Find your blog writing “voice”
Have you tried your hand at writing a blog post only for it to read clumsy or too academic?
Many of us psychologists and therapists are used to writing in a particular style because of how we've been taught or we’ve had to conform to writing formal letters, assessments and emails in our workplace setting. So “loosening” up for a general audience by stepping into our own voice (and not what is expected by our profession) is unfamiliar territory.
A writer’s voice is something spoken about a lot in fiction writing. A unique voice can make writers stand out from the crowd. You’ll know this when you pick up a novel by your favourite author or read a column by your favourite journalist. It’s that feeling of comfort and predictability that comes with a clear writer’s voice. We can slip into another world knowing that we’re in good hands.
A writer’s voice refers to word choice, rhythm, tone, visual language (metaphors), poetic and storytelling techniques. A voice may be warm and conversational, direct and authoritative, or inspirational.
Finding one’s writing voice doesn’t come easily. New writers, in particular, will often take on the voices of their admired writers, trying to recreate the reading experience of their writing idol. It takes time to untangle the voices of others and come to a voice that is uniquely yours.
Blogging is a great way to experiment with voice.
Unlearning old habits
While the content of a blog post can be professional and serious, it doesn’t have to be formal. This is where therapists and health professionals can come unstuck when it comes to blogging as it’s so hard to shake off old habits. We may use jargon, complex sentences and the formal writing style we adopt in our professional roles. And that’s because the same kind of rules don’t apply to blogging.
Notice how I started a sentence with the word “And” - a big no, no learnt back in English class!
In a blog, it’s okay to start sentences with “And” or “Because,” not in an attempt to throw out all grammatical rules but to make it readable.
We want people to read a blog as if they are hearing us speak. People don’t want to read a dry, academic paper- that’s what dry academic papers are for!
People want a connection. They want to connect with what you’re saying and feel something, learn something or gain a new perspective on a topic. They don’t want to work too hard to figure out what you’re trying to say.
5 tips to develop your blog writing “voice”
Here I share ways you can develop your own writing voice.
Free-writing
Free-writing means writing without censorship or thinking too hard. You could set a timer for 5, 10 or 20 minutes and just write whatever comes to your head about your topic of choice. Don’t leap into finding academic references or credible statistics to ground your article, just yet.
Instead, write whatever comes to mind. Don’t edit, don’t try to find clever ways of writing a sentence, just write write it down, unfiltered.
As author Jodi Picoult once said “You can’t edit a blank page.” So write first, edit later.
2. Write how you speak (only better)
Another way to hone your writer’s voice is to write how you speak. Writing in a conversational tone that speaks to the reader makes the blog post engaging and readable. Leave out the umms and ahhs and likes and write it down in your own words, only slightly more refined.
Think about how you’d talk about the topic to a client or a friend. Use everyday language, not the jargon you may use with a colleague.
3. Record yourself talking about the topic
You can even take this one step further and record yourself talking about the topic. What do you say when it’s off the top of your head? Record, transcribe, edit and then structure it into a blog post format.
4. Tune out other voices
If, like me, you absorb a lot of content, whether it be books, articles, podcasts or movies, this can take up a lot of space in your mind. We can become crowded in by words and content and there’s no room for our own free-thought. Sometimes we need a rest from other people’s voices to make space for our own.
Before you sit down to write, switch off all devices and engage in a grounding activity. This may be meditation, going for a walk, sitting in the garden with a cup of tea, whatever it is that helps you feel calm and centered. Then write.
5. Journal
Journaling is another strategy to ground and centre you while also experimenting with voice. What better way to get in touch with your voice than to divulge your thoughts, feelings, fears, desires and hopes onto the page? It doesn’t have to be anything to do with the blog post you want to tackle but journaling can free up creative space for your writer’s voice to shine through.
Take your time…
There’s no hurry to find your writer’s voice. This will develop naturally as you practice. The more you write the easier it becomes. If you try free-writing, journaling, having a break from the media, recording yourself and writing how you speak, you’ll inch closer and closer to your authentic blogger voice. Good luck!
If you would like to workshop a written piece, get feedback on your ‘voice’ or support with pitching to a publication, check out my content coaching packages or contact me for customised support.