Last Updated on March 31, 2023 by Nathaniel Tower
As a writer, your voice is what sets you apart from other writers. It’s a mix of tangible and intangible factors your reader can point to in order to identify that you are indeed the author who wrote the piece. If you have a true voice, then your readers can instantly tell your writing from anyone else’s, and no one out there can duplicate your writing in a way that easily fools readers.
Finding your voice can be a challenge, especially when you’re just starting out as a new writer. In this post, we’ll share some actionable tips for developing your writing style and finding your unique voice as a writer.
What is a writer’s voice?
Voice refers to the style and tone of a writer’s work that sets them apart from others. It includes everything from the language used, to the rhythm and pacing of the writing, to the author’s unique perspective and personality. Here are a few examples of how famous writers found their voice:
Ernest Hemingway – Hemingway’s writing is known for its straightforward style and sparse prose. He found his voice while working as a journalist in his early career, where he learned to write concisely and objectively. He carried this style over into his fiction writing, creating a distinctive voice that has influenced countless writers.
Maya Angelou – Angelou’s writing is characterized by its lyrical quality and powerful, emotional impact. She found her voice through her poetry, which she began writing at a young age. Her poems explored the themes of identity, race, and gender, and her unique perspective and voice set her apart as a writer.
Toni Morrison – Morrison’s writing is known for its rich, poetic language and exploration of African American history and culture. She found her voice while working as an editor at Random House, where she became interested in publishing works by African American writers. She began writing her own novels, which drew on her own experiences and the stories of her community.
How I found my voice
I don’t have a great dramatic story about finding my writing voice .It wasn’t a grand revelation or earth-shattering moment. When I first started writing, I wrote to get published. I didn’t think about what I really wanted to write about. I started with a few basic science fiction, horror, and detective stories, and I submitted them to various publications. I got a few published, including my first novel.
However, I quickly realized that my heart wasn’t really in what I was writing, and this was causing my writing to suffer. It helped a lot when my wife asked why I was writing detective stories when I never read or watched any. This helped me realize this wasn’t really the genre for me. But it was about a lot more than genre. I was also trying to write these overblown descriptions that felt forced and unnatural. Quite honestly, my writing wasn’t that good.
Then I decided to write about some of the crazy ideas that popped into my head, like a lady giving birth to a boot and a man falling in love with a blade of grass. I didn’t think these were things worth writing about, but I soon found that not only did I love writing these stories, but people loved reading them. It wasn’t until I started writing absurd and bizarre stories that I found my true voice. My stories were punchy and humorous, and I enjoyed writing them much more than my previous work.
Finding my voice not only made writing more enjoyable, but it also made it easier for me to get published, which lead to over 100 published stories.
Selecting the right genre
One of the first steps in finding your voice as a writer is to select the right genre. Choose a genre that you’re interested in and passionate about. If you’re not excited about what you’re writing, it will be difficult to find your voice and develop your style. Think about the genres that you enjoy reading and consider writing in those areas. You’ll be more motivated to write and more likely to find your voice if you’re working in a genre that you love.
This doesn’t mean you can only write in a single genre for the rest of your life, but this is a good way to get started. If you try to write in every genre as a new writer, you might find your voice becomes a jumbled mess. Neither your reader nor your writer will know who you are.
Study your favorite authors
One of the best ways to develop your voice as a writer is to study your favorite authors. Look at the way they write and what makes their writing unique. Pay attention to their sentence structure, tone, pacing, and character development. Don’t copy their style, but use it as inspiration for your own writing. Think about what you like about their writing and how you can incorporate similar elements into your own style.
it can also help to discover new authors in your preferred genres and evaluate what they do differently. If you are laser-focused on just one writer, you may end up trying so hard to emulate them that you lose your own voice.
Experiment with different styles
While it’s important to write in a genre that you enjoy, it’s also important to experiment with different writing styles. Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if they’re outside of your comfort zone. Write in different genres, try different tones, and experiment with different sentence structures. This will help you discover what works for you and what doesn’t. Over time, you’ll start to develop a writing style that is uniquely yours.
If you aren’t sure how to experiment, or you don’t have any topics you want to write about, try using one of these great short story ideas.
Create your writing routine
Developing your voice as a writer takes time and practice. Finding a consistent writing routine can help you stay motivated and make progress towards your writing goals. Set aside a specific time each day or each week to write. You don’t necessarily have to write every day; rather, develop a routine that works for you as a writer. Make it a priority and treat it like any other appointment. You can also find a writing community or accountability partner to help keep you motivated and on track.
Write about what you know
While it’s important to experiment with different writing styles, writing about what you know can help you find your voice and develop your writing style. Think about your personal experiences and what makes you unique. Use these experiences to inform your writing and bring your stories to life. Writing from personal experience can help you connect with readers on a deeper level and make your writing more authentic.
That doesn’t mean you have to be a murderer to write about murder or a serial killer. But it does mean you need to study your subject material before you just start scribbling down ideas. If you don’t understand the topic, you won’t be able to convince your reader of your story. Don’t believe me? Go check out my first novel, A Reason to Kill. I bet you’ll be able to identify quite a few holes in it!
Edit and revise
Finally, editing and revising your work can help you refine your writing style and find your unique voice. Don’t be afraid to make changes to your work. Look for areas where you can improve your pacing, character development, and dialogue. Get feedback from other writers or editors and use their suggestions to improve your writing. This process can be time-consuming, but it’s essential for developing your voice as a writer.
Final thoughts on finding your voice
In conclusion, finding your writing voice is a process that takes time and experimentation. It requires a willingness to try new things and take risks in your writing. However, by understanding what makes your writing unique, and working to develop that voice, you can create work that is truly memorable and stands out from the crowd. So, take some time to reflect on your own experiences, interests, and perspectives, and experiment with different writing styles. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and try new things. With dedication and hard work, you can find your writing voice and create work that truly resonates with readers.
How did you go about finding your voice as a writer? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to share this post on all your favorite channels.
