Writers have nothing if not passion.  Passion to write is a common drive authors share with one another.  Yes, we may not care for some writer's work.  We may even loathe their work.  Regardless, we still share that passion for the written word.

One area writers run into trouble is their own writer's voice.  Too often writers wish to be John Grisham, Stephen King or some other famous writer.  As soon as this happens, our 'voice' is diminished.  Our writing becomes trite and we languish in the feeling that something's not right.

The only person who can capture your passion as an author is you.  Not a rocket-science statement is it?  Why then, do we attempt to write like someone else?  Confidence is something every writer needs to carry around in large quantities.

This flies in the face of many humble writers who struggle to toot their own horn.  I've seen new writers allow bully editors or even well meaning comrades to alter the voice in their writing.  Whenever I witness this, I am horrified that anyone would mess with another writer's voice, and I'm appalled that the new writer listens and acquiesces.

Far too many excellent writers lack the confidence to stand up for their voice.  Then, of course, there is the other side of the coin - those authors who desperately need to make huge changes in their presentation but will not listen to good critiques.  Where do you draw the line? 

My feeling is that you draw the line where your passion fades from what you've written.  This is subjective, but if you don't defend your passion, you lose your voice.  Many 'new' voices have been criticized throughout the centuries.  Only you, the author, can determine if your voice is being tampered with or enhanced.

As I delve more into deep editing, I find my voice can be amplified.  Most often, only I can make the deep edits to do this.  Otherwise, my voice gets lost in someone else's idea of what word or phrase will strengthen my work. 

This kind of analysis requires an author to keep an open mind to the critiques of others and incorporate that which shades your work to a stronger voice, a stronger passion. 

Do not allow others to steal your voice and insert theirs.  Do not 'copy' someone else's voice.  You rob yourself of your own passion. 

Do listen to critiques with an open mind.  Most often the critique will have some merit.  Find that merit and stretch it out into something better.  Incorporate that which amplifies your voice, hence your passion.  Let naysayers do their thing while you go on about displaying your writer's voice to the world.

Find your voice. Hold tight to it.  Your passion will show through.