Unleashing Your Scribbler's Power: Exploring the Steps and Reasons for It
Finding Your Distinct Writing Style: Embrace the Path to Stand Out as an Author
Penned by Tere Michaels, a prolific writer of heartwarming sagas brimming with wit, intrigue, and humor, she has graced over a decade of workshops and seminars, captivating audiences at RT BookLovers Convention, RWA online classes, and more. Connect with her through her website or on Twitter (@TereMichaels) and Facebook.
Ever since I was a child, books were my playthings, devouring anything I could get my hands on. In my hometown library, I'd polish off entire sections, from Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys to the adult section, with a special note catering to my voracious reading habits.
Devour. Devour. Devour.
As I didn't stick to a single genre while reading, it wasn't an automatic decision when I started writing. I wrote what felt authentic to me, my emotions, my thoughts, my stories. I crafted tales of family, romance, and action, perhaps dabbling in paranormal mysteries. The social dynamics, the internal conflicts, the triumphs, and the struggle for redemption – all these elementsflowed from my pen.
Little did I know that I was searching for my writer's voice, the most crucial component in my writing journey.
What exactly constitutes a writer's voice? It is the HOW and WHY a story is told, showcasing the author's perspective, preferences, tone, and rhythm – the very qualities that set one masterpiece apart from another trope.
When we declare that there are no original stories, there is a truth to it. What truly matters, what keeps a reader engrossed – page-turning, even with a ringing phone or a burning dinner – is the writer's voice, driving the narrative and captivating the reader.
This fact rings especially true for romance writers! Despite knowing how a romance story typically ends, readers can't stop flipping pages – it's the storyteller in their ears, weaving a unique, engaging tale that only they can.
"You've read this before, but not like THIS."
Your writing voice should be a comfortable, familiar place. While it's essential to challenge yourself, your writing voice should be like your trusted shoes, reliable and trustworthy, taking you to new heights.
Know your voice, know yourself, and assault those mountain peaks.
What makes you unique is your writer's voice
When we start writing, we often adopt a style inspired by another author. However, over time, our unique "tells" – the stories we prefer, the characters we develop, even our sentence structure – begin to form. These elements are the foundations of our writer's voice.
Plucking Stephen King or Nora Roberts as a model, we experiment with their styles to refine our own. While such copying serves as a primer, it's the beginning of the journey to discovering our unique voice hidden beneath.
The threads of our voice have been weaving together even before we began our writing journey. DNA, birthplace, childhood, education, and experiences – all these factors create the intricate tapestry we call a writer's voice.
Here's a list of factors that shape a writer's voice:
- Race
- Religion
- Ethnic background
- Birthplace and upbringing
- Parents and authority figures
- Education
- Writing experiences
- Reading preferences
- Consumed pop culture
- Spoken languages
- Childhood
- Family and relationships
- Travel
- Mental health
- Writing persona
Discovering our author's voice is about more than identifying our writing style or nailing a genre. It's an in-depth exploration of WHY we tell the stories we do, even WHY we write in the first place.
What compels YOU to write?
It's like creating a character sheet for yourself! Understand your motives, your aspirations, your inner struggles, and your ambitions. There are no wrong answers to this question. You are the writer of your story.
Know why you write, be honest with yourself, and embrace your writer's voice.
Charting Your Course: Finding Your Writing Voice
Step One: Mine Your Roots
If you're unsure about your inner voice, try this exercise:
Write down five favorite books, movies, or TV shows on a piece of paper (a mix of media is fine). Now, list a scene or character that has left a lasting impact. Sit with this list, contemplating the emotional resonance you experienced with each selection.
Consider the deeper significance of the stories that attracted you. How do these stories relate to the tales you choose to write now? Did they end the way you wanted them to?
Our writing voice is displayed not only in HOW we narrate a story but also WHY we tell that story. If we aren't emotionally invested in our writing, how can we expect our readers to be?
To make the most of your story, write from the core of your soul. You are making choices about characters, plotlines, and endings based on your personal desires, regardless of editor, deadline, or trend.
If you're not writing stories that stir your heart or delve into themes that fascinate you, I can't guarantee you'll forge a long-lasting career, or one that brings you joy.
I write to explore the internal struggles of tarnished heroes – deeply internal stories brimming with dialogue, which may seem counterintuitive but makes perfect sense to me!
I write because I love it, and when I'm not working on a book, my brain is still crafting stories, dissecting characters, and developing emotional arcs. My writing voice represents the irrepressible Will: I can't stop writing. I write stories of redemption through personal growth.
It's not something easily distilled into a few catchy phrases. But I have a deep understanding of how I write, why I write, and what I wish to explore. If I examine the media and narratives I consume, it aligns perfectly with my fascination for precisely that internal struggle, my quest to understand and heal it.
Step Two: Fashion Your Writer's Voice Manifesto for Yourself
To uncover the essence of your writing voice, dig deep. This is a personal exercise meant to guide you on your writing journey. It's not a prison, it's not a box to confine yourself in. Voice transcends genre. You can write whatever you wish, and your writing voice will remain your unique stamp, regardless of the genre you choose to write in.
Knowing your writer's voice gives you critical insights into your writing career. You'll better comprehend current markets, where your voice fits in, and choose your battles wisely. Your writing voice impacts your tone on social media, your marketing approach, your branding, and your overall writing persona.
You're the captain of your own career, and understanding your writer's voice helps you navigate the literary seas with confidence. It's time to take your writing voice and dazzle some readers.
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As I delve deeper into my writing journey, I actively cultivate my unique writing voice, seeking personal growth and education in the process. Striving for a blend of my favorite elements from books, movies, and TV shows, I weave stories that resonate with my core. By understanding the deeper significance of the tales that move me, I craft narratives that embody my writer's voice and reflect my intrinsic passions.
In my quest for self-development, I continuously explore the 'why' behind my writing endeavors. Understanding the motives driving my stories enriches my writing voice and allows me to stand out in the literary landscape. With this knowledge, I forge a path as an author, using my writing voice as a compass to navigate the ever-changing tide of the publishing industry.
