Finding and Developing Your Unique Writing Style
Imagine opening a book and immediately recognizing the author’s unique style—their voice. This distinctive quality not only sets their work apart but also creates a connection with readers. But what exactly is author voice, and why is it so crucial to writing?
What to Expect
Clarifying Author Voice: Learn what author voice is, how it differs from narrative voice and tone, and why it’s crucial for authenticity, distinction, and reader loyalty.
Actionable Tips: Discover practical steps to develop your voice, from reflecting on personal experiences to embracing your unique style.
Overcoming Obstacles: Address common challenges like self-doubt and industry pressure, with strategies to stay true to your voice.
Helpful Resources: Access tools and next steps to refine and elevate your writing style, guiding you on your author journey.
Why Is an Author’s Voice Important?
Your author voice is the unique combination of your writing style, tone, and personality that permeates your work. It’s how readers recognize you as an author and what sets you apart from others.
A distinct author voice is essential because it:
Establishes Authenticity: A genuine voice builds trust and connection with readers.
Differentiates Your Work: A unique voice makes your writing stand out in a crowded market.
Builds Reader Loyalty: Readers return for an author’s voice, not just the story.
Consider authors like Virginia Woolf, Haruki Murakami, and James Baldwin. While their works cover different terrains, their voices are unmistakable, leaving a lasting impression no matter the subject matter. Their unique styles prove that when you develop your own voice, it resonates with readers across various contexts, making your work unforgettable!
Author Voice vs. Narrative Voice
It’s important to distinguish between author voice and narrative voice, as they serve different functions in writing.
Author Voice: This reflects the author’s unique perspective, style, and personality across all their works. It’s consistent and identifiable, regardless of the story being told.
Narrative Voice: This pertains to the specific voice adopted within a particular story, shaped by the narrator’s point of view, tone, and style. It can vary from one work to another, depending on the narrative requirements.
For example, an author might have a witty and humorous voice overall but choose a somber and reflective narrative voice for a story dealing with serious themes. Recognizing this distinction allows you to adapt your storytelling approach while maintaining your unique authorial signature.
Many bestselling authors master the art of balancing both—Margaret Atwood’s author voice is sharp and satirical, but she adjusts her narrative voice depending on the tone of her novel. The ability to shift within a consistent framework is what makes a great author voice truly dynamic.
Author Voice vs. Author Tone
While voice and tone are related, they are not synonymous!
Voice: Voice is the author’s unique style and personality in writing.
Tone: Tone refers to the attitude or emotional quality conveyed in a piece of writing. It can change depending on the context, audience, or purpose.
Think of voice as your natural speaking style and tone as the mood you adopt in different situations. For instance, your voice remains consistent, but you might use a formal tone in a business meeting and a casual tone with friends. Similarly, your author voice is constant, but the tone can shift to suit the narrative’s needs.
Another way to look at it: your voice is who you are as a writer, while your tone is how you choose to deliver a specific message. This subtle distinction is crucial in developing your versatility as an author.
How to Find Your Author Voice
1. Reflect on Your Experiences and Beliefs
Your background, experiences, and worldview significantly influence your voice. Consider:
Personal Experiences: How have your life events shaped your perspective?
Values and Beliefs: What core principles guide your thinking?
Interests and Passions: What topics are you drawn to?
By examining these aspects, you can infuse your writing with authenticity and depth. Your unique experiences give you a perspective that no one else can replicate. Your upbringing, cultural background, and personal struggles all contribute to the lens through which you write.
2. Read Widely and Critically
Exposure to diverse writing styles broadens your understanding and helps you identify what resonates with you.
Analyze Favorites: What do you admire about your favorite authors’ styles?
Identify Patterns: Are there common elements in the writing you enjoy?
Experiment: Try incorporating aspects you appreciate into your own writing to see what fits naturally.
Reading widely not only enhances your skills but also informs your unique voice. Studying how different writers handle pacing, dialogue, and description can help you shape your own style. Consider keeping a reading journal where you jot down observations about what you love in certain books.
3. Write Regularly
Consistent practice is key to developing your voice.
Daily Writing: Set aside time each day to write, even if it’s just a few paragraphs.
Journaling: Writing about personal experiences can help you find your natural voice.
