Have you ever read something and just known who wrote it, even if their name wasn’t attached? That’s the power of a strong writing voice. It’s your unique watermark on the page – the way your personality, perspective, and way of seeing the world shine through your words.

But let’s be honest, sometimes it feels like we’re just mimicking others, or our writing sounds a bit… bland. We read authors we admire and wonder, “How do they do it?” The truth is, your voice isn’t something you create out of thin air; it’s something you uncover. It’s already there, waiting for you to let it loose.

Ready to stop sounding like everyone else and let your true writing self shine? Here are three ways to start uncovering your unique voice:

Read Like a Detective (and a Sponge)

This might sound counterintuitive, but reading widely is crucial for finding your own voice. It’s not about copying; it’s about expanding your palette and understanding what resonates with you.

• How to do it: Don’t just read for pleasure (though do plenty of that!). When you come across a piece of writing you love, pause. Analyze it. What specifically about the author’s style do you enjoy? Is it their humor, their sentence structure, their unique metaphors, their directness, their vulnerability? Make notes. Conversely, read things you don’t enjoy. What about that writing style turns you off? This helps you define what your voice isn’t.
• Why it works: By actively dissecting others’ writing, you become more aware of stylistic choices. This awareness helps you identify elements you might want to incorporate (in your own unique way!) and, more importantly, helps you recognize what feels authentic to you versus what feels forced. You’re absorbing possibilities, not prescriptions.

Embrace Your Inner Conversationalist (and Listen To Yourself)

Your writing voice is often closely tied to your speaking voice. How do you explain things to a friend? What phrases do you naturally use? Do you tend to be witty, earnest, sarcastic, concise, or enthusiastic?

• How to do it: Imagine you’re talking directly to your ideal reader. If you’re writing a blog post, picture explaining the concept to a friend over coffee. If it’s fiction, how would your character narrate this moment aloud? Try reading your writing aloud to yourself. Does it sound natural? Does it sound like you? You can even try “talking” your first draft into a voice recorder and then transcribing it.
• Why it works: When you speak, you’re less likely to overthink or censor yourself. You naturally use your rhythm, vocabulary, and unique turns of phrase. Bringing this natural conversational flow into your writing helps strip away formality and allows your genuine personality to emerge. It’s about writing as if you’re having a conversation, not delivering a lecture.

Write What You’re Passionate About (Even If It’s “Silly”)

Your voice is most authentic when you’re genuinely engaged with your subject matter. When you care deeply about what you’re writing, your personality naturally infuses the words.

• How to do it: Don’t just write what you think you should write. Write about what excites you, infuriates you, puzzles you, or makes you laugh. This could be a tiny observation, a strong opinion on a seemingly mundane topic, or a deep dive into a niche interest. Don’t worry about whether it’s “important” enough; if it sparks something in you, write about it.
• Why it works: Passion is contagious, and it lights up your writing. When you’re truly invested, your unique perspective, your quirks, and your genuine enthusiasm will naturally seep into your prose. This kind of writing feels alive and vibrant, and readers will connect with that authenticity far more than with perfectly structured but lifeless sentences.

Uncovering your unique writing voice isn’t a one-time event; it’s an ongoing process of self-discovery through consistent practice. So, experiment, play, and give yourself permission to sound like you. Your readers are waiting to hear it!