Developing Your Writing Style

By georgelthomas on 25 Jul 2023 • ( 7 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today I am talking about writing style and, more specifically, how you can develop yours.

Developing Your Writing Style

As a writer, one of the most fundamental aspects of your craft is developing your unique writing style. While there are many different techniques and strategies that writers can employ in their writing, it is through your style that you can establish your own distinctive voice, build a connection with your readers, and, ultimately, set yourself apart from other writers in your niche.

What is Writing style?

Writing style is the unique way in which an author chooses to express themselves. It includes things like word choice, sentence structure, and overall tone. Every writer has a unique writing style, and there are no strict rules for how it should be developed.

How to Develop Your Own Style

When you begin to develop your writing style, one of the most critical steps is to read widely. By immersing yourself in a wide range of literature within your chosen genre and beyond, you can better understand various approaches, structures, and techniques writers use to craft compelling stories and prose.

In addition to reading, it is essential to keep a consistent writing practice. The more you write, the better you will get at expressing yourself through language and the more confident you will become in experimenting with new styles and structures. Furthermore, regular writing will help you identify patterns and tendencies in your work that can inform future stylistic decisions.

As you develop your writing style, watch out for specific techniques and elements contributing to your overall tone and aesthetic. For example, do you tend to write in short, punchy sentences or prefer longer more complex structures? Do you favour vivid imagery and sensory detail, or are your descriptions more sparse and minimalist?

By examining these elements and understanding how they shape your writing style, you can make intentional choices about the components you want to highlight or downplay in your work.

Finally, it is vital to remember that developing your writing style can not be accomplished overnight; it’s an ongoing process. As you grow and evolve as a writer, your style will naturally change and adapt, and what works for you now may not be the same as what works for you in a year or five years.

Ultimately, the key to developing your writing style is staying true to your unique voice while being open to growth and experimentation. Whether you are a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the craft, taking the time to cultivate your own distinct style is essential to making your mark as a writer.

Just as an aside, if you are looking for opportunities to put your writing skills to use, platforms like Jooble offer numerous online part-time jobs that allow you to work comfortably from home. Exploring these opportunities can help you gain practical experience, build your portfolio, and refine your style in a professional setting.

Here are some examples of well-known writers and their unique writing styles:

William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare has a unique writing style filled with poetic language, rich metaphors, and teeming with complex emotions. Considered to be one of the greatest writers in the English language, he is known for creating complex characters and elaborate plots.

Toni Morrison

Morrison’s writing is known for its lyrical quality. She explores themes such as race, gender, and identity. Her novels often use non-linear storytelling and unconventional narrative techniques to explore complex social issues.

Ernest Hemingway

Hemmingway is known for his minimalist style. His writing is characterised by short, simple sentences and his focus on the “Iceberg theory,” where much of what is going on in the story is left unsaid – just like how most of the iceberg is unseen beneath the surface.

His writing is simple, concise, and direct – a stark contrast to the complex and ornate language often used in literature of the time.

Jane Austen

Austen’s writing is known for its witty social commentary. Her prose is elegant, and her characters are well-rounded and complex. Her novels are characterised by their focus on romance and marriage, along with her use of irony and understatement.

Virginia Woolf

Woolf had a unique approach to writing that focused on her characters’ inner lives and stream-of-consciousness. Her style was characterised by employing free indirect speech – a technique allowing her characters to express their inner thoughts and emotions – even if they clash with their outer actions.

Well, that’s it for now! I hope you enjoyed this post and that you learned something!

Until next time,

George