In a recent comment on the “I Shoulda” post, Miss Becky of Shaking Your Tree brought up the topic of finding our blogging voice. In part she said,
I too had difficulties finding my blogging voice, and still have trouble deciding how much of my personal life to share. I closed all my social networking accounts because I felt it was sharing too much and I was giving away a part of myself in the process. So…it is still a struggle, but it’s getting easier.
What she said about having difficulties finding her blogging voice is very common.
When we blog we often walk a fine line wondering not only if we should voice our opinions, but how.
We can look to others and see what they’re doing and try to mimic them.
But we’re not them.
We’re us.
Today’s Lesson
Prior to starting my blogs, I took note of what other bloggers were doing. Many of them wrote strictly by the letter, so to speak. Their posts were informational. Not too personal. In fact, you might say they were on the “dry” side.
Others appeared more boisterous and opinionated. Curse words were often sprinkled in their posts and comment sections, too.
And there were those who threw caution to the wind and aired their dirty laundry, not leaving anything to the imagination.
Uncertain what to do, I tried writing in first person and wrote fiction.
I tried humor. Poetry. Flowery words. And even tried to be controversial.
But none of that worked for me. Or at least, not for long.
Blogging fell into place for me when I decided to write like I talk.
Write as if I was conducting a class for bloggers. Dishing out short lessons and sitting back to hear your answers.
Being a listener in real life, this works well for me.
I get to share what I’ve learned and I benefit from learning from your response.
How I blog may not work for others, but it makes me feel authentic.
And being authentic is what I think “finding your blogging voice” really is.
What about you?
Today’s Assignment
How did you find your blogging voice?
Do you write the same or differently than how you talk?
Care to share?
~Barbara
I started out trying different voices too, and like you did, eventually I just decided to write the way I talk. That’s still the most natural.
But even that, there are a few different ways I talk.
Sometimes I am talking to a friend. So that’s me talking to one person.
Sometimes I am just talking out loud to myself. It’s just one long stream of thoughts that sometimes go off in tangents.
Sometimes I am talking as if I am on stage speaking to a bunch of people. The order that things are presented can be somewhat crafted, so I have jokes to keep it going and perhaps a surprise at some point.
Even if I write the way I talk, the voice can still change because the way I talk tends to change.
Hi Kelvin,
That’s a good point how we do have different voices depending on whom we’re talking to, but even then, it’s still “us” and I think we stay authentic.
Hi Barbara
Notice you say…
“Their posts were informational. Not too personal. In fact, you might say they were on the “dry” side.”
Guess that’s how most of us start out, giving out lots and lots of information. I know that I did.
These days I try and give out information but in a conversational style – as I would if giving a speech.
To lighten the burden of the information I add images, a few humorous asides and try and keep things light.
I share very little, if anything, about myself unless it adds to the content of the post. I don’t Twitter or Facebook but that’s just me.
I Found my blogging voice by realising that writing a blog post was very similar to writing a speech. Directed to the audience, and conversational in style.
No big words, no preaching and no telling the world how important you are.
A post should have a purpose but it must be enjoyable to read or look at or listen to.
Hi Keith,
That’s a great way to look at writing a post; as if we were giving a speech. Like you said, we shouldn’t sound preachy or egotistical. If we remind ourselves who our audience is, the process should be fairly simple.
Hi Barbara – Like you and Kelvin, I wanted to write in my authentic voice. But, as Kelvin points out, the ways we talk depending upon the circumstances can be different. When I’m editing, I read the post out loud. This helps with run-on sentences – if I’m out of breath before I finish, the sentence is too long. Also, if words are difficult to pronounce chances are they’d be difficult to understand. Can’t help using some great words anyway. 🙂
I’ve used this read-aloud trick when co-editing with clients to help them find their authentic voice as well. I read what they’ve written to them in a conversational tone. Seems to improve flow, cut down on awkward transitioning and in general, allow for personality.
Hi Betsy,
I like your idea of reading a post out loud. Like you said, it lets us know if our sentences are too long, and if it’s in a conversational tone.
P.S. I know. You LOVE words. 🙂
On one of my blogs I write like I talk. I just write about whatever pops in my head and what I think about stuff. It is pretty personal and I have fun with it.
Another blog has a “mission” so I write with care to be “proper”. I am still transparent with my thoughts but with more consideration. Not as much fun, more work, but very rewarding.
Hi Patricia,
I agree. When we write like we talk it makes blogging a lot more fun.
