Episode 271 - Tapping into Your Author Voice with Tiffany Yates Martin
January 14, 2025
Are you getting value from the podcast? Consider supporting me on Patreon or through Buy Me a Coffee!
Amazon Music | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Overcast | Castbox | Pocket Casts | Podbean | Player FM | TuneIn | YouTube
Tiffany Yates Martin discusses TAPPING INTO YOUR AUTHOR VOICE, including how many writers mistakenly view voice as an external element they need to find or impose on their work. Instead, she believes that true voice comes from genuinely accessing and expressing one's internal truths, a process that can feel quite daunting. Tiffany emphasizes that an authentic voice is not about adopting a façade but rather about tapping into what is true to the author and allowing it to emerge naturally in their writing.
Tiffany Yates Martin has spent nearly thirty years as an editor in the publishing industry, working with major publishers and New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning authors as well as indie and newer writers. She is the founder of FoxPrint Editorial (named one of Writer’s Digest’s Best Websites for Authors) and author of Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing and the recently released The Intuitive Author: How to Grow & Sustain a Happier Writing Career. She is a regular contributor to writers’ outlets like Writer’s Digest, Jane Friedman, and Writer Unboxed, and a frequent presenter and keynote speaker for writers’ organizations around the country. Under her pen name, Phoebe Fox, she is the author of six novels.
Tiffany Yates Martin has spent nearly thirty years as an editor in the publishing industry, working with major publishers and New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling and award-winning authors as well as indie and newer writers. She is the founder of FoxPrint Editorial (named one of Writer’s Digest’s Best Websites for Authors) and author of Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing and the recently released The Intuitive Author: How to Grow & Sustain a Happier Writing Career. She is a regular contributor to writers’ outlets like Writer’s Digest, Jane Friedman, and Writer Unboxed, and a frequent presenter and keynote speaker for writers’ organizations around the country. Under her pen name, Phoebe Fox, she is the author of six novels.
Episode Links
https://www.foxprinteditorial.com
https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyyatesmartin/
https://www.facebook.com/tiffanynyates/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ-TMebXV5sg8-fQkVeg_0w
https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyyatesmartin/
https://www.facebook.com/tiffanynyates/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ-TMebXV5sg8-fQkVeg_0w
Summary
This week on The Indy Author Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with Tiffany Yates Martin about the concept of "voice" in writing and how authors can authentically express their unique perspectives. Tiffany challenges the common perception among authors that voice is something external—a façade to be layered over their work. Instead, she proposes that true voice emerges when writers draw from within themselves, accessing their internal truths and allowing these to infuse their narratives.
One of the primary topics Tiffany tackles is the misconception that voice needs to be consciously tacked onto a piece of writing. She believes this approach can hinder creativity and authenticity. Voice, according to Tiffany, should not be imposed but instead arise naturally from the writer's own experiences, emotions, and perspectives. This process of letting one's true voice guide the writing can be intimidating for many authors, as it requires vulnerability and honesty. It’s about stripping away the layers of pretense and showing raw, genuine aspects of oneself.
Throughout the episode, Tiffany emphasizes the importance of embracing one's individuality in writing. By doing so, writers can create more compelling and relatable stories that resonate with readers on a deeper level. This inward search for authenticity not only enhances the quality of the work but also connects more powerfully with the audience.
In support of her insights, Tiffany shares key examples and strategies that authors can use to discover and refine their voice. While the process can be challenging, it is ultimately rewarding, leading to a more fulfilling writing experience and richer, more authentic stories.
The discussion offers valuable takeaways for writers at any stage in their careers. It encourages them to reflect on their personal truths and how these can be a wellspring of creative material. By courageously accessing and expressing their inner selves, authors can develop a distinctive voice that stands out in the literary world.
One of the primary topics Tiffany tackles is the misconception that voice needs to be consciously tacked onto a piece of writing. She believes this approach can hinder creativity and authenticity. Voice, according to Tiffany, should not be imposed but instead arise naturally from the writer's own experiences, emotions, and perspectives. This process of letting one's true voice guide the writing can be intimidating for many authors, as it requires vulnerability and honesty. It’s about stripping away the layers of pretense and showing raw, genuine aspects of oneself.
Throughout the episode, Tiffany emphasizes the importance of embracing one's individuality in writing. By doing so, writers can create more compelling and relatable stories that resonate with readers on a deeper level. This inward search for authenticity not only enhances the quality of the work but also connects more powerfully with the audience.
In support of her insights, Tiffany shares key examples and strategies that authors can use to discover and refine their voice. While the process can be challenging, it is ultimately rewarding, leading to a more fulfilling writing experience and richer, more authentic stories.
The discussion offers valuable takeaways for writers at any stage in their careers. It encourages them to reflect on their personal truths and how these can be a wellspring of creative material. By courageously accessing and expressing their inner selves, authors can develop a distinctive voice that stands out in the literary world.
