How can I find my voice or tone in writing?

Question

A lot of time we hesitate to write cause we simple get stuck at trying to figure out what we can write about? Second challenge is when we find a trending topic or something we are passionate about - how do we then find our voice or tone? This is true for a lot of creative writers, and those writing technical pieces. Poetry, college applications, and those product presentations.

Answer 1

Finding your voice or tone in writing is a process that involves self-exploration, practice, and a deep understanding of your own perspectives and style. Here are some strategies to help you discover and develop your unique voice:

1. Read widely:

- Explore a diverse range of writing styles, genres, and authors.

- Pay attention to how different writers express themselves and convey their ideas.

- Identify the writing styles that resonate with you and make note of the techniques or qualities you admire.

2. Reflect on your values and experiences:

- Consider your personal beliefs, values, and life experiences.

- Reflect on how these factors shape your perspective and influence your writing.

- Identify the themes or topics that are meaningful to you and that you feel passionate about.

3. Write regularly:

- Practice writing consistently to develop your skills and refine your style.

- Experiment with different writing techniques, tones, and genres.

- Allow yourself to explore and take risks in your writing, embracing your unique voice.

4. Be authentic and genuine:

- Write from your heart and with honesty. Avoid trying to imitate others or conforming to what you think is expected.

- Embrace your individuality and let your personality shine through your writing.

- Trust your instincts and write in a way that feels true to who you are.

5. Consider your audience:

- While staying true to yourself, also consider the expectations and preferences of your intended audience.

- Adapt your tone and style to suit the context and purpose of your writing.

- Strive to engage and connect with your readers while maintaining your authenticity.

6. Revise and refine:

- Review and revise your writing to polish your voice and refine your style.

- Pay attention to the clarity, coherence, and impact of your words.

- Experiment with different sentence structures, vocabulary choices, and literary devices to enhance your writing.

7. Seek feedback:

- Share your writing with trusted peers, mentors, or writing groups.

- Listen to their feedback and insights, but also trust your own judgment.

- Use feedback as a tool for growth and improvement, while staying true to your unique voice.

8. Embrace your growth journey:

- Finding your voice is an ongoing process. It may evolve and develop over time.

- Embrace new experiences, explore different genres, and continually challenge yourself to expand your writing abilities.

Remember, finding your voice in writing is a personal and individual process. It requires self-reflection, practice, and a willingness to express your thoughts and ideas authentically. Stay true to yourself, be open to experimentation, and allow your unique voice to emerge naturally.

Good Luck & Happy Writing!

Answer 2

Taking a look into journalistic writing can also help with finding your unique voice and tone. For instance, when writing opinion pieces about a trending topic like your favorite artist and a new novel recommendation, find your angle.

Know why you are passionate about the topic and what you want your audience to know about that topic.

These two steps are versatile; you can apply them to essay/academic writing as well. When given a topic, ask yourself, "What do you want people to know about this? What do you want to bring attention to?" And that can help distinguish you from other writers.

Hope this helps!

Answer 3

Below are several links I resourced that may be helpful to you!

Tucker Max, writer of the article at the first link, feels that each of us already has our own voice--an innate, unique way in which we each naturally express ourselves when speaking and writing. Max also recommends the benefit of a daily writing practice.

I too believe that a daily writing practice is key to honing your writer's craft.

Having a great editor in your corner, a second pair of eyes to check your writing for effective organization, grammar and punctuation, is also sure to strengthen the flow and impact of your message.

The article at the second link below discusses the relationship of point of view and voice, and how your choice of point of view influences voice.

https://scribemedia.com/voice-in-writing/

https://study.com/academy/lesson/voice-in-writing-definition-examples-quiz.html

Here are links to two articles which do well at defining and discussing tone and its uses in writing:

https://www.grammarly.com/blog/tone/

https://coursementor.com/blog/types-of-tones-in-writing/

Hoping these ideas and links will be useful in answering your thoughtful and excellent question!

Answer 4

Hi there!

I completely agree. Writing can sometimes be a stressful process when you don't know where to start, or what you should write about. I think for me what helps sometimes is to look at other people's writing for inspiration and if I like their tone, or style, or form, then I can try to produce writing that is similar to their style.

I also think that a lot of the time, writing tone comes easier when you are writing from a memory or about a personal experience that you have had. Perhaps you could revisIt books that you already know you like, and see what kind of tone or writing style those authors use. Hope this helps!

Best,

Liang

Answer 5

A tone does not come in a day. This is a process. Great job starting today. Experiments, explore, and have fun doing the exercise below!

Day 1:

1. Just write.
2. Brain dump a list of things you might want to write about.
3. Go get some water, juice, and stretch a little.
4. Come back to list and highlight 2-3 topics.
5. Inspired yet? Just pick one.
6. Write. Don't stop. Just keep writing.
7. How do you feel?