Food for Thought #13: Discovering Your Voice

byAJTrimble1

9.1K followers

Updated 5 years ago

Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that you and I are both in the same niche. Are we really competitors? I don’t think so.

What separates us from one another is our voice.

What is “Voice”?

Your voice is who you are. It’s the words you choose to say and the order you say them.

Voice is your opinion and your perspective on the topic at hand.

It’s your style. Is your writing formal and proper, or light and easy? Is It serious, or more on the humorous side of things?

How to Find Your Writing Voice

Your voice is based on your confidence in yourself. It’s taking a stand and choosing a side. It’s having the courage to believe in something and share that belief.

You cannot be all things to all people, so why try? There is no such thing as an audience that includes everyone. If you are writing to seek other’s approval, you are setting yourself up for a painful and bitter lesson.

Write for your true fans. It’s entirely possible – and actually desirable – that even if you and I are in the same niche, your fans might not like me and vice versa. That’s okay. That’s what we want.

The truth is that certain people will be attracted to your voice, and others will be attracted to mine. As humans we are all unique, so why should our writing be any different?

But I’m Afraid of Offending Someone

Many new writers are timid, afraid to put themselves out there and risk offending a reader. Of course, you don’t want to be offensive for the sake of being offensive; that doesn’t help anyone.

But you do have to set aside your fear and your insecurities. A large part of what makes your voice different from mine is your opinion. You simple have to have the confidence to be you. Certain readers will be attracted to you; certain readers will be attracted to me. And if your readers don’t enjoy my writing, I have to be okay with that. The same goes for you.

If you are trying to write for everyone, you will actually wind up writing for no one; your writing will be boring.

The Next Hemingway

When I was in college, I mentioned to one of my writing professors that my goal was to be the next Hemingway. I will never forget his response…

He said, “Instead of being the next Ernest Hemingway, why don’t you become the first A.J. Trimble?”

You see, your writing doesn’t have to be like anyone else’s. It only has to be the authentic you.

There’s an old saying: Everyone wants to be a writer, but no one wants to write. What it means is that a lot a people are enamored with the idea of “being” a writer (or rather being seen as a writer; there is a difference), but few people are willing to sit at the keyboard and actually bang out word after agonizing word.

But there is also a saying from the other side as well:

Writers… write.

If you are new to writing it may be a little uncomfortable. Embrace the discomfort and write.

If you are afraid of what other people will say about your writing, grip that fear and write.

If the voices in your head are whispering criticisms, tell them to shut up and keep writing.

Never let anything stand in the way of your writing. Writers write.

What's your voice?