My 3 Tips To Finding Your Writing Style
Everyone has a unique voice in storytelling. What's yours?
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What I get asked a lot is where I found my writing style and why I chose to stick with it. If you’ve read my debut novel, “The Last Guardians Of Atlantis”, then you know I prefer first-person perspective, using past-simple tense; narrating actions taken in the past.
I won’t bother with describing the various writing styles (there’s a lot) and definitely won’t dive into writing narration styles and tenses (it gets complicated real quick), so I’ll stick with 3 pieces of advice I was given that helped me find my style.
Read more and analyze what resonates with you.
Write consistently and experiment!
Use your own experiences and be authentic.
1. Read more and see what you like
Many of you probably have one or two favorite authors, and that’s a good starting point. Start by analyzing their style—there’s a reason why they’re your favorite. Dive deep into how they write—was it the witty dialogue, descriptions language, or fast-paced action that captivated you?
If for instance you’re unsure what style you like, then you have to read a wide range of authors and genres. One practical advice I received was to read the first chapter and see if the narrative voice captures you. This obviously is a bit time consuming but is a necessary step to finding your ‘author voice’. This ‘casting a wide net’ type of process helps you generate ideas and ways to begin a writing style you can stick with. Another advice: it’s okay to have a different style from your favorite authors.
My favorite authors are Dan Brown, Clive Cussler, Tom Clancy and Sarah J. Maas to name a few. And they, for the most part, primarily write in third person omniscient—meaning the narration is told from an all-seeing, all-knowing perspective where the readers sees every characters’ thoughts and viewpoints of the events unfolding before them.
Although I like seeing the perspectives of many characters and seeing how the plot unfolds, I chose not to write in that style. Personally, I prefer the first-person narration, either in present-tense or past-simple tense. This way, I give the reader a very intimate encounter with the main character and their thoughts and feelings.
If you can’t find a style to start with or you’re still unsure what to use, then the next step is a good way to begin.
2. Write and experiment!
At first I tried third-person omniscient, seeing how my debut novel has loads of characters. And this style makes sense for the size and scope of the story. Kinda like Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling or Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien (although both novels use a modified style of third-person perspective), being able to jump from character to character and describe each of them, helps paint the overall story for the reader.
But as I was writing in third-person, I felt a disconnect between the character. I felt like I wasn’t being true to the character nor to myself. I wanted the character to leap from the pages in a way. Although in third-person omniscient, you get to see the main characters thoughts and feelings, it just didn’t feel right. That’s when I began writing in first-person narration and found my true voice.
First-person or third-person?
Whichever you chose, make sure it’s what you want to write and not because someone said it’s the best style.
First-person, in my opinion, allows me to pull readers in intimately with the main character and see the world through their eyes. Although I lose out on the viewpoints of the other characters, it’s a great opportunity to develop an unfolding dynamic between characters, and reveal the story just as the main protagonist experiences it.
So, take the time to experiment and write out what you feel best suits your story.
3. Be Authentic!
From what I’ve been told, I apparently got an interesting writing style. Which is nice because I know it’s unique. An advice I got from a peer, was to be true to myself and use my own experiences and viewpoints to develop my writing. Basically, lean into what makes your perspective special.
Ask yourself, how do you tend to see the world and everyone around you? Dark and bleak? Bright and optimistic? Are you loaded with humor, bursting at the seams with puns? Are you emotionally resonant, able to pick up on subtle cues from other people? Use it! Use your innate and unique perspective to craft a style for your story.
Being authentic will naturally shape your style. As said before, my favorite authors use third-person narration exclusively and while I tried that, it wasn’t for me. First-person perspective is where I shine because it’s what I feel best represents me and how I interact with the world.
So, use your personal experiences, worldviews, and quirks to set your writing apart. And don’t be shy. Just do it and let the words speak for themselves!
And that’s it! I hope this post helped you gain some clarity into developing your writing style. Remember, it’ll take time and experimentation to develop your style but the important thing to do is take action and just write! Good luck!
Check out this for more ways to find your writing style!
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