone will be as before.


Wicked

 

[Chicklet]

a lot of times, when i start a story in one tone and then break it, i go back and rewrite the whole thing, even if i write it word for word. sometimes nothing changes except my perspective on the story. other times, with different wording or additions of new paragraphs, i get the whole thing to flow.

-Chicklet

 

[MaxSebastian]

I think that if you read something and start writing that way, in that kind of style, using words that author might use - then, you are losing your voice.

You can write in many different tones, but once you start immitating others, consciously or unconsciously, you're losing your own personal voice. You can write cheerful, light, fanciful material one day, dark, sombre, mournful copy the next. But if it's your style, your personality behind the phrases, it's still your voice.

I fully understand your problem with coming at a story being in the wrong state of mind. The best thing to do is get back into the right state of mind - or start a different story more akin to your present mood. You can go back to the other one when you're in the right state of mind. Or you could even write another part of the story, perhaps further along, where the narrative can turn a little darker.

If you're worried that reading something to get yourself into the right mood may affect your voice, try some other way of changing your mood. A movie or television show might do it.

Or you could always try and write your story in one go! Might be difficult, mind you...