And you’re right. Some blogs do require us to be more proper.
Almost always…writing how one talks makes uncovering your unique blogging voice much easier indeed.
When you think about – your own personal style really is the only thing that cannot be duplicated exactly online (just about everything else can!). So it just makes sense to take advantage of it.
Hi Barbara,
That’s very true. No one else has the same “voice” as we do, so like you said, let’s use that to our advantage. 🙂
Hi Barbara,
I don’t think I’ve found my blogging voice yet, so I just write the way I talk and express my thoughts and opinions. Sometimes people like it, sometimes I’ve found lots of disagreement, but I guess that’s part of blogging, and part of the growing process.
When it comes to share personal information I try to go by the minimum needed, as more people over forty does 🙂 And definitely not subscribed to any social media system, like Facebook or Twitter since, in my opinion, their networking programs, although very good to “spread the name and the word”, at the same time destroy the concept of “personal circle” (maybe I’m too old fashioned and still insist in the difference between friends and acquaintances)
Raul
Hi Raul,
You’ve brought up a good point. Sometimes our blogging voice can cause disagreements. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but if we see that happening we do need to be ready to defend our beliefs. As you mentioned, it is part of the growing process, and the writing process, as well.
True. Social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are good for getting our name out there, but there can be a cost to that, too.
I always teach my customers – just be yourself. Blogging is all about letting your personality shine. There is plenty of news sources out there already – people read your blog because they are interested in your opinion on subject, your take on specific events.
Hi Alex,
You’re right. People do read our blogs because they are interested in what WE have to say, thus we shouldn’t write what we think others want to hear,
Hi Barb! Interesting that Ms. Becky closed down her “social” accounts since I was just talking to someone the other day about that. Maybe it’s my age, I don’t know, but I am often blown away with the level of personal sharing – even a blogger who had all kinds of complicated marital stuff going on just put it ALL out there. I share a lot of thoughts, beliefs and research but not much personal at all.
As for voice, I write so much like I talk and I think a lot of that has to do with my journaling daily too. Whatever pops (or poops!) into my head! 🙂 Lately, as you know, I’m totally health related. The more misleading and erroneous information out there (thanks media!) the more topics I have to try and set the record straight based on science and not marketing! It is criminal what Big Ag and Pharma lie about! And most people don’t realize this at all, trusting the government to protect us.
Before I go “off” let me simply say I think finding your passion and running with it develops a voice automatically. Care about something and write about it. Keep your personal dirty laundry in the washateria!
hugs
suZen
Hi Suzen,
I see that too; where some people don’t hesitate to share their entire life online, with no thought of potential consequences.
You’ve raised a good point. When we’re passionate about a topic, it is much easier to not only blog about it, but as you mentioned, our blogging voice emerges naturally.
P.S. I commend you for taking on health issues, setting the record straight and teaching your readers to be their own best advocate. Your passion for the topic shines through.
Hey Barbara,
Someone’s blogging voice is their own fingerprint that no one can duplicate even when writing about the same topic. I am thankful that when I first started blogging I had some family members take a look at my work, and they thought that it didn’t sound like me at all, and that I was trying to write in the voice of an Ivy League scholar. She (my sister-in-law) said that I should just write as I speak. That prompted a change of the blog altogether, but it was for the best. Even when I revamped everything I realized that my writing changes over time, and that with practice writing becomes easier over time, and before you know it, it’s not really an issue at all.
Hi John,
That’s right. Our blogging voice is like a fingerprint – individual to each of us.
I like your idea of having family or friends read what we’ve written to see if it sounds like us. With them knowing us so well, they’re the best ones to ask if what we’re sharing appears authentic.
I basically also write as if I am talking to a friend. Which means I don’t use complex words, or sentences, and it may not even be grammatically correct, but it’s the only way I can be authentic.
Hi Dr. Natura,
I know what you’re saying. If we were to have someone edit our writing, they could easily find errors, however if correcting those errors were to change “our voice”, then we’re no longer being authentic.
Love the post, a great realization for those who are new in the blogging world. I found my voice through all the inspirations I get from my surroundings, I am more of a writer than a speaker so it kind of an advantage when I do blogs. I also feel that interacting with others will build that confidence and help us gain more of what we can do in blogging.
Thank you Allie,
Yes. Interacting via comments can be beneficial to us in all phases of blogging, and like you said, will build our confidence.
