Find Your Writing Voice

Discovering your own voice is something writers are often encouraged to do. But what does that mean? If you write, aren't you writing in your own voice? Yes and no. You're writing in your own voice if you're able to tune out the influence of other writers and write the way you want to write. You're writing in "borrowed" voice if you're emulating other writers. That doesn't mean you can't learn from and borrow techniques used by other writers, but you should strive to incorporate them into your own style, not just adopt them as your style. Discovering your own voice has largely to do with being able to connect deeply with why you write. What compels you to put words on paper is the essence of who you are, and from that essence comes your unique voice as a writer. Discovering your own voice also has to do with trusting the flow and rhythm of your words, writing as you feel you should write, not as you think others want you to write. This means staying true to your natural inclinations as a writer and honoring that inner vision. Sometimes writers must stop reading how-to books and articles and just write. The most authentic, personal voice you can find is the one that emerges when you put everything else aside and just write. And then write some more. And then write again. Your voice is already in you and just needs to be found. Learn to trust your own writing process to flesh out your unique voice and, once you find that voice, it will be your guide for everything you write.