How to Find Your Writing Voice

Blogging is an important tool for self-promotion and personal projects, but it’s also paramount for businesses. Regularly updated blog content improves SEO and search results and can establish you as an industry thought leader.
So, yeah, it’s pretty important. But how do you write something people actually want to read?
Writing Voice
Well, the first step to engaging people is finding your writing voice. That sounds terribly self-important, but do you want bad content? Because if you don’t think about these things, that’s how you get bad content.
I’ve been blogging and writing in general since 2009. By this point, my writing voice is down pat. To be honest, if it weren’t, that would be concerning. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to think about this, but I have some guidance to offer.
Au Naturel
No matter the subject, your writing voice needs to sound natural. It has to represent you and your unique point of view. It has to be consistent, as well.
that kind of consistency doesn’t come easy. Cultivating a writing voice that’s second nature takes time, effort and words. So many words.
Sorry, there are no cheat codes or shortcuts, just an empty page and a flashing cursor.
But I’ve found it helps to read my writing aloud. Ask yourself, does this sound like me? Would you ever use the word “dour” in conversation? No, of course you wouldn’t because you’re not Morrissey.

Slash anything that sounds “off,” and you’ll develop a decent baseline.
Be Free
You need to begin somewhere to read anything aloud, though. I suggest starting with some free writing. Write about your day or that raccoon that’s taken over the dumpster behind your apartment. You know, whatever. It’s a lot easier to strike a natural tone when there’s no pressure.

Remember, you don’t actually have to post everything you write, either. Try Penzu, a free online journal designed for privacy. You might even consider going analogue and writing with a pen and paper.
Read to Write
There’s more to writing than the physical act of sitting at a keyboard. Reading is an indispensable part of learning to write. As Stephen King put it:
“If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write.”
You can’t be expected to develop your voice and hone your writing without seeing how it’s done by the pros, without finding inspiration. Consciously or not, you’re taking in decisions about language, pacing and structure.
Figuring It Out
It takes time to sort through your various influences, and for a while, it will seem like you’re merely imitating your favorite writers. Eventually, you’ll identify what does and doesn’t work for you. You’ll develop a flow and vocabulary that are all your own.

And even when you think you have things figured out, you’ll still be surprised. Last year, I read The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates one after the other. I felt like throwing my laptop down a well because in those moments — reading the last word of each novel — I thought I could never come close writing something so perfect. But you don’t have to be perfect to find your voice.
You just have to be you.
