What's Your Writing Voice & Why It Matters?

When I first started writing I felt like my writing was missing that special something. When I'm lucky, I've got the plot down, characters fleshed out, and my grammar's on point. But still... something's off.

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Successful authors have it. They've got to.

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Because of it, I can go on a blind date with books by Stephen King & Octavia Butler, and know which author wrote which.
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It's something when you're at the beginning of your writing career - you've got to discover and then train.
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It's.... your writing voice.
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Something that's the unique fingerprint you leave on every word, every sentence. It's how you string thoughts together, the cadence of your prose, the subtle nuances that make your writing distinctly you.
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But the kicker: it isn't just about style. It borrows from the very essence of who you are. It's the way your brain processes information and spits it back out onto the page. I'm nerding out here, but it's fascinating stuff, really.
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And it plays an important role in your writing. It helps you tell and sell your book (kinda what I'm about around here) in a few ways:
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• It sets you apart in a sea of writers

• It creates a connection with your readers (I want my readers to know my work from yours, and I'm sure you want the same. Not cause we're not cool cats, but because we're our own people. With unique things to say and unique ways to say them.)

• It makes your stories memorable

Without a strong, confident grasp on YOUR voice, your writing risks becoming another drop in the literary ocean. Forgettable. Generic. And let's be real, that's not why you started writing, is it?
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So, today we're talking about discovering your writer's voice and a bit on how I found my own. My goal is that by the end of this post, you'll be itching to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and let your discovery loose. Ready?
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What Is Voice In Writing?

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Getting down to the brass tacks: Your writer's voice is how you think on paper. It's the unique way you express ideas, the particular rhythm of your sentences, and the specific lens through which you view the world. It's as distinctive as your fingerprint.

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Think of it this way: if your writing were a person, the voice would be its personality. Charming or abrasive. Logical or whimsical. Your call.

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Before I go on, we don't want to confuse voice with style or tone. Or even character voice. Easy mistake to make, but they're not the same thing.

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Style is more about the technical aspects of your writing—sentence structure, word choice, that sort of thing. While you can take style from your voice, your voice is not wholly style.

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Tone is the attitude or mood you're conveying in a particular piece. Again tone can apply to your voice, but it is not your voice.

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Character voice can be similar to your literary voice but usually, this is a beginner's error and not intentional. You'll want your characters to have unique voices, and not sound like you or each other. Many tips I share for discovering your writing voice can be used for characters as well.

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But "voice?" It transcends individual works. It's consistent across everything you write.

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Get it? Your Author's Voice is the underlying current that flows through all your work, regardless of style or tone.

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Tip: The narrator's voice can be your voice or a character's voice.

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So - How Do You Find Your Voice?

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Well, you can't study it or borrow it from someone else. (As much as I love the way L.A. Banks writes.) It's not something you learn—it's something you discover within yourself and from within your writing.

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Sometimes our writing voice can get muddled out by (all the things). Through the people in our lives, any masks or personas we've put on, from society as a whole, really.

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If you ever hear me talk about my love for journaling and note-taking. Well, it's because it's helped me find my writing voice. The more you write, the more you remove the filters, and the more you discover your writing voice, not Jane Austen's, Not Ernest Hemingways, Not L.A. Banks — Yours!

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And that's where skill building comes in. Once you figure that voice out you can refine it. I find these few ways most helpful.

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• Read More. Widely. And Like A Writer. Don't just skim. Analyze. What draws you in? What puts you off? Pay attention to how different authors construct their sentences, develop their characters, and build their worlds. It's your writer buffet—sample everything, and keep what resonates. You can't copy someone else's writing voice but there's nothing wrong with being inspired.

• Write it UGLY. Practice writing every day, even if it’s just a few paragraphs. The more you write, the more you’ll discover your natural voice. Simple as that.

• Seek Feedback: Share your writing with others and ask for honest feedback. Understanding how your writing is perceived can help you refine your voice.

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Self-reflection. Journal Prompt:

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• What are my favorite books or authors, and why do I love them?

• What unique perspectives do I bring to the table?

• What topics or themes am I passionate about?

• What feedback have I received about my writing?

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Write it all down. No filters. This is you, raw and uncut.

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Common Pitfalls to Avoid

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A few last things before I send you off with an assignment. Here are a few of the biggest mistakes either I’ve made or I’ve seen other writers making when finding their writing voice:

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Mimicking others too closely: I love the book ‘Stealing Like An Artist’ and the idea that you become the sum of your top (3) writers/artists/musicians — whatever. If you studied sociology you know there's some truth to this. But you want to avoid being a carbon copy. 

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I recommend reading ‘Stealing Like An Artist’ if you want to explore that concept a bit more.

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The problem here is becoming too focused on imitating the style or voice of another author. It stifles your creativity. Feels forced, uninspired, inauthentic, and all the other adjectives and it shows on the pages. 

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This is why I push the idea of of the FYEO (for your eyes only) draft. It’s between you & you. No pressure. Just write.

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Neglecting to evolve your voice over time: Second, I like to stay open to refinement as I grow as a writer. My writing voice from 10 years ago is VERY different now. For starters, I’m college-educated now. My writing has a more formal flair, more structured. And I embrace it. Another 10 years and we'll see. 

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As you grow and mature so will your writing voice. Don’t be afraid to let it. Additionally, run back to my voice refinement + development tips every so often. This will help you keep your writing voice fresh and authentic. 

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Keep this going and grab my Margin Notes.

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