As a writer, it’s important to find your own unique voice. This can be difficult, especially when you are just starting out and may not know exactly what your voice is, or how to express it.
Sometimes when we’re first starting out, we feel like we need to sound like someone else to be successful. That’s a mistake. Readers want us to be authentic and speak from our heart, they want to hear our unique perspective.
Imitation Can Be Helpful to Develop Our Voice
We often look up to models and mentors, trying to imitate their style and tone as we learn and discover our voices.
Imitation is a natural part of the learning process, but it is essential to remember that we should not strive to be clones of those we admire. It is okay to adopt certain principles and ideas from other writers, but ultimately, we should aim to be our own unique selves.
The Goal is to Develop Your Own Style and Voice
As Seth Godin said in his book, The Practice, “Of course you’re allowed to sound like you. Everyone else is taken.” We each have our unique experiences, perspectives, and passions that make us who we are. These attributes should be reflected in our writing, as it is what makes our work authentic and truly ours.
Hugh MacLeod emphasized this point in his book, Ignore Everybody!, stating, “Write from the heart…there’s really only one way to truly connect.” We must write about what we care about, what we are passionate about, and what makes us unique.
In Steal Like an Artist, Austin Kleon reinforces this idea, saying, “it’s in the act of making things and doing our work that we figure out who we are.” Our writing practice itself reveals our unique voice and contribution over time. We just have to commit to the practice, keep writing, and trust that our voice will emerge.
Finding Your Voice is a Process
So, if you are struggling to find your voice as a writer, take heart in the knowledge that it is a process.
Embrace the models and mentors that inspire you, but constantly strive to be true to yourself. Write from the heart and keep practicing, and eventually, your voice will shine through.
Don’t expect quick results; the process of discovering your voice takes time. I’ve been regularly writing at least one blog post a week for the past two years, and I don’t think I’ve arrived yet. But I’m making progress …