How Do You Find Your Writing Style?
And how do you know when you've found it?
Whether you're a new writer or a seasoned pro, you've probably heard writers, editors, and publishers talk about an author's style.
What is a writing style? It's your voice as a writer; it's what makes your writing distinctive. A writing style isn't just one thing; it's an amalgamation of grammar, word choice, creativity, and more, and together, these things make your writing yours.
Okay, you might be thinking, that's great, but how do I find my style? Do I already have a style?
Technically, yes, every writer has a style or voice when they write, even if it's unintentional. But that style may be inconsistent or may not be well-suited for the type of writing they want to do, and that's why it's important to take the time to think about your writing style and make it work for you!
So, how do you find and intentionally create your style? Here are some tips and advice that can help you along the way!
Figure out what you love to read and what you're passionate about first.
Before you put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard), think about your favorite books, particularly those in the genre you're planning to write in. What do you love about those books? In your opinion, what makes a good book in that genre?
For example, let's say I'm thinking of writing a memoir; I love memoirs that go deep into the author's mind and make me feel like I'm having a conversation with the writer. I'm drawn to stories with vivid imagery and natural-sounding dialogue. Knowing these things, I can try to include strong imagery in my scenes, and when I'm writing, I can read the dialogue aloud to make sure it sounds real.
You'll also want to think about why you love reading and writing what you do. Ask yourself how a good piece of writing in your genre makes you feel. What feelings do you want to evoke in your reader? While this is a little more abstract than implementing specific techniques, knowing this can guide you as you develop your style.
Balance creativity, experimentation, and technical skills.
Writing, like other creative endeavors, isn't an exact science, so it makes sense that there's no formula to nail down your style. But as you try to find your style, you'll want to give yourself the freedom to explore new things while still keeping in mind the technical parts of writing ("technical" meaning the organization of your writing, grammar, etc.).
How do you do this in practice? Give yourself time to push boundaries and practice new things. At this stage, don't worry too much about technical or grammar issues, though you do want to make your writing coherent enough to understand, of course.
Then, take a step back and look at what you've written. This is the time to be a little more analytical. Do you have a question about a technical element of your writing? Look it up! Is there a sentence that feels like it doesn't belong? Revise it. Self-editing is a big part of finding your style, but it should be done after you've written your first draft—not as you're writing for the first time.
It's also helpful to dedicate time to learning about writing; as the saying goes, you have to learn the rules before you can break them. You can do this by reading a book about writing, of course, watching videos about the craft of writing, searching articles on specific writing-related topics...the options are endless! To avoid getting overwhelmed, it helps to focus on one topic at a time. Find a method of learning that you enjoy and try to implement a little of what you learn when you write next!
Your writing style can change, and that's okay!
As a writer, my style has gone through a lot of changes over the years, and that's pretty normal. So if you're seeing some changes in your style, don't panic!
Your style will also likely change as you read new books, experience new things, and grow as a person. Just like people are always evolving, your writing style will evolve, too!
Of course, you can make a conscious effort to change your style—if you're writing an essay, for example, your writing style is going to be different than it would be if you were writing a short story.
You can also choose to hold on to elements of your style that you appreciate. Even if you're actively experimenting, you can still use the tools you've gained over time. So if you're writing a fiction dystopian series instead of a memoir, for example, poignant imagery can still be a part of your style.
Finding your writing style takes time and practice, but it's important to remember that you always have the ability to change or expand upon your style if and when you want! You're never trapped in one style, so whether you've been writing for decades or you're a new writer, don't be afraid to try something new.
When did you know you'd found your style as a writer? Are you still searching for yours? Start a conversation in the comments below or engage with this post by giving it a heart!
If you are writing a book and want a hand, let us know! Our team—Kim, Taylor, Emily, Maria, and Jean—would love to help you with creating your book. If you'd like to talk about your idea or want advice, we are here for you. Even if we don't work together, I'm happy to share what I know. Book a 30-minute complimentary consultation by clicking here:
https://www.kwepub.com/consultation
We look forward to hearing about your incredible book project.
Write on!
Kim Eley
KWE Publishing
“Writing is a job, a talent, but it’s also the place to go in your head. It is the imaginary friend you drink your tea with in the afternoon.”
–Ann Patchett
Coming Soon: Bernice and the Shadow Witch!
You won’t want to miss the second book in the Bernice Books Series, Bernice and the Shadow Witch, which launches on November 14th! Written by Brandt Ricca and illustrated by Matt Miller, this exciting tale follows young Bernice through New Orleans and beyond.
It's the holidays in New Orleans! It's eerily cold and dark and snowflakes are falling. Mrs. Hart is getting ready for their big New Year's Eve party and pushes Bernice to be more sociable. In the process, tales of legends in New Orleans are spun from Bernice's neighbor, Nona Devereaux, to her and her new trouble-making friend, Ellie.
After sneaking off into a white-covered St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, Bernice makes her way home feeling goosebumps and falls asleep in the realm of Shadow Witches, where she finds chaos, mischief, and whispers in the dark. Guided by her Keeper, Gracie, they discover what persuades children into broken dreams and come face to face with a family secret and, more importantly...a key to rescuing a loved one lost long ago.
Find Your New Favorite Book From KWE Before The Holidays!
If you’re searching for a new book, KWE has you covered! We have several amazing books that have been or are due to be released soon, including Bernice and the Shadow Witch (written by Brandt Ricca and illustrated by Matt Miller), Chocolate Chip & Cookie and the Scary Bug (written by Liz Liverman), Eating and Moving for Your Cycle (written by Kailee Karst, DPT, and Heather Evans, MS), Unitive Justice (written by Sylvia Clute, JD, MPA), and Death in Ruin (written by Mayté Losada)!
We’ll make sure to share more information about these amazing books as their launch dates approach!
Check Out Val Rogers’ A Pagan’s Path to Meditation, Available Now!
Written by Val Rogers and illustrated by Linda Tracy, A Pagan’s Path to Meditation is a beautiful book filled with a variety of meditations and gorgeous artwork!
When you crave space and a few quiet moments for yourself, this book will lead you down the path. Step into the world of illustrated guided meditation with these 10 (plus 1 bonus) meditations focused on nature and peaceful moments. Whether you wish to enhance your morning ritual or expand and create a new habit, invite A Pagan's Path to Meditation to be your guidepost. With a fresh approach of added artwork for each meditation, your journey to reduced stress, focused intention, and strengthened mindset begins here.
IngramSpark: Nominate Your Book!
IngramSpark recently shared that you can nominate your book to be included on a list that will be sent to a variety of retailers nationwide! They share:
“Nominate your book to be included in curated lists sent to retailers, librarians, wholesalers, consumer-facing read and review sites, and more! Upcoming lists will include books with Holiday, Self-Help, Black History, and Romance themes.
Please note: not all nominations will be selected for inclusion.”
Resources:
Here at KWE Publishing, we want to share a few of our favorite resources with our newsletter readers. Check back weekly to see what resources we recommend!
Creating a platform is something you hear a lot about as an author, but how do you actually do that? Where do you start? How can you promote your work and create a brand that’s truly representative of your message?
Create If Writing is there to help you figure out how to create a meaningful platform that represents you and your writing craft! From helping you post the right links on your social media platforms to giving advice about how to effectively use images to entice readers, Create If Writing is a great site that breaks things down in a way that’s easy to understand. They provide a wealth of tools that make the complexities of marketing simpler. If you’re curious to learn more, we recommend checking out their site for great resources and blog posts, and you can listen to their backlog of podcasts!
