The idea of finding your voice as a writer is somewhat contradictory. Your voice is not necessarily something you have to “find” — it is something you (hopefully) already have within you, and what you really need to do is a) tease it out and b) fine-tune it.
Of course, other writers will inevitably influence you on the way. The “voice” you’ll bring out has been subconsciously cobbled together from other writers’ styles, and you may even have a list of your main inspirations. The trick is to not let yourself sound too much like any one of them, and to be deliberate about what you let in vs. filter out!
On that note, here are some tips on how to find your voice in writing… and how to continue prioritizing voice as your writing journey unfolds.
1. Start with what feels natural
If you’re not sure where to start, start with what feels “natural”; that is, write as you would normally. When you find yourself agonizing over word choice, tone or punctuation, mark your place with a highlighter or sticky note and move on. This will help you see where your voice is already developed vs. where it could use some work.
When you’re finished with a first draft — or section of a draft — come back to it and determine which areas you need to work on. If you have made a lot of marks, look at the big picture:
- Is there something they all have in common? For example, maybe you consistently struggle with character dialogue, descriptions of setting, or even propelling the plot.
- Is this a voice issue or a story development issue? If you know what you want to say, but just can’t get it down on the page, it could be a voice problem. Whereas if you simply have no idea what’s supposed to come next, you may need to return to your outline.
- Can I pinpoint how I want this to sound? From there, if it is your voice causing problems, try to break down what’s standing in your way. Is your pacing too slow, or maybe a bit too fast? Is there too much dialogue, or too little? Do you want your writing to be more dramatic; more accessible; more contemplative; snappier; sillier?
It can be tough to look at your writing through a critical lens, but starting with the forest and then narrowing it down to the trees should help you.
2. Consider grammar and syntax
Next up, you can get even more granular by reviewing your syntax and grammar. This is basically just a) how you structure your sentences, and b) your word choice and punctuation within those sentences.
Once again, look for certain patterns/trends:
- How long are your sentences — and indeed, your paragraphs? Do you have long, unbroken blocks of text on each page (which might be a struggle for readers to get through)? Do you have run-ons that make no sense? How can you fix these elements?
- What about word choice? Any words you’re overusing (intentionally or not)? What about “50-cent” words where you could go for something shorter and more functional? Look for places to try different synonyms… within reason. (You don’t want to go thesaurus-crazy and end up with profligate purple prose!)
- Does your grammar and syntax align with the intended pacing of each scene? For example, are you using shorter sentences — and perhaps more dialogue — when you want to ratchet up the tension? Likewise, are you lengthening your sentences and including more descriptive passages when you want to slow things down?
Speaking of dialogue: if you’re a fiction author, you’ll also need to think about how your characters speak. It can be tough to find the line between your voice and your characters’ voices — and while you’re allowed to have some characters that sound like you, it’s important that your cast not be too homogenous.
So make a conscious effort to differentiate your characters’ voices; this is the only way to “harmonize” them and keep readers intrigued by their stories. Consider their background, personality, motivations, and any dialect differences.
The more you practice these different voices, the easier it will be to write them — in your current project and beyond!
3. Erase clichéd phrases
We’ve already talked about overused words in general. But this section is specifically devoted to clichés, and for good reason: they’re insidiously common.
In fiction, idioms like “his eyes darkened” or “her stomach lurched” have lost their original impact because they’re so frequently used. You might not think you’re using clichés like this — but you’d be surprised how easily they can sneak into your writing.
Some other common descriptive clichés include:
- “His eyes were like fire”
- “There was a pit in her stomach”
- “He tried to swallow past the lump in his throat”
- “She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding”
- “He was tall, dark, and handsome” (and minor variations)
Check out this list of clichés for a much wider range of overused elements to avoid — not just phrasing either, but also character, plot, and worldbuilding clichés you don’t want to use!
And remember, if you’re concerned that something you’ve written might be a cliché — or worry you’ve accidentally co-opted the specific phrasing of another author — you can always Google it. If the phrase you try returns millions of results, it’s safe to say that it might be overused.
4. Use feedback to fine-tune
At this point, you’ve probably self-edited as much as you possibly can… which means it’s time to turn to external feedback.
Feedback is essential for fine-tuning your voice as a first-time writer. In fact, it’s essential to any job or serious pursuit where you’re striving for improvement! 80% of employees who receive constructive criticism say they’re more effective in their jobs.
Since it’s so fundamental to professional growth, you should make feedback a part of your writing routine as well — and continue with it even after you’ve pinpointed your voice. Also keep in mind that different people (editors, beta readers, and casual readers alike) will be useful for different types of feedback. If you have a dedicated proofreader, for example, they will fix any technical errors… but they might not help refine your voice.
A copy editor, meanwhile, is more likely to make effective “voice edits” — in the form of updating your word choices, chopping and changing your sentences around, and cutting filler descriptions in order to strengthen the essential voice of your work.
Meet qualified copy editors today
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Of course, you can also ask your family, friends, or even writing mentors to be your beta readers. Their feedback can be invaluable, especially if they also happen to fall under the umbrella of your target audience.
That said, if you’re craving the structured guidance of a professional (or if you just don’t want anyone you already know to read your work!), you can’t go wrong hiring an editor to give you feedback on vocabulary, syntax, and other elements of your writing voice.
5. Remain open to different influences
Your writing voice is a lot like your everyday speech. Over time, the various articles, prose, and poetry you read merge — creating that subconscious style we talked about at the beginning.
In any case, though you definitely don’t want to copy anyone outright, it’s still useful to remain open to these influences… and even try the occasional writing exercise to mirror other authors. Once you’ve done this, you can try experimenting with alternatives — shifting the point of view, or changing the tone (say, from dark to light, or from mildly to deeply satirical).
Also, don’t underestimate the power of reading when it comes to honing your voice! Particularly if you are having trouble with your writerly voice at the moment, sometimes the most helpful thing is to simply return to reading and let yourself absorb for a while.
Remember: establishing a clear, unique voice takes time, because it is not a one-and-done process. Even well-established authors are continuously refining theirs! Up-and-coming writers should remember that their voices are what makes their work theirs — and while it’s perfectly fine to borrow from others, at the end of the day, your writing has to stand on its own.
About the author
Eleanor Hecks is head writer and Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine. She is passionate about helping other creative professionals publish and market themselves and their writing. Connect with Eleanor on LinkedIn to keep up with her latest work.
