If you’re a writer, you’ve probably experienced the struggle to discover your writing voice.
You probably understand sitting down to write, and suddenly freezing, especially at the start of your career.
Not because you don’t know what you want to say – you have the facts, the plot points, or the argument all lined up – but because when the words hit the page, they sound… distinctively average.
They sound like everyone else.
And if there’s anything a writer hates, it’s sounding average.
So, we can all relate to the frustration of hunting down your writing voice to make you sound more distinct.
Moreover, it is something editors ask for and readers fall in love with. Unfortunately, it’s also one of those things that are not easily discovered.
This article is here to help strip away the mystery. We are going to break down what a writing voice actually is and look at practical ways to help you discover yours.
Understand What a Writing Voice Really Means
First, we need to clear up some confusion. What do we mean when we say, discover your writing voice? Or what does writing voice mean?
I’ve noticed that people often use the words “voice,” “tone,” and “style” interchangeably, but they are different.
Your voice is your personality. It is who you are. And it is shaped by your worldview, your background, and the natural rhythm of your thoughts.
Your tone, on the other hand, is your attitude in a specific situation.
That means you have one voice, but you use a different tone when you’re arguing with a toddler versus when you’re asking for a raise.
Finally, style is just the mechanics. It is the grammar rules you break or the vocabulary you prefer.
But since we are talking about your writing voice here, let’s focus on that, especially as your voice really takes the crown because it remains unchanged.
We can liken it to a fingerprint that is solely yours, that tells your readers that you wrote a piece even if your name isn’t on the cover.
7 Ways to Discover Your Writing Voice
Your writing voice doesn’t always naturally come to you, you have to discover it. Here is how you do that:
1. Study the Writers You Admire
One sure way to discover your writing voice is to study the writers you admire.
Start by looking at your bookshelf; every writer has authors they return to often. And when a writer speaks to you, it usually means something in their work aligns with your own instincts.
Which authors do you read religiously? Grab a few of their books and read them again with a different eye instead of just for enjoyment.
Notice their patterns; how they open their paragraphs, move through ideas, and how they choose their examples.
Pay attention, especially, to when you feel pulled in and when your attention drifts. Watch out for those moments when you read a sentence and think, “I wish I wrote that”.
Those moments tell you what you value in writing, it tells you what your voice is because that’s what resonates deeply with you.
Also Read: 10 Effective Ways to Read Like a Writer
2. Pay Attention to How You Naturally Think and Speak
I said earlier that your writing voice is who you are; it is what comes natural to you. So, your writing voice should be a polished version of your speaking voice.
It honestly doesn’t get simpler than that; the problem, however, is that many writers put on a “literary costume” when they type. Because they want to show “expertise”, they start using words they haven’t said out loud since 1998.
But really, your writing voice is the way you sound when you tell stories to your loved ones. It is how you explain something complicated, and how you argue your point in a conversation.
So, listen to yourself speak and pay attention to your text when you are not trying to impress anyone. Do you use short, clipped sentences? Do you use a lot of metaphors? Are you naturally sarcastic or relentlessly optimistic?
That unguarded, natural flow you display is your natural voice; just lean into them rather than forcefully smoothening them out.
3. Write Without Editing First
Another mistake many of us make is writing our first draft with that inner editor that doesn’t know when to shut up.
But you see, that inner editor is the enemy of your natural voice. As soon as you start worrying about grammar or whether a sentence sounds smart, you’ll stifle your natural instincts.
I am not saying you shouldn’t edit at all – that would be irresponsible – but you also shouldn’t edit too soon.
Freewrite and give yourself permission to pour everything onto the page first. Don’t delete even if the sentences feel messy; you can cross your t’s and dot your i’s later.
And when you come back to edit, you’ll notice moments where your true voice slipped out because you weren’t trying to control it.
Also Read: How to Overcome Writer’s Block: 10 Tips
4. Experiment With Different Tones and Formats
You may not have found your voice because you are writing in the wrong format. So why don’t you try other things?
For instance, you might be struggling to write a serious, academic essay because your natural voice is actually conversational and funny.
But you will never know what feels natural until you test a few doors.
So, do that: if you usually write non-fiction, try writing a fictional scene.
If you usually write long, descriptive prose, try writing a punchy opinion piece or a dialogue-heavy script.
Sometimes, switching formats will show you what feels more like yourself. You might discover that you are naturally sarcastic when writing first-person essays, but incredibly empathetic when writing third-person fiction.
