Blog Summary:
Many authors struggle with uniquely expressing themselves, making their work lack the authenticity and originality that readers seek. In this blog post, we will be helping amateur and professional writers find their natural writing voice and style.
Table of Contents:
- Pathway To My Writing Style
Ø Roadmap To My Writing Voice
Faqs
There is a voice in your head. Yes, you.
As you read this, a voice speaks to you, right?
If you scroll to another website to read an article, you will notice that the voice changes. The shift might not be large, but certainly there would be a clear distinction.
The voice in your head while you read a novel or journal embodies the author’s voice and style.
Though many consider writing voice and style to be the same concept, these are two different terminologies. A writing voice can be defined as a writer’s fingerprint— the tone by which a writer successfully constructs a message to a target audience. This voice reflects the author’s personality. On the other hand, a writing style is the technical method an author uses to communicate. This includes grammar, sentence structure, and word choice.
Just as no two persons can have the same fingerprint, authors can’t have the same writing voice. Though they may be very similar, they would surely differ, most especially in writing style. Take, for example, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Sefi Atta. Both authors speak with a deep Nigerian feminist voice but differ in writing style. While Chimamanda transforms historical background into personal narratives through storytelling, Sefi uses dry humour and subtle emotional tension to narrate stories to her readers.
ROADMAP TO MY WRITING VOICE
Having understood what a writing voice is, it is important to analyse the map for navigating the many challenges that could be encountered while discovering your natural voice. The four major steps are discussed below.
- READ
Great writers are consistent readers. Reading regularly exposes writers to various writing voices. Pushing comparison aside, an author who reads books and journals can observe how several writers express themselves and communicate ideologies to people of different cultures. The more you read, the better you become at communicating with a wider audience. The goal is not just to read but to read strategically. Also, to understand how authors structure sentences and convey emotions.
- ATTEMPT
You get better at writing by writing extensively. After learning from various ways other authors communicate to readers, you should experiment by practising. Try your hand at new genres or themes. This will help reveal your weak areas and sharpen your writing skills. Writing frequently also helps authors master the art of storytelling from various points of view. Practice telling a narrative from both the first and second person’s point of view. This will make you a better writer and unleash your natural writing voice.
- ANALYSE
Identify recurring themes and patterns you find exciting to discuss, and take note of successes and mistakes. Your natural voice often lies in topics that you find easier to write on. Identify your writing voice and analyse the advantages of that style of writing. Also, take note of your description and narrative style while writing scenes and expressing emotions.
- EVOLVE
Write again. The more you experiment, the more refined your writing voice becomes. Discover your natural strengths and embrace them while you keep writing. It might take a long time to master your writing voice, but keep at it; eventually, you will evolve. Growth doesn’t happen overnight. The renowned writers we adore today spent years honing their writing voice and style, so be optimistic.
PATHWAY TO MY WRITING STYLE
Now that you have the four major steps to mastering your writing voice, it is also relevant to discover your writing style and make the best use of it. There are various ways to communicate a message to readers, and how you do this determines the success of your work as a writer.
- GENRES
There are three major types of writing: business, academic, and literary writing. These aspects of writing have different ways of conveying messages. Business writing deals with the professional side of writing, constructing Memos, content, and captions, while Literary writing dances between fiction and non-fiction stories. Understanding these types of writing and what styles suit them best is the first step a writer must take to discover their writing style.
- GRAMMAR
Good grammar helps authors express themselves clearly and effectively while still being professional. The proper use of words, phrases, idioms, and clauses keeps readers engaged and also leaves a good impression. From spelling to punctuation, writers must ensure to avoid writing errors that can ruin their credibility and mislead readers.
For more resources on this, say hello to @Sabi Writers.
- STRUCTURE
Simple sentences should be every writer’s best friend. Readers get lost in the compilation of multiple ideas or thoughts in one sentence. Complex sentences, if necessary, should be straightforward to comprehend. This is why writers are told never to submit their first draft. The partnership with an editor also helps writers effectively communicate with readers.
- VOCABULARY
Many writers are prone to use complex words in their books, aiming to sound poetic or professional. Though this has its benefits in certain niches such as academic writing, it however can be a dangerous choice when writing manuals or blog posts. It is advisable to stick with simple words that are familiar to and acceptable to your readers. Authors should also be aware of trigger words that affect their audience negatively.
These steps are not rigid— be flexible with your journey to finding your natural writing voice and style. It is important not to forget that you can’t figure it all out in a month. It requires time to work out these steps, but surely, if you are consistent with reading and writing while exploring different genres, you will eventually discover your unique writing voice and style.
FAQs
- Can I have two writing voices?
Yes, you can. This is most common for authors who specialise in more than one writing genre. However, it is important to learn how to manage voice applications, not mixing them up and losing credibility.
- What is the difference between a Writing Voice and a Writing Style?
A writing voice is the tone by which a writer successfully constructs a message, while a writing style is the technical method an author uses to communicate.
- How do I stay consistent with reading?
There are two ways by which a writer can remain consistent with reading. The first is to join a reading club; it will help with accountability. Another way is to read one chapter of a book or an article before writing. This will help you remain disciplined.