Appalachian Mountains – Almost An Author

Find Your Writer’s Voice Through Blogging

I enjoy blogging about the Appalachian mountains where I live. My blog speaks to the traditions, faith, lifestyle, and character of the Appalachian people.

My heart pitter-pats when describing a snowy day while walking along a mountain path, conveying the inviting smell of a cast-iron skillet of cornbread or sharing the shades of coral and blue of a sunset over a mountain peak. I also love sharing stories of mountain characters that live in the hollows around me.

After reading past posts of my blog I realized my blog is where my writer’s voice blossomed. In post after post I saw my voice grow, not only clearer, but also stronger.

I choose to use first person tone in my storytelling throughout my blog thus allowing me to create a bond with my readers. Using first person tone allows me to infuse my personality, observations, and my experiences within the posts. This cozy type of blogging voice transferred onto the pages of my Appalachian novella.

“One reason I encourage people to blog is that the act of doing it stretches your available vocabulary and hones a new voice.” Seth Godin

I agree with Seth Godin; blogging can help hone a new voice, or as in my case, further develop a voice.

Do you blog? If so, set aside time to read over past posts. Watch for the ways you see your voice growing. If not, you may want to consider this popular communication tool. Who knows, your writer’s voice might emerge from your blog posts.

“The best way to develop your writer’s voice is to read a lot. And write a lot. There’s really no other way to do it.” Stephen King.

Writing a blog demands discipline in forming content, and out of content, comes the

Writer’s Voice Questions Answered for 2016

I’ve received several questions concerning how one recognizes their writer’s voice. For those of you who discovered your voice early on, it’s hard to understand why others struggle with this issue. To those who are still wandering in the writer’s desert, seemingly voiceless, it is indeed frustrating.

So let’s start this New Year off by addressing a few of these questions:

What is the first thing to do when searching for my writer’s voice? Since starting this column I’ve offered many tips on this subject. Some of you have written to me saying your voice was much clearer after reading through my suggestions. Others said your voice is still illusive. My answer for you is to write, write, write, then read, read, read! Read what you’ve written, out loud, and listen to the tone of the pieces. Your voice will be recognizable after reading and comparing numerous pieces of your work. You will hear yourself coming through the words; the essence of you, and that is your voice.

How can I be sure I’m using my voice and not someone else that I have patterned? I believe we read the authors whose writing we enjoy, and in doing so, we often pattern ourselves after them, at least somewhat, with our first attempts. As you settle into your writing style your unique voice will emerge. I read a lot of authors whose books were set in the Appalachian Mountains where most of my stories are birthed. My voice developed a flavor of its own with just a soft coloring from those favorite writers.

Does my voice change when I write in different genres? When writing fiction, my voice shines through loud and clear. In other genres I still hear hints of my style. I am sure if I were to write technical articles my voice would be shelved…a reader would not care to hear my warm and fuzzy discussions of, lets say, heating units.

Will someone else be able to tell me my voice? Other writers will often hear your voice in your work. Asking them to share their thoughts on your voice could be a great help, especially if you ask several people and their opinions are similar.

Please share your questions on discovering your writers voice in the comment section below. We will address these as time permits.

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.”

Edith Lovejoy Pierce

I wish you a happy New Year filled with wonderful writing opportunities.