But you won’t know until you try.
5. Reflect on Your Core Themes and Values
Your voice isn’t just how you say things; it is also what you care deeply about. That’s why you find that most writers revisit the same ideas again and again, even when they don’t plan to.
So, ask yourself what topics you return to constantly. What makes you angry? What brings you to tears? What creates that tightness in your chest?
Your values and unique perspective to life issues usually drive your word choice, which informs your writing voice.
For example, if you value justice, your writing might naturally feel urgent and direct. And if you value beauty, your writing might be more descriptive and slower-paced.
There’s a reason you write often about what you do. So, don’t avoid it.
Your obsession fuels your voice. Lean into those obsessions rather than trying to hide them. When your writing aligns with your values, it feels more grounded.
Also Read: 9 Qualities of a Productive Writer
6. Ask for Reader or Peer Feedback
We are often deaf to our own writing voice because we battle with self-criticism, and sometimes imposter syndrome. And honestly, it could just be because we can’t hear ourselves clearly.
So, you might think you sound professional and detached, while a reader might think you sound cold.
That’s why it’s vital to ask a few trusted friends or fellow writers to read your work. Besides it being a great way to discover your writing voice, it’s also a good practice to catch errors you might overlook before your work goes to the general public.
But anyway, in this context, ask them specific questions, like “How does this sound to you?” or “What words would you use to describe the personality of the narrator?”
Sometimes your voice becomes clearer when someone else describes it. They can tell you if your writing feels warm, bold, calm, humorous, or straightforward.
And when you hear the same observations from different people, you gain a better sense of what stands out in your writing.
7. Practice Consistently
This is the boring part, but it is the most important because your voice grows stronger with use. It grows stronger with every piece you write.
When you first start writing intentionally, your voice will wobble. You might sound like Hemingway one day and a breathless teenager the next. That is part of the process, though, so don’t let it discourage you.
Rather, keep showing up. Write every day, or every week, and finish things.
Over the months and years, you will find that you struggle less to get the words out, you will become more familiar with the patterns, and your voice will remain consistent, confident, and uniquely yours.
Conclusion
Even though we are talking about discovering your writing voice, it’s actually already inside you; you just need to excavate it.
You need to draw it out from where it is buried, under your fears of judgment and your attempts to sound like a “real writer.”
Once you stop trying to manufacture a persona and focus on telling the truth as clearly as you can, in the way only you can say it, you will find that your voice will become louder and clearer .
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I identify my writing voice?
You can start by reading your older pieces and noticing the patterns that show up again and again. Look at your pacing, your usual sentence length, and the mood your writing carries. And pay attention to what feels natural when you write without trying too hard. Those moments usually point to your real voice.
2. What are the main elements of a writing voice?
A writing voice is shaped by your rhythm, word choice, point of view, and the atmosphere your writing creates. It also grows out of your personality, values, and the way you think through ideas. When these pieces come together, they form a voice that feels steady across different kinds of writing.
3. How do I identify the author’s voice when I read someone else’s work?
You can look at how the writer handles ideas, how they sound when they explain something, and the emotion their writing carries. Pay attention to recurring patterns, favourite words, and the way they guide you from one thought to another. When several pieces by the same writer feel familiar in tone, that feeling is usually their voice.
4. Does a writing voice stay the same forever?
Your voice evolves as you grow. It becomes clearer as you write more, and it shifts gently as your experiences and interests change. The core of it remains yours, but the expression of it may become deeper over time.
5. Can a writer have more than one voice?
A writer can have one core voice with different tones depending on the project. You might sound more formal in a professional piece and more relaxed in a personal essay. The tone may change, but the underlying rhythm of your writing stays steady.
6. What if my voice seems ordinary or boring?
Every writer feels that way at some point. But when you keep practising, you’ll notice that your voice has a unique feel that others don’t have. Readers connect with honesty and clarity, not forced style. So it helps to focus on writing with sincerity instead of trying to create a special sound.
7. How long does it take to discover a writing voice?
There is no set timeline. Some writers notice their voice early, while others see it emerge after steady practice. What matters is consistency. The more you write, the clearer your voice becomes.
8. Can I change my writing voice on purpose?
You can refine it, but trying to replace it completely will make your writing sound inauthentic. Plus, it will be a struggle every time to get it done. So, a better approach is to strengthen the voice you already have by reading widely, writing often, and exploring different forms of expression.
