Like clothing, when you write, you must find your style. Some writers are direct and go right to the point. Flamboyance suits others. Still others want to take time to explain what they have to say and make sure the reader follows their direction. Regardless of your personal style, find your voice.
That takes some time. When you write in a business (or creative, for that matter) environment, finding what expresses your messages most accurately is something that develops with practice and routine. Do not expect to make an immediate splash.
Explore different forums. Submit short stories. Try poetry. Write a guest editorial and see if you can get it published. Each of these encourages you to express your thoughts in a different way.
One of the best exercises I was ever given occurred in college when a professor assigned us an editorial, then mandated we take the opposite position of what we believed. Talk about a tough assignment! But it also challenged all the students. We had to think differently, examine all our assumptions and defend the new position. That type of exercise solidifies your voice, but also gives you perspective, a very important lesson in writing well.
When you find what makes you comfortable, write from that strength. At the same time, learn from exploring writing forums that test your comfort zone. Expanding from that core helps you continually refine your voice. That’s what it takes to grow your readership.
That takes some time. When you write in a business (or creative, for that matter) environment, finding what expresses your messages most accurately is something that develops with practice and routine. Do not expect to make an immediate splash.
Explore different forums. Submit short stories. Try poetry. Write a guest editorial and see if you can get it published. Each of these encourages you to express your thoughts in a different way.
One of the best exercises I was ever given occurred in college when a professor assigned us an editorial, then mandated we take the opposite position of what we believed. Talk about a tough assignment! But it also challenged all the students. We had to think differently, examine all our assumptions and defend the new position. That type of exercise solidifies your voice, but also gives you perspective, a very important lesson in writing well.
When you find what makes you comfortable, write from that strength. At the same time, learn from exploring writing forums that test your comfort zone. Expanding from that core helps you continually refine your voice. That’s what it takes to grow your readership.
