One of the most valuable tools a writer can possess is a unique writing voice. Your writing voice isn't only about your style; it's that thing only you can do. The thing that sets your writing apart from the writing of other authors. But how do you discover this for yourself?
Use Your Personality
Although you shouldn't lean solely on your own personality and speaking style - especially when writing fiction - it's okay to embrace the occasional quirky catchphrase or use some regional dialect, if your setting allows. Don't spend time worrying about whether you are using fancy words within your writing unless you are particularly familiar with fancy words. Otherwise, you run the risk of making your book like the episode of Friends where Joey uses a thesaurus until his writing no longer makes sense! :p
Read Outside Your Comfort Zone
Have you ever found that if you read a lot from a particular author, your writing style slips into theirs? If so, this is why it's important to read more than just what you usually read. if you absorb the same thing over and over, it sticks. If you read romance, get yourself a thriller. If you like horror, read a crime novel. Switch things up because only by expanding your likes can you expand your vocabulary and locate your own voice.
Experiment
When I first began writing, I thought I was going to be a chick lit writer. Mostly because that was all I read. But it turned out that as a newbie, I didn't quite have the needed humour to pull it off, and I found that out as I was writing my first novel. What I discovered instead was that my writing is much more emotion/angst-based. And so, I began to play around with that. It's super important to not box yourself in and naturally find your lane by trying various things and seeing what feels comfortable.
Be Patient and Persistent
Finding your writing voice takes time, patience, and practice. While you're trying to find out what works for you, be kind to yourself. It can take years to really find your vibe, so enjoy the process for what it is and don't give up! It will all be worth it when you have people talking about how unique you are!
If you'd like more help with your writing, my Write Here, Write Now Community has all of the writing advice and support you will ever need!
Other blog posts by Karen:
How to Hook Your Reader
How to Avoid Overdescribing
