One of the most exciting yet challenging aspects of becoming a writer is discovering and developing your own unique writing style. Your style is what makes your work uniquely you, shaping how you express ideas, create atmosphere, and connect with readers. But for many new authors, developing a style can feel mysterious. Fortunately, there are specific strategies to help you identify, shape, and refine your writing voice. Here’s a guide to getting started.
1. Read Widely and Mindfully
One of the best ways to develop your style is to read a variety of authors across genres, styles, and time periods. This approach can expose you to a range of voices and techniques, giving you ideas and inspiration.
- Notice What You Admire: As you read, pay attention to passages that resonate with you. Look closely at how the author uses language, sets the mood, or describes characters.
- Analyze the Techniques: Try to pinpoint specific elements in these passages, like sentence structure, word choice, or pacing. Ask yourself why they work and how they make you feel.
- Read Outside Your Comfort Zone: Pick up books in genres you wouldn’t typically read. This helps you understand different writing styles and may spark new ideas for your own.
2. Write Every Day (Or As Often As You Can)
Practice is essential for developing your voice. The more you write, the more naturally your style will emerge.
- Experiment with Prompts: Use writing prompts to try out different genres, voices, or styles. You might discover unexpected preferences.
- Set Small Goals: Consistency matters more than quantity. A few paragraphs a day can add up over time and help you build confidence.
- Embrace Freewriting: Allow yourself to write without worrying about perfection. Freewriting helps you relax, let your natural voice flow, and connect with your creative instincts.
3. Play with Different Genres and Styles
Exploring different genres can help you figure out what feels authentic. Each genre often has its own tone and pacing, which can reveal new aspects of your voice.
- Experiment with Genre: Try writing a mystery, a romance, or even a science fiction short story. Different genres can highlight different parts of your voice and allow you to see what feels natural.
- Vary Your Tone: Write something humorous, then try something dramatic. You might find your strengths in one tone over another.
- Adapt Your Style to Different Audiences: For example, try writing for young readers, then for an adult audience. Adjusting your language and voice for different age groups helps build flexibility in your style.
4. Reflect on Your Influences (and Let Them Go)
Most new writers find themselves naturally influenced by their favorite authors, and that’s okay! Style often starts with emulation. However, to develop your unique voice, you’ll need to move beyond simply imitating others.
- Identify Influences: Think about which authors or works have influenced you most. Write down what you admire about their styles and how they impact your writing.
- Borrow, Don’t Copy: If you admire how an author writes dialogue, pay attention to how they do it but practice making it your own. Let other writers’ techniques inspire you without completely defining your voice.
- Let Go Gradually: Over time, challenge yourself to avoid mimicking other writers. Instead, take techniques you like and see how you can adapt them to suit your unique perspective and story.
5. Focus on Your Strengths
Part of developing your style is understanding your natural strengths. Do you enjoy writing descriptive prose, fast-paced dialogue, or thoughtful narration? Identify what comes easily and feels enjoyable – these are often clues to your natural style.
- Identify What You Enjoy Writing: Are you drawn to descriptive language? Witty dialogue? Dramatic tension? Your favorite elements often reveal core aspects of your style.
- Seek Feedback: Ask others what they notice about your writing. They might point out patterns, themes, or strengths that you haven’t considered.
- Build Around Your Strengths: While it’s essential to challenge yourself, focusing on your strengths helps you refine and amplify what makes your writing distinctive.
6. Experiment with Language
Language choice is a big part of style. The words you choose, how you structure sentences, and even the rhythm of your writing all contribute to your unique sound.
- Play with Word Choice: Experiment with synonyms and see how different words affect tone and mood. For example, does “house” or “cottage” better match the atmosphere you want?
- Experiment with Sentence Structure: Try varying sentence length, using fragments, or switching between complex and simple sentences. Sentence structure can add rhythm to your writing and emphasize particular moments.
- Think in Metaphors and Similes: Creating your own comparisons rather than relying on common phrases can make your style feel fresh and authentic.
7. Use Dialogue to Shape Your Voice
Dialogue is a powerful tool for developing your writing style. The way characters speak, interact, and reveal information can give readers a sense of your unique voice.
- Make Dialogue Natural: Try to make conversations sound as realistic as possible. Imagine your characters’ voices, their personalities, and what motivates them.
- Use Dialogue Tags Sparingly: Experiment with removing dialogue tags and letting the dialogue itself show who’s speaking. This can add a sharp, clean feel to your writing.
- Use Dialogue to Show Rather Than Tell: Let dialogue reveal information about characters, the world, and the plot instead of relying on narration. This helps shape a style that’s dynamic and engaging.
8. Keep a Journal
Journaling is a fantastic way to explore and solidify your writing voice. It provides a private space for unfiltered self-expression, helping you tune into your authentic style.
- Write Daily Observations: Record small details you notice throughout the day. These can be used later in descriptions or character development.
- Explore Emotions and Reactions: Reflecting on your feelings can help you write characters with authenticity.
- Experiment with Different Voices: Try writing journal entries as if you were one of your characters. It’s a fun way to explore new voices in a low-pressure environment.
9. Trust the Process and Embrace Imperfection
Developing a writing style is an evolving process. Your voice may shift as you experiment, and that’s okay! Don’t pressure yourself to find the “perfect” style right away.
- Accept that Style Evolves: Style changes as you grow, read more, and write more. Embrace this as part of your journey.
- Don’t Fear Imperfection: Trying to write perfectly can stifle creativity. Let yourself be imperfect, especially in the early drafts.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Notice and celebrate when a passage feels uniquely yours or when readers connect with something you’ve written. These are signs your voice is coming through.
Final Thoughts
Developing your writing style is a journey of exploration, experimentation, and growth. Your voice is unique and will reveal itself over time as you write, read, and reflect. Remember, the most important part of finding your style is to enjoy the process and stay true to what resonates with you.