Whose line is it anyway: Exploring how to utilize narrative voice in nonfiction

The craft paper explores the functionality of narrative voice in nonfiction and examines how to utilize voice to master sculpting storytelling to resonate with readers. The paper seeks to view narrative voice in terms of a vessel for the reader to explore, to drive the scene, and to guide the action and how each one works within the narrative. Through original work, I examine my relationship with my mother and grandmother, tracing how societal expectations and racialized pressures shaped their lives and, ultimately, my own. As an African American woman, I navigate themes of racism, the significance of appearance, and the burdens of achieving the so-called "Black idea of success." This paper highlights how storytelling preserves identity, challenges stereotypes, and gives voice to experiences often overlooked.