I hope you had time to read through all the pages you’ve been working on this month. It might be the weekend and a little late in the afternoon but that doesn’t mean our prep work is done. We are still on day #22.
A longer amount of time to work on your stories mean that it’s time to think about our voice as a writer. As we write, pieces of ourselves go into the pages whether we realize it or not. You want strong characters and an even stronger reason why you’re writing your story but I want you think of yourself as a writer who writes more than one book.
Some may argue against this and it’s their own choice but I like reading novels of writers who have their own signature, or recognizable voice. I’m not talking cookie cutter stories, or predictable. I’m talking about something deeper.
Developing your own style or voice as a writer is one of the most challenging things to do as a writer. How can you write a good story and not lose yourself in the process? How do other writers accomplish this?
You could go the route of writing cookie cutter stories and hire a writing team to push out more books than humanly possible and lose some originality along the way. Some writers may think you’re giving away a piece of your soul in doing this but here’s the thing it’s your choice.
Think about having a collection of books all typed with your name on the cover. Is there a reason fans pick up your book over and over again? Are you one of those authors who writes for the underdog hero? An femme fatale? Or anti-hero? Is there something that could even make a collection? A running theme inside a good story?
I guess what I’m trying to say is that you shouldn’t stress over being the most original writer out there. It’s okay to be known for something besides a good story.
I’m not pushing anyone to use this in their books but I have to admit that I stopped buying the books of some writers when their style changed. It was like someone else was writing their stories and the reason I started reading them was gone. Pages turned empty and the magic was gone.
Personally, I like twists and turns but if I feel a collection lost it’s soul I’m not going to keep reading. You are the reason people started reading your books, so don’t lose that part.
I’m not saying you shouldn’t challenge yourself, or be afraid to go in a new direction but expect that some fans might not follow. And that’s okay. New readers will come along. Just make sure you put a little of yourself in your new style too. I guess what I’m trying to say is that we can feel when writers lose their inspiration on the pages. Readers senes the magnificent moments when everything comes together too. Trying to make that all balance is the true challenge.
Think deeper about who you are as a writer and what you want to say. Know why you’re writing your story. Readers will feel your passion.
My posts are Monday through Friday.
Imagine Inspire Create: 52 Weeks of action and gratitude is available at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S6XCLFY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_Q7MHM9CFBSASDG56YMJQ
Get closer to your writing goals with my Writer’s Journal filled with writing prompts and exercises. You can find a copy at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0931QRL7C/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_VTHN0QSHXRYK6RJ1XSWQ.
Writer's Block Inc 