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If only writing were as easy as many people think.

Part 3 is about voice.

What is voice in writing?

Writing voice is more than just setting down words; it is the verbs chosen, punctuation, grammar, and much more. A good place to begin is with The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.

Reading is also an integral part of developing your voice. Reading is not something to think about, it is a requirement to becoming a writer.

Choose an author to read, or read many different authors. See how they write. Choose one and begin writing by emulating them.

A caveat: Never plagiarize.

I only write original copy, but people have mentioned that they can tell whom my favorite author is by the way I write. When writing facts that may be on the Internet somewhere, I run my copy through Copyscape looking for zero percent found, and no websites listed. There are many plagiarism checkers available for writers to verify they haven’t copied any work.

It is a poor writer that must copy or resort to PLR  in my opinion. Write it in your own words.

Your writing voice should be as unique and individual as you are.

Writers should always use the active voice in their writing.

An example of an active sentence:

Subject    Action

James wrote a novel.

An example of a passive sentence:

Subject             Action

The novel was written by James.

The active voice, the subject (James) performs the action. In the passive voice, the subject (the novel) is being acted upon (was written) by James.

Aside from writing in active voice, writers need to use language to their advantage to engage, motivate,  educate, inform, or whatever the purpose of why they are writing what they are; albeit blog post, story, report, or even a letter to a friend.

Any chance to write is a chance to develop your voice further.

Writing is not the only thing needed to develop your writing voice. Holly Lisle has a good article about Ten Steps to Finding Your Writing Voice.

May you find your true writing voice.

In the next part of this series I will talk about tone.

Robert Medak

Freelance writer/Editor/Reviewer

Robert J Medak Writing & More

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