7 Ways Writers and Speakers Can Find Their Exclusive Voice
7 Ways Writers and Speakers Can Find Their Exclusive Voice
It’s one of the best compliments I receive from readers. “I loved your book. I could hear you encouraging me as I read. It felt like we were talking over lunch.”
Unique. Transparent. Courageous. Kind. Genuine. Fresh. Today’s most popular writing and speaking voices are often identified by these descriptors. But how do you tap into the exclusive inflections that showcase your authentic self on the page or the stage?
While watching my nine-month-old granddaughter amuse herself by practicing her newly discovered babble, I thought about a writer’s struggle to speak on paper and a speaker’s challenge to set themselves apart. In the infancy of our career, we could learn a lot from babies about speaking in an identifiable way. And if we relax and learn to amuse ourselves in the process, we’ll likely find our voice faster.
Most of us need help understanding how to share our voice. But if you follow the seven steps listed below, I can assure you, very soon, you’ll relax into the thrill of conversational-style writing or speaking.
- When writing or speaking, imagine you are talking to your best friend, parent, sibling, spouse, or child. Someone you wouldn’t hold back with. More than once, I’ve ridden to and from speaker’s and writer’s conferences with my friends, Kathryn Graves and Karen Jordan. One of the things I love about their books, Fashioned by God and Words That Change Everything, is their transparent way of writing. You can hear each of their unique voices in their books. Like me, they often envision a specific person when penning a book or article.
- Imagine your ideal reader or audience member. Then write or speak to them, and only them. Writing expert, Jeff Goins says, “My ideal reader is smart. He has a sense of humor, a short attention span, and is pretty savvy when it comes to technology and pop culture. He’s sarcastic and fun, but doesn’t like to waste time. And he loves pizza.” What are your ideal person’s likes or dislikes? Imagine and speak to that.
- Ask yourself, What do I like to read or hear? Spend some time looking closely at the books, articles, and blogs you are drawn to. What kind of speakers draw and keep your attention? What are their similarities and differences? What are their personalities? You can pick up clues that fit your natural bent by doing this kind of mental research.
- Review your recent writing and ask yourself, Is this how I talk? If possible, review video or audio of you speaking and ask yourself, Do I sound both natural and professional?
- Poll some of your readers and previous audiences. Ask them, “What does my voice sound like to you? What stands out?” (Keep your questions open ended—this may lead to some surprising answers.) List the answers you receive, and ask yourself, Are they hearing the real me through my words?
- Don’t start your presentation notes/page/chapter by thinking about speaking publicly or writing for publication. At first, simply write it for yourself. Free-write without pressure or hindrance—you can always trash your early drafts or simply refine them. But for now, allow your mind to run unfettered and your fingers to type unbound. The gems that shine through your free expression may surprise you. This exercise will lend to freshness in your voice.
- Ask yourself, If I knew I had thirty days to live, is the message I’m sharing coming through in its purest state? Is this what I would want to say to the world through my last breaths, and how I would want to express it?
Removing our masks takes intentional effort. When I wrote Getting Through What You Can’t Get Over, I left puddles of emotional blood on many pages. However, I knew readers needed me to do it.
The most impacting creatives reach into their own souls to thrust their true selves onto the page and stage. But when we do, the people we are speaking to feel like they know us personally and want to draw nearer. Loyal fans are engaged when they can recognize our projects, without seeing our names.
Can you hear my writing voice in this article? How have you learned to write or speak from your authentic voice?
by Anita Agers-Brooks
