A Writer's Perspective
by Beth K. Vogt

Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Voices

That person wearing the "I hear voices" t-shirt is probably a fiction writer.
A few months back, I attended a national fiction writers conference. I did so at the urging of a friend--and because I wanted to hear novelist Francine Rivers, who was the keynote speaker.

So, there I was--a journalism-degree-toting non-fiction writer--spending time with hundreds of fiction writers. Romance writers. Fantasy writers. Thriller writers. Chick-lit writers. And you know what? Many of them talked about hearing voices.

They boasted about it.
"And then he said. . ."
"And then she said. . ."

When you're among fiction writers, all this talking by imaginary he's and she's is normal breakfast conversation. And lunch conversation. And dinner conversation.
I wanted to stand up and announce, "There's a cure for your problem. Just medicate those voices into oblivion."

Still, it was beneficial for me to attend the conference. I realized I will never succeed as a novelist because the voices don't talk to me. When the title or first sentence of an article pops into my head, it's my voice doing the talking --not an imaginary protagonist's or antagonist's voice. And I am okay with that--and a bit relieved.

When I'm with fiction writers, I just keep my mouth shut while listening to detailed conversations among the voices in their heads.

If I ever do hear voices, I'll know it's time to try and write the great American novel--or see my doctor about some medication.

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