Finding Your Voice as a Writer

Some pieces of writing are like old friends. You read the first few lines and immediately know who penned them—it’s that familiar rhythm, that unmistakable spark of personality that gives it away. It’s the way certain phrases are turned, the sense of humor or earnestness threaded through, even the choice of punctuation. That’s what a writer’s voice is—it’s their fingerprint, left behind on every sentence.

For me, writing in my own voice means letting my thoughts spill over the page, sometimes quite literally. There are the phrases I add in brackets, the asides that may or may not have relevance to the main point, but that make me feel... well, me. It’s those extra bits of flavor that remind the reader that there’s someone on the other end of the words, connecting, sharing, thinking. I divide information in the way that feels natural, as if I’m guiding you through the story with my hand on your shoulder. It’s not just about putting words down—it’s about inviting the reader into my head, making them see and feel the way I do.

The Journey to Find Your Voice

Finding your authentic voice as a writer is a journey—and, let me tell you, it’s not a straightforward one. You’ll get lost along the way, and that’s fine. Most of us start by imitating others. We see something we admire and we try to recreate it—perhaps it’s the crisp professionalism of a business leader we respect, or the heart-on-your-sleeve style of a beloved author. We mimic, we borrow, we reshape. And this is where we begin to find what fits and what doesn’t.

Eventually, you start to hear your own voice peeking through. You’ll write something that makes you think—*yes, this sounds like me*. And those moments become more frequent until, finally, there’s a shift. Instead of trying to sound like someone else, you’re focused on being the most authentic version of yourself. That’s where the magic happens—when you stop thinking about how you should write, and simply write as you are.

But What Does “Your Voice” Actually Mean?

It’s not just about the words you choose—it’s the rhythm of your sentences, the details you include (or don’t). It’s about how you structure your ideas, the pauses you create for thought, the way you challenge, provoke, or reassure your reader. Voice is what makes someone pick up your writing and think, I know this author, before even glancing at the byline.

Your voice is your essence. It’s the personality you bring to the page. It’s the way you choose to reveal a truth, whether it’s through humor, poignancy, curiosity, or even raw honesty. Your voice is what makes your writing resonate—what makes readers feel they aren’t just consuming content, but engaging with a person.

Tips for Finding Your Authentic Voice

1. Write How You Speak (Mostly)

The best way to start finding your voice is to write as you speak. Imagine having a conversation with someone. How would you tell them this story? How would you explain this idea? Let that guide your writing—although, of course, you might want to clean up the rambling bits (unless those rambling bits are your thing).

2. Embrace the Quirks

Your voice is what makes you unique, so lean into your quirks. Maybe you use a lot of metaphors, or maybe you write in short, punchy sentences. Maybe you’re someone who can’t resist a parenthetical aside. Whatever it is that feels like you—embrace it.

3. Write Often, Experiment Always

Finding your voice is a practice, and like any skill, it gets better the more you do it. Experiment with different styles, different tones, and different formats. You’ll start to see patterns in what feels most authentic.

4. Reflect on What Resonates

Look back at pieces you’ve written. Which ones feel the most like you? Which ones flowed naturally, and which ones felt forced? Reflecting on these differences will help you better understand your authentic voice.

5. Be Honest

Authenticity in writing is about being honest—about what you’re feeling, about what you believe, about what you don’t know. Readers can tell when a writer is genuine, and they connect with that honesty. It’s okay to show vulnerability; it’s okay to admit when you’re still figuring things out.

The Beauty of Owning Your Voice

Once you’ve found your voice, you’ll notice how freeing it is. It’s like writing becomes less of a task and more of a dialogue—a conversation you’re having with your reader (or maybe with yourself). There’s something so satisfying about putting down words and knowing, without a doubt, that they are yours. It’s the same kind of feeling you get when you recognize someone’s handwriting or hear a familiar laugh in a crowded room. That’s what makes your writing stick—that’s what makes it memorable.

So, when you see an opinion piece in a newspaper and immediately know who wrote it, that’s because they’ve found it—their unmistakable, one-of-a-kind voice. And that’s what we’re all striving for, isn’t it? To be recognized by the rhythm of our words, to connect through the authenticity we share. Because in the end, the best writing doesn’t just communicate—it leaves a part of the writer behind, every single time.