Can you hear that?
Is that the sound of your voice?
Writing can be a mechanical process. You type as you think and you think as you type. The rhythm of writing is often regular and relentless, as we answer emails and feel that old familiar routine of using words to connect with other people. But the sound of our emails, were we to read them out loud, is very far removed from the sound of our other writing, that more personal, more creative, more expressive form of writing that would probably render an email redundant. And by this I mean the sound of our voice – that thing about our writing that makes our writing our writing, if you see what I mean? But what is a writing voice and how can we understand it more effectively. Let’s take a look. I’m going to work through the following sections and hopefully by the end we might have got a bit closer to hearing the sound of our own writing voice. Who knows?
- What is a Writing Voice and Why is it Important?
- Understanding Yourself and Your Audience
- Experimenting with Different Writing Techniques
- Developing Your Voice Through Practice and Feedback
- Tips for Finding and Maintaining Your Writing Voice
As writers, we all strive to develop our own unique writing voice. A writing voice is the distinct style and personality that comes through in our writing, and it’s what sets us apart as writers. But developing a writing voice can be a daunting task, especially for new writers. In this post, we’ll take a deep dive into the process of developing your own writing voice and provide you with actionable tips to unlock your unique writing style.
1. What is a Writing Voice and Why is it Important?
Your writing voice is the personality and style that comes through in your writing. It’s the way you express yourself and connect with your audience. It’s what makes your writing stand out and what makes your work memorable. Having a unique writing voice is important because it differentiates you from other writers, helps you connect with your audience, and makes your writing more relatable and engaging. It’s also important to note that a writing voice should not be confused with writing style, a writing voice is an author’s voice, the way they communicate their ideas and thoughts, while writing style is the way they present it, including the use of grammar, syntax, and structure.
2. Understanding Yourself and Your Audience
To develop your writing voice, it’s essential to understand yourself and your audience. You need to know your strengths, weaknesses, and preferences as a writer. You also need to know your audience, their needs, and what they’re looking for in your writing. By understanding yourself and your audience, you can craft your writing voice to appeal to them and make a connection. It’s also important to conduct research on your audience, this can include reading other books or articles that may be similar to what you are writing, or even conducting surveys or interviews with potential readers. This will give you an idea of how your audience communicates and what type of content they are looking for.
3. Experimenting with Different Writing Techniques
One of the best ways to develop your writing voice is to experiment with different writing techniques. Try out different writing styles, such as poetry, fiction, and non-fiction. Play around with different tones, such as formal or informal, serious or humorous. By experimenting with different techniques, you’ll be able to find the style that best suits your voice and your audience. It’s also important to experiment with different points of view, such as first, second and third person, and to explore different forms of writing, such as long form, short stories, and even plays. This will give you an idea of how different styles and techniques can affect your voice, and how you can use them to your advantage.
4. Developing Your Voice Through Practice and Feedback
Practice is essential when it comes to developing your writing voice. The more you write, the more you’ll be able to refine your voice and make it your own. It’s also important to get feedback from others, such as beta readers or writing groups. Feedback will help you identify areas where you need improvement and will give you a better understanding of how your writing is perceived by others. It’s also important to practice writing in different scenarios, such as writing under time pressure, or writing in a specific genre or format. This will help you become more versatile as a writer and will give you a better understanding of how your voice adapts to different situations.
5. Tips for Finding and Maintaining Your Writing Voice
Once you’ve developed your writing voice, it’s important to keep it consistent and maintain it. Here are a few tips to help you do that:
- Write regularly: The more you write, the more you’ll be able to refine your voice and make it your own.
- Read widely: Reading other writers will give you a better understanding of different writing styles and techniques, which will help you find your own voice.
- Be authentic: Don’t try to copy other writers or write in a style that doesn’t suit you. Your writing voice should be authentic and true to who you are as a writer.
- Get feedback: Feedback will help you identify areas where you need improvement and will give you a better understanding of how your writing is perceived by others.
- Experiment: Keep experimenting with different writing styles and techniques to find the style that best suits your voice and your audience.
None of this is easy, and some of it, all of it, is sometimes next to impossible. Nevertheless, it is essential to keep working, keep typing, keep writing. Developing your writing voice is an ongoing process that takes time and practice. By understanding yourself and your audience, experimenting with different writing techniques, and getting feedback, you’ll be able to craft a unique and compelling writing voice that resonates with your readers. And above all, remember that your writing voice is an expression of who you are as a writer, so be true to yourself and let your voice shine through in your writing.
Tell me, what does your voice sound like?
Keywords: writing voice, developing writing voice, unique writing voice, signature writing style, finding writing voice, maintaining writing voice
BARNABY TAYLOR: Curiosity is Currency 