Passive voice plagues novelists, tempting them into weak writing. Many authors slip easily into passive constructions. Aaron Lamb, when writing “Cults, Coffee and Close Encounters,” devoted an entire editing pass to eliminating passive voice. When crafting your novel, using active voice can make your writing more engaging, direct, and impactful. Here are five tips to help you embrace active voice in your storytelling:
1. Identify the Subject of Each Sentence
Make sure the subject of your sentence is performing the action. This creates a clearer and more dynamic narrative.
- Passive: The door was opened by John.
- Active: John opened the door.
2. Use Strong, Action-Oriented Verbs
Choose verbs that convey specific actions rather than relying on forms of “to be” paired with past participles.
- Passive: The mountain was climbed by the adventurers.
- Active: The adventurers scaled the mountain.
3. Rearrange Sentences to Emphasize the Actor
If you find yourself using passive voice, try restructuring the sentence to put the focus on who or what is performing the action.
- Passive: The spell was cast by the wizard.
- Active: The wizard cast the spell.
4. Avoid Overusing “By” Phrases
While not all “by” phrases indicate passive voice, they often signal that you could rephrase the sentence more actively.
- Passive: The ancient artifact was discovered by the archaeologist.
- Active: The archaeologist unearthed the ancient artifact.
5. Be Mindful of Tense and Voice in Dialogue
Even in character dialogue, try to maintain an active voice unless you’re intentionally using passive voice for effect.
- Passive: “It was decided by the council that we should attack at dawn.”
- Active: “The council decided we should attack at dawn.”
Remember, while active voice is generally preferred, there may be instances where passive voice serves a specific purpose in your narrative. Use these tips as guidelines, but always prioritize what works best for your story and style.
Aaron Lamb 