[stylist] the passive voice

[Julie J.]

Hello all!

I don't write to this list much.  So if you've forgotten me, I'm Julie 
and I'm working on writing a nonfiction book.  I have no background in 
writing.  I've never written a book before.  At the rate I'm going I 
don't know if I will write another one!

Anyway, this morning after snapping out of my zombie state induced by 
staring at the blank screen of doom, I decided to procrastinate by 
messing on the internet.  I stumbled across a blog post on writing style 
that mentioned to avoid the passive voice.  I looked up some other info 
on it, but I'm still not sure that I understand.  However I think a load 
of my writing is in the passive voice.

So I'm asking you my most knowledgeable writing friends, please help me 
with this. I need to understand what exactly the passive voice is, how 
to avoid it or fix it and if there is any situation where it is appropriate.

Thanks!
Julie