Finding Your Writing Voice

Much like a fingerprint, a writer's writing voice is their unique imprint, it’s that blend of tone, personality, and perspective that distinguishes their work from others. Ever read a few paragraphs of a book and could already guess the author? That's because you already know that writer’s voice.

Writing consists of your choice of words, the emotions you put into them, and the way you share your thoughts. It serves as a sort of literary identity, showing your individuality and helping readers recognise your work. Finding your voice helps you forge a bond between yourself and your audience.

Finding Your writing voice would mean exploring different writing styles and reading lots of different things to analyse how different authors use language, structure their sentences, and convey emotions. Allow yourself the freedom to experiment. You could imbibe a formal tone, a casual tone, a humorous tone, a serious tone, and so on. Don't think too much about making mistakes, just write freely. Experimenting with several styles will help you identify the one that feels most natural. Over time, you'll start to notice patterns and preferences in your writing that contribute to your voice. 

You shouldn't expect to find your writing voice instantly, it requires patience and will unfold gradually. Practice writing with no constraints; let your thoughts flow naturally onto the page without trying to imitate someone else's style. Pay attention to what comes naturally to you. When looking at these writings, would you say that you often use humour or that you mostly write with a thoughtful and reflective tone? These patterns are clues that help you find out your special writing style. 

Feedback from others can also be enlightening. You could ask trusted friends, family, or a writers’ group to look at it for you. What they are looking for are elements of your voice that stand out. Their observations can provide glimpses into the nuances of your voice that you may not have noticed.

As you continue to evolve, so does your voice. Learn to accept this evolution and allow your voice to develop organically. 

Remember that your writing voice reflects who you are, so be true to yourself.