Are you struggling to find your writing style? In today’s modern internet age, having an original, distinctive style and voice is essential to capture readers’ attention and stand out from the massive amount of content available daily.
But how do you do that exactly? The following are five top tips you can immediately apply to your writing.
1. Rely on Your Experience
When you write, begin with what you know and the world you are familiar with. When you take this approach, you will find it easier to relate to your characters and immerse yourself in your story’s setting. Do you lack inspiration? Look around and observe real events, people, and emotions. You can reflect on your journey and experiences. Then, allow these reflections to guide your writing. When you rely on what you know, you can more easily connect with readers.
But that’s not to say you can’t write what you don’t know. Maybe your story takes place in 18th century London. Unless time travel has been invented, there’s no way you can roam the muddy streets, listen to the people talk, or smell the air. Rather than surrendering to time’s limitations, dedicate yourself to good, hard research. Choose reliable authors who have written about the topic, consider media like documentaries, and examine photographs. And then, when you are done, research the research.
The key is that even though you may not know something, you can educate yourself so you can turn an idea into good fiction.
2. Say Goodbye to Clichés
Clichés are those expressions and ideas that writers have overused to the point that readers can find them annoying when they stumble across them. When you try to find your writing style, you may find that these nasty buggers can sneak in when we are trying to be descriptive. I’m sure you have come across some of these worn-out examples:
- Sleeping like the dead
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket
- The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
- At the speed of light
- It’s an uphill battle
- The calm before the storm
Using clichés is one of the biggest roadblocks for your potential to find your writing style. If a phrase you want to use is one that you’ve heard in advertising or casual conversation, it’s most likely a cliché. However, just because you have committed to avoiding clichés doesn’t mean your writing has to be boring. Instead, Think about the details you want to describe and imagine another way of saying it. Be sincere in your writing and tell a story that only you can tell.
3. The Devil is in the Details
To find your writing style you must be specific with details to enhance the vividness of your writing. Take the time to be specific when describing characters and settings. Think about the difference word choice makes when describing small movements. Having your antagonist raise one eyebrow or your hero pull on a lock of her hair can give insight into the emotions experienced by your characters and help build the mood of your story.
Think also about word choice when conveying action (or inaction). For example, “bolted from the room” gives a greater sense of urgency than “walked quickly from the room.”
4. Create An Authentic Voice
There’s no doubt that a strong, authentic voice is a quality of good writing and essential when you find your writing style. In today’s world, when we consume most of the content we read on the internet, a writer’s voice is more important than ever. When you develop your own identity, it suggests reliability and quality, a writer who delivers.
Think of a writer as a singer who applies rhythm, sound, and composition to their music. We can see these effects in good writing too. Think about some of your favorite writers. I bet that some of their voices are so distinctive they shout their identity off the page.
Here are some things to think about:
- Language Level: Do you use street slang? Is your language concrete or abstract? Maybe it’s somewhere in the middle.
- Choose a Voice for your Narrators: Do you prefer the first-person narrative? Or do you use “we” to express a collective? Maybe you like the second person “you” to sound conversational. Are you drawn to all of these? Keep in mind that you can switch between first- and third-person voices, but there’s nothing wrong with picking one style and sticking to it.
- Metaphors: How often do you like to use metaphors? If you want to use figures of speech liberally, your writing may be more poetic. On the other hand, using metaphors sparingly for effect is the hallmark of journalism.
- Sentence Length: Are your sentences short and simple or long and complex?
- Inclusivity and Exclusivity: Do you write a simple style that appeals to many readers? Do you use slang and jargon to speak to an exclusive club?
5. Write Every Day
You’ve heard this before, but it’s true! The more you write, the more you will grow conscious of your writing style and be able to improve upon it. Remember, it’s not the quantity that matters, but rather the frequency.
An Exercise for Identifying Your Voice
If you are unsure of your writing voice, read a draft of your story aloud and make a list of adjectives you feel define your voice. Some examples may be “retiring,” “aggressive,” or “light.” Then try to identify the effects in your writing that lead to these conclusions. You can also read the work of a writer who appeals to you and do the same experiment.
You can also read your story to friends and trusted listeners and advisors – your crew. Then, ask them if the story sounds like you. If they say “no,” ask them where improvements can be made.
Share Your Story With Us
At The Unapologetic Voice House, we strive to share female-driven stories with the world and lead you through the entire writing process, from the first draft to your first round of local book tours. As an independent publishing house, we offer a blend of traditional and self-publishing services, as well as developmental editing and proofreading services to help you share your story with the world.
To learn how to publish and promote your book with us, submit a query letter today!