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How Do I Find My Writing Style?
Learn the difference between style and voice — and use them both
Sometimes people confuse style with voice when it comes to writing. Are they the same? Or are they different? Does it matter?
First, let’s look at what each term really means.
Style
Style is the way you do something. It’s often governed by rules and expectations. Check your favorite genre and you’ll soon see what they are.
There is another aspect of style that is worth noting. When you see new styles in clothing or cars, you see each manufacturer makes their offering distinctive. In other words, they want their creations to stand out.
When you see a car, you probably know what brand it is, by how it looks.
Style is a two-sided coin. On one side is the rules; on the other is freedom of expression.
How to Express Style
Following the rules is the easy part.
Breaking the right rules takes guts. You’ll have to experiment a bit to see what works and what doesn’t. For example, if all the writing in your genre is long-winded, make your articles short and to the point. If others lay on facts like a blanket, showcase your data in a story.