I really didn’t worry about it on my personal blog. I just voiced my opinion and realized not every one would agree with it and that was ok.
Hi Rose,
Hopefully all new bloggers learn that; not everyone will agree with us. That said, we can learn a lot from others too, even if it’s a spirited discussion.
This is what blogging is all about, you can voice what you want to voice out. Personal or in social means. I blog what I could help. It still who you are, cause it does have a personal touch. Barbara is right you need to be authentic.
Hi Gladys,
Exactly. Blogging IS about voicing what we believe. Even if we’re doing a book review or rating a product, it comes down to the fact we’re writing how we perceive things.
It takes time. I have pretty much found mine, and it is decidedly a little detached – I am warmer and more open in real life, but on the Internet the audience is vast and out of my control and I must take that into account.
Hi Vered,
I agree. Finding our voice does take time.
And yes. Many of us may be “warmer” and more open in real life, however via writing, sometimes that’s hard to project, or…. we may not want to share that side of ourselves.
I think that people spend way too much time worrying about how other people write, and how their own blogs compare- at the end of the day, blogging is about finding your OWN artistic voice (and if you have a desire to blog, you must have one). I try not to worry so much about the readers (which I know sounds totally backwards) and just write what’s in my head or my heart.
Hi Michael,
That doesn’t sound backwards to me at all. Like you said, if we worry about how others “see” us, it could stifle our writing, whereas like you do, you just write and those who find you will automatically know you’re being authentic.
I found one aspect of my blogging voice by discovering an ‘audience’ I resonated with. It gave me clarity of purpose when I knew who I was writing for. Although I’ve been writing since I was four years old, my online writing began on a membership forum. Every day I’d find myself supporting other coaches going for certification, and I enjoyed sharing insights I knew would help them. I’ve always been a lifelong learner, and one of the best ways of learning is by passing on what we know and what we’re passionate about. I tended to do that by filtering ‘universals’ through my own daily experiences. I only wrote when I felt I had something authentic worth saying, or was sure of my ‘facts’, or when I felt had something that might help make someone’s day or life better in some way. That’s how I got offered the column in a coaching newsletter. It was a natural extension.
I then found my ‘blogging’ voice through commenting on other folks’ blogs for months, getting a feel for things before I even launched my own blog. However, after a year of intensive blogging and commenting, I eventually gave myself virtual laryingitis by talking too much and too often.
Before I went cyber-silent, I developed my writer’s voice by giving myself permission to be as authentic and lyrical as I like. As you know, Barbara, I’m a singer as well as a writer and a poetic Scot, so trying to squash lyricism has never worked for me! I just trust my instincts and my inner ear. Luckily, I also love a bit of brutal self editing, too, or things would be much worse!
Hi Janice,
First, it’s wonderful to see you here again. I’ve missed you and your well thought out comments.
Thank you for sharing how you found your voice. By reading your comment, it sounds like a variety of instances blended together to help you find online authenticity.
That’s true what you said about commenting, too. If we’re not writing a blog, we can share our voice via comments. What I find interesting about that is most bloggers “sound” the same on their blog as they do in comment sections.
P.S. I just read your latest post. My heart and prayers go out to you as you mourn the loss of your friend Maria. ((hugs))
Hi Janice .. it’s good to see you here .. and I’m so pleased I clicked over – because even though you’ve closed the comments your latest post really reflects your blog “Sharing the Journey” – it is a wonderful piece and I hope will be read by many.
Please read Janice’s post … should you see this comment – it’s so well worth reading.
Thanks Janice & good to see you here at Barbara’s ..
I hope you can have a good 2011 .. be at peace and enjoy life .. as you both do .. Hilary
I wanted my blog to be about talking and I use a lot of … ‘s to pause the conversation, which seems to be irritating to other writer’s these days.
I have spent 38 years of my life writing weekly formal speeches, lectures, and papers and I did not want that on the blog.
I have graded a lot of papers and prefer folks to pay someone to do that these days – it is good work (I also had to pay to have all my graduate papers edited and typed for 4 years and think it is a skill that some folks excel at and more folks should avail themselves of those services)
I read a blog post today that was full of such horrible research and ideas it was overwhelming and confusing – I took a deep breath and just told myself this person has been fed a lifetime of lies back off, they are doing the best that they are able to do. it is their blog and their voice.
I do not like the competitiveness and am not good at it from my own stand point. I read every word of someone’s writing and attempt to make well thought out comments and think that maybe my most important function as a blogger.
