No one can tell your story or write your poem quite the way you can. That’s why it’s so important that writers develop their own unique voice. Ernest Hemingway, for example, was famous for distilling his stories into short punchy sentences. He said a lot by saying little.

That’s one example of a distinctive voice, but there are many others. Some authors are very wordy indeed. Others like Jane Austen are famous for their use of wit and irony. As an author, you need to find what works for you. That takes time and practice. Here’s my top tips to discover your own voice.

Read Widely

I would never suggest that you try to mimic another author exactly. That will feel forced and unnatural. It might even be obvious to the reader that you’ve just copied someone else. But studying a wide variety of genres will expose you to all sorts of techniques you can experiment with.

If you read something you enjoy, examine it closely. Study the structure and vocabulary closely to see how the author has achieved the desired effect. Ask yourself if it can be adapted for your own writing.

Be Yourself

Of course, you don’t just want to imitate others. No one sees the world quite the way you do, so no one can express it like you can either.

Are you naturally humorous or logical? Optimistic or cynical? Blunt or Tactful? Concise or verbose? Be mindful of this and incorporate it into your writing. It’s also a good idea to be mindful of the types of words and expressions you typically use. Don’t try to be smart by googling obscure words. Keep it natural.

Reflect on your work and get feedback

Use your notebook to takes notes and analyse your own writing. Try to work out what is working and what isn’t.

Be mindful of cliches or crutch-words that weaken your voice.

It’s a good idea to get feedback on your writing from other writers too. Writing groups and beta readers can provide valuable feedback on your work. Some literary journals (like Penstricken!) also offer critiques and are well worth taking advantage of.

Developing your voice takes time. It won’t come overnight. It’s something that develops continually over a lifetime of writing. If you would like some honest but sensitive feedback on your writing, consider submitting your work to us. We will be happy to provide a critique in exchange for any donation over £1. Click here for full submission guidelines.