10 Steps to Finding Your Writing Voice

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Recently, I wrote a guest post for Problogger called, “Finding Your Blog’s Unique Voice.” In the post, I explain the following:

• Your blog needs a voice.
• It needs to be exclusive.
• It has to be authentically you.

Here, I want to share a little bit about how to find your voice. This, I believe, is the greatest struggle for writers. It’s also the key to unlocking your potential. Spending some time deliberating over voice is worth your attention and focus.

Photo credit: Dan Foy (Creative Commons)

Whether you blog for fun, write novels, craft poems, pencil melodies, or inspire people with nonfiction prose, it’s essential for you to find your unique writing voice.

If you struggle with retaining readers or with being consistent in your writing, you may need to spend some time finding and developing your voice.

An Exercise for Finding Your Writing Voice

Here’s a short exercise that can help you:

1. Describe yourself in three adjectives.
   Example: snarky, fun, and flirty.
2. Ask (and answer) the question: “Is this how I talk?”
3. Imagine your ideal reader. Describe him in detail. Then, write to him, and only him.
   Example: My ideal reader is smart. He has a sense of humor, a short attention span, and is pretty savvy when it comes to technology and pop culture. He’s sarcastic and fun, but doesn’t like to waste time. And he loves pizza.
   
4. Jot down at least five books, articles, or blogs you like to read. Spend some time examining them. How are they alike? How are they different? What about how they’re written intrigues you? Often what we admire is what we aspire to be.
   Example: Copyblogger, Chris Brogan, Seth Godin, Ernest Hemingway, and C.S. Lewis. I like these writers, because their writing is intelligent, pithy, and poignant.
5. List your favorite artistic and cultural influences. Are you using these as references in your writing, or avoiding them, because you don’t think people would understand them?
   Example: I use some of my favorite bands’ music in my writing to teach deeper lessons.
6. Ask other people: “What’s my voice? What do I sound like?” Take notes of the answers you get.
7. Free-write. Just go nuts. Write in a way that’s most comfortable to you, without editing. Then go back and read it, asking yourself, “Do I publish stuff that sounds like this?”
8. Read something you’ve recently written, and honestly ask yourself, “Is this something I would read?” If not, you must change your voice.
9. Ask yourself: “Do I enjoy what I’m writing as I’m writing it?” If it feels like work, you may not be writing like yourself. (Caveat: Not every writer loves the act of writing, but it’s at least worth asking.)
10. Pay attention to how you’re feeling. How do you feel before publishing? Afraid? Nervous? Worried? If so, you’re on the right track. If you’re completely calm, then you probably didn’t risk being vulnerable. Try writing something a little more dangerous, something a little more you. Fear is good.

Why Do I Need a Writing Voice?

The bottom line is that finding your voice is the key to getting dedicated followers and fans and that it’s the only sustainable way to write.

If you’re not being yourself, you’ll eventually burn out. And once you’ve found it, make sure you continue to develop it (try these ten steps).

It’s a discipline — one that can’t be overlooked if you’re going to have the impact you desire.

For more on this topic, you should read Bird by Bird (affiliate link), an excellent book on the writing life by Anne Lamott.

What does your writing voice sound like? Have you found it, or are you still searching?

*Photo credit: Dan Foy

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