You’ve heard it many times. ‘Your voice is unique.’ Or ‘no one else has your story.’ Or ‘no one can write it like you.’ It’s all about the original sound and quality of your writing. The spring and rhythm of the way you write. But what is your voice and how do you find it?
Your voice is the soul of you. It’s the tone of you at heart. Your voice is unique because no one else has had your experiences. Your feelings and the way you express them through story are distinctive. You can’t copy the way someone else writes because it will sound fake and insincere. You have to find your own voice.
How do you find your voice? Here’s the catch – you must write. Then you must write some more and more and more. Only when you’ve tried and failed and edited and drafted then redrafted and then written some more will you find your voice. Your voice becomes apparent through practise and hard work. Even then it may not be apparent to you. Someone might say ‘I love the way you write,’ and you’ll say ‘what do you mean? How do I write?’ And they’ll say, ‘I don’t know, it's you, it’s just the way you write.’
Something happens when you keep writing. When you hammer away at the page, keep pushing at the words, when you simply keep going. You do find your voice. You will find your voice.
Unlocking your voice is also about trust. Have faith in the creative process. Trust your instincts. Keep writing, have faith and trust your instincts. Your voice is the soul of you.
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If you’d like to share any comments or thoughts, I’d be happy to hear from you. Email me directly at lisacliffordwriter@gmail.com.