Your Voice

Recently I read two articles about recognizing and how to find your voice. The first was titled On Writing Well and the second article was Finding Your Voice. Even though the articles were about the same topic, they both gave different advice on how to achieve the goal of gaining your own style and voice.

In the article Finding Your Voice, the author explains that imitating other writers styles brings you one step back from finding your own voice. The author says it's very hard to find your voice when you assume somebody elses. But the other article couldn't disagree more. The author of On Writing Well, says that imitating your favorite authors styles will help you shift into one that feels most comfortable until you're ready to develop your own. This author also says you won't lose your own identity by imitating other writers styles.

One thing the two articles agree on is to make your style of writing relaxed and relateable. This will help readers get a good image of  what you're writing about and make you your writing understandable, therefore more likable. On Writing Well states that even though your style should be relaxed, it shouldn't be breezy. Breezy style includes writing with slang and non-formal words. It's like your'e talking down to the reader.

On Writing Well  explains that finding your voice will be easier if you stick to the rules of writing, such as using techniques provided by other authors and not using cliches or slang words. The other article says to dig deep and plunge into new things that will enhance your writing and define your voice. It also says to go with whatever you find inside of you.

Another thing that these authors agree on is keeping your writing fresh, relaxed and simple. This helps your style of writing become more memorable and less complicated which attracts readers. By keeping your word choice fresh and surprising, it will keep the reader interested. And to top it all off keeping your style of writing relaxed will soothe the reader and make your writing seem more realistic.

Finding your voice isn't easy, but as you can see, there are many different strategies to find it. You just have to find one that suits you.