Finding your unique writing voice is one of the most important things you can do as a writer. It’s what makes your work distinct, memorable, and engaging. But if you’ve ever tried to “find your voice,” you might have realized that it’s easier said than done. Writers are often told to be authentic, but what does that really mean? How do you develop a unique writing style and voice that is truly yours, without feeling like you’re imitating others or forcing something unnatural?
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What is a Writing Voice?
Before we dive into how to develop it, let’s clarify what a writing voice actually is.
Your writing voice is the way you express yourself on the page. It includes your tone, word choice, sentence structure, rhythm, and even the themes you gravitate toward. It’s the feel of your writing and the thing that makes your work recognizable as yours.
Some writers have a poetic, lyrical style, while others are punchy and direct. Some favor humor, while others lean toward introspection. There’s no right or wrong way to write, as long as your voice is genuine and well-developed.
Your voice is not the same as your genre or the topics you write about. You could write fantasy, nonfiction, or sci-fi and still maintain the same core voice. It’s how you write, not what you write.
A unique writing voice makes your work stand out. It makes your stories more immersive, your essays more engaging, and your blog posts more personal. When readers connect with your voice, they remember you—not just your words, but the way those words made them feel.
Additionally, your writing voice evolves over time. The way you write now might be very different from how you write in five years, and that’s okay. Growth and refinement are natural parts of the process. Instead of striving for a fixed voice, think of it as something that adapts as you gain more experience and confidence.
Step 1: Read a Lot (But Don’t Copy)
If you want to develop your own voice, you need to read. A lot.
Exposing yourself to different styles, authors, and genres helps you see what resonates with you and what doesn’t. You might love the way one writer describes settings but find another’s dialogue more natural. Reading widely helps you absorb different techniques, which you can then experiment with in your own way.
However, there’s a fine line between influence and imitation. When starting out, it’s common to mimic the writers you admire. That’s okay; it’s part of the learning process. But your goal isn’t to sound like your favorite author; it’s to take inspiration and shape it into something that feels natural for you.
You can check out some of my posts about different books I recommend and enjoy to get some inspo!
Try this: After reading a passage you love, rewrite it in your own words, keeping the same general idea but using your own style. This helps train your voice without falling into imitation.
Also, take note of books or articles you naturally gravitate toward. What do they have in common? Do they use humor? Short, punchy sentences? Flowery descriptions? Understanding what you enjoy as a reader can guide you in shaping your voice as a writer.
To go deeper, keep a reading journal where you jot down observations about the books you read. What works for you? What doesn’t? This process helps you engage with different styles without feeling overwhelmed.
Step 2: Write How You Speak (But Cleaner)
One of the best ways to make your writing sound authentic is to write how you speak—minus the filler words and awkward pauses.
A common mistake writers make is thinking their writing needs to sound fancy or overly polished to be “good.” They stuff their work with complicated words, long sentences, and overly structured phrasing. The result? Writing that feels stiff and unnatural.
Instead, aim for a natural rhythm. If you’re not sure how your writing sounds, read it out loud. If it feels like something you wouldn’t actually say, adjust it. This doesn’t mean writing exactly as you talk (because let’s be honest, everyday speech is filled with um’s, like’s, and tangents), but it should flow in a way that feels comfortable and true to you.
A great exercise is to record yourself explaining an idea or telling a story, then transcribe it. This will help you see the patterns in your natural storytelling and help you translate that into your writing.
If you find that your writing feels forced, try freewriting. Set a timer for ten minutes and write whatever comes to mind without editing. This exercise helps strip away self-consciousness and lets your natural voice emerge.
Check out this post to get some journal recommendations for your daily writing sessions!
Step 3: Write Every Day
Your writing voice won’t magically appear overnight. Like any skill, it develops through practice.
Writing daily—even if it’s just a few paragraphs—helps you refine your style over time. Don’t pressure yourself to create something perfect. Some days, your writing will feel forced, awkward, or clunky. That’s normal. The key is consistency.
Journaling is a great way to practice without the fear of an audience. Since no one else will read it, you can be completely yourself, without worrying about structure or style. Over time, patterns in your writing will emerge, showing you what feels most natural.
Try different writing exercises. Rewrite a scene from a different perspective. Describe a setting using only senses other than sight. The more you experiment, the more you’ll uncover what works for you.
Read this –> Why World Building is Important in Fantasy Stories!
Additionally, look for themes that keep appearing in your writing. Do you naturally include humor? Are your characters introspective? Recognizing these patterns can help you refine your voice.
Step 4: Experiment with Different Styles
It might sound counterintuitive, but trying different styles can actually help you discover your own.
Challenge yourself to write in ways you normally wouldn’t. Try writing a page-long sentence. Experiment with short, choppy sentences. Write a piece that’s purely dialogue, or one that’s filled with rich descriptions. Play with humor, drama, minimalism, and poetic language.
Another fun exercise is writing the same scene in three different styles: formal, humorous, and poetic. Doing this helps you see what feels most natural and enjoyable.
If you’re feeling bold, take one of your old pieces and rewrite it from scratch. Without looking at the original, see how you naturally retell it now. This can reveal how much your voice has evolved over time.
Final Thoughts: Your Voice is Already There
Finding your writing voice isn’t about creating something new—it’s about uncovering what’s already there.
Through reading, writing regularly, experimenting, and trusting your instincts, your voice will naturally emerge. It won’t happen all at once, and that’s okay. The more you write, the more confident you’ll become in your style. And the best part? Your voice will continue to evolve and grow with you as a writer.
So, don’t stress about “finding” your voice. Just write. The more you do, the more your voice will make itself known. And once you find it, embrace it, because no one else in the world can write quite like you.
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