Since Bob has me pondering the writing process, I thought I'd rap a bit on one of the fundamental issue of a writer "finding his voice." It's NOT in my opinion the "finding" that's an issue as to whether the writing is finally appreciated; it's whether anyone wants to listen to that voice.
Some writers' voices are pleasant. Just like with human voices, you resonate with the writer's "writing voice" and accept its invitation to suspend your disbelief and venture into the workings of the writer's mind. And other voices...uh...not so much. Some of these others are like that girl with the high, squeaky voice who just wouldn't stop talk, talk, talking on the date you were coerced into having with her, until like Rosanne Rosanadana you thought-a you were gonna DIE. Rather than invite you in, these writers' styles and voices tends to keep you out. I've been thinking about this lately, since the appear- ance of MZ on this forum, especially in the posts in which his writer's voice is juxtaposed with Curtis' writer's voice. All the difference in the world IMO. I would categorize Curtis' writing as "inclusive." His voice and his style invite you in and make you want to keep reading, in part because you get the feeling that there is actually a story being told, and you'd like to hear the end of it. MZ, on the other hand, I would categorize as "exclusive." The writing is verbose and difficult to parse, the things he's interested in seem to run the gamut from M to E, and worst, if you actually plow through one of his tomes there is rarely IMO a payoff. There is just no there there. And I suspect that the difference in these two writers' style and voice reflects to some extent their views of other people, and of the communication process itself. Curtis actually wants to connect with people, not just to express his POV, but to learn about theirs. I do not get that feeling from Robin - MZ. I get the feeling that he's primarily writing to hear the sound of his own voice in his head, and whether anyone else gets it or resonates with it just doesn't interest him that much. YMMV on this, and probably does. I'm just reporting my reactions to two different writers on this forum, and trying to nail down what it is that causes that reaction. My reaction to MZ is odd, because I actually agree with some of his opinions. It's just that I can't bring myself to actually read many of those opinions because his voice and his writing style seem to me so exclusive; they keep me out as opposed to inviting me in. Maybe the difference is as simple as Curtis being an enter- tainer and MZ not. Curtis doesn't get paid unless he can find a way to invite people into his world in such a way that they actually want to come in.
