Developing Your Writing Style

For those of you who read my very long, first post about the history of what inspired me to start the-write-biz.com, I thought I would go ahead and layout some ideas you can use to nurture and develop your style of writing.

When you write, it is very different than when you speak. Oral communication is much more comfortable and easy because there are so many other attributes to speaking that help you to expressively communicate. We use body language and gestures, without even realizing it, which enables the listener to interpret and comprehend what we are communicating with depth, feeling and clarity. But with the written word, it is just that; written, no additional vibrancy or animation, gestures, vocal intonation or inflection and no body language. These are all rudiments in the art of oral communication and we all stand out at different levels. But even the most basic communications are enhanced by the characteristics we all possess when we speak.

We all talk, and we talk a lot, about 16,000 words per day. Needless to say we are pretty good at talking. Compare that to writing. When was the last time you wrote 16,000 words? Never…that’s what most would say, so, since we are all proficient talkers, we too can develop and grow to become capable writers with some creativity, practice and persistence.

One of my favorite ways to write is to write about something I love, which is one of the reasons I started the-write-biz.com. I love to write. What are you passionate about? What do you love? What are you an expert at? Think about this as every person in the whole wide world has something they enjoy or love or have a gift or talent for. When you discover what you are passionate about, start writing. Don’t worry about what it sounds like or what it looks like on paper. Just get your thoughts transcribed out of your mind and onto the paper.

One of the most important tools I used years ago to develop my writing was in a job I had as an administrative assistant. I worked for a man that was a very gifted speaker. As part of my job, I transcribed from a Dictaphone his letters, memorandums, correspondence and speeches. It was an invaluable tool for both him and me. He would speak into his recorder which allowed him to fluidly convey his thoughts and ideas directly and succinctly. I would transcribe and he would edit and re-edit until it was written exactly the way he intended it.

“The beautiful part of writing is that you don’t have to get it right the first time, unlike, say, a brain surgeon. You can always do it better, find the exact word, the apt phrase, the leaping simile.” — Robert Cormier

That quote by Robert Cormier is altogether relevant and germane to any style of writing you set your mind to composing.

So whatever your reason is for wanting to become a more seasoned writer, use tools that will help you. Practice writing down interesting observations you make throughout your daily life. There are infinite topics to read and write about. Find something that interests you and start writing. Keep a journal or diary. Invest in a thesaurus. Speak to people you admire who are gifted writers and speakers. Read. Read something interesting and challenging everyday to develop your skill. Make it a practice to learn one new word and use it throughout the day. Your brain is a muscle, the more you use it the better it’s going to serve you in whatever you desire to achieve.

This post was submitted to the Home Based Business Group Writing Project