Free Writing: Allow yourself to write without constraints to let your authentic voice emerge.
The more you write, the more comfortable you’ll become with your unique style! Over time, patterns will emerge that define your voice. Consider writing the same scene in multiple styles—humorous, dramatic, poetic—to see what feels most natural to you.
4. Seek Feedback
Constructive feedback provides valuable insights into how your voice is perceived.
Writing Groups: Join communities where you can share your work and receive critiques.
Beta Readers: Engage readers who can offer honest opinions on your writing.
Mentorship: Learn from experienced writers who can guide you in honing your voice.
Feedback helps you understand how others perceive your writing and can highlight areas for improvement. Be open to constructive criticism, as it can provide valuable insights into how your voice is perceived.
5. Embrace Your Personality
Let your true self shine through your writing.
Be Authentic: Write in a way that feels natural to you, rather than imitating others.
Take Risks: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different styles and subjects.
Trust Your Instincts: Your unique perspective is valuable; embrace it confidently.
Developing a voice that lasts requires embracing your individuality!
Resources for Developing Your Author Voice
Developing a lasting author voice is a continual process that requires patience, practice, and embracing your individuality, a journey that can be enriched by various resources. Here are some recommendations of tools to assist you!
Books
Writing Voice: The Complete Guide to Creating a Presence on the Page and Engaging Readers
This guide offers insights from best-selling authors and instructors, providing exercises and techniques to help you craft a compelling voice in both fiction and memoir.
The Writer’s Voice: Techniques for Tuning Your Tone and Style by Anne Janzer
Structured as a twelve-week writing course, this book delves into the nuances of voice, offering thought-provoking exercises and writing prompts to help you uncover multiple authentic voices within your work.
Online Articles and Guides
“Finding Your Voice as a Writer” by Estelle Erasmus
This article provides top tips to help writers discover their distinct voice, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-exploration.
“How Do I Find My Voice in Writing?” by Writer’s Digest
This piece discusses the significance of practice and honesty in developing your natural voice, offering practical advice for writers at all stages.
Workshops and Courses
These online, tutored courses offer flexible, accessible learning worldwide. Drawing on Granta’s archive of world-class literature, students refine their authorial voice and prose through practical assignments, personalized feedback, and peer collaboration.
Offers year-round online creative writing classes in Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, and Screenwriting, led by accomplished instructors. These workshops provide a platform to develop your unique voice through structured assignments and peer feedback.
Find Your Writer’s Voice – Stanford Continuing Studies
This course delves into how narrative voice influences other craft elements, such as language and character. It provides a keen eye on issues surrounding the writing voice, helping you cultivate an authentic and compelling style.
Writing Communities and Forums
Engage with fellow writers in discussions about developing a unique writer’s voice, sharing experiences, and offering support.
Litopia’s Craft Chat on Finding Your Voice
Participate in craft chats focused on exploring and understanding writer’s voice, with insights from various authors.
Your Voice, Your Power
Finding and developing your unique author voice is a highly personal and always-evolving journey of self-discovery and practice. By reflecting on your experiences, reading widely, writing regularly, seeking feedback, and embracing your personality, you can cultivate a voice that is authentically yours.
Remember, your voice is what makes your writing uniquely yours, and it’s worth the effort to discover and nurture it.
As you embark on this journey, consider exploring resources that can further assist you in developing your author voice. Atmosphere Press, a hybrid publishing company, offers a wealth of materials and support to help writers refine their craft and find their unique style, providing valuable guidance as you continue to develop your voice and connect with readers.
Erin K. Larson-Burnett, Production Manager at Atmosphere Press (submit your manuscript here!), is a born-and-raised Southerner currently living in Katy, Texas, with her husband and their small domestic zoo. She is an avid ink drinker who lives and breathes books—during the day, she works remotely with authors around the world, honing and perfecting books published through Atmosphere Press. By night, she crafts her own stories…or at least tries to. The Bear & the Rose is her debut novel.
Atmosphere Press is a selective hybrid publisher founded in 2015 on the principles of Honesty, Transparency, Professionalism, Kindness, and Making Your Book Awesome. Our books have won dozens of awards and sold tens of thousands of copies. If you’re interested in learning more, or seeking publication for your own work, please explore the links below.
