Write Out Loud

Are you struggling to find your unique voice? Can't seem to get the words out? This one simple technique could change your life forever.

LEARNING FROM OTHERS

When I first started writing, the biggest struggle for me was to find my "voice" (that is, my own unique style of writing). I tried emulating my favorite author. And this worked fine until I got sick of everyone telling me how much I sounded like Edgar Rice Burroughs.

As flattering as that might seem, the truth is... no one wants to be compared to someone else. We want to be appreciated for our own, unique skills. Sought after and desired for our own particular style.

And I was no different. I wanted to sound like me. The problem was... I didn't know where to find my voice.

SOUNDING LIKE OTHERS

My sister dragged me to karaoke once and continued to make fun of me until I broke down and sang. The funny thing is, everyone complimented me on how much I sounded like Elvis. The problem was... I was trying to sound like me.

I mean... is it wrong to want to sound like me?!?

The answer is, No, there's nothing wrong with it. In fact, it's what readers want. Because, just like music lovers are drawn to a singer's voice, story lovers are drawn to a writer's voice.

No one wants to listen to a singer who sounds like another singer. We want each singer to be unique becuase that's what makes the song unique. And it's the same with stories. No one wants to read a writer's work that reads like another writer. We want each writer to be unique, because that's what make the story unique.

The question is... how do we develop our own unique voice?

TYPE OUT LOUD

One of the best ways I've found to find and develop our own unique voice is to Write Out Loud. That is, to talk out loud while we're writing. It looks something like this:

As writers, we're used to working in silence and we forget that we have a voice. But, we do. We were born with it. It's built in, ready to go. All we have to do is use it.

So, if you want to know what your voice sounds like... sit down to write and talk as you type. If you want to find your voice, all you have to do is use it.

Now, understand... it'll feel really weird at first. But I promise, the more you do it, the easier it'll get.

Give it a try. You have nothing to lose. And maybe, just maybe, you'll find your voice and fall in love in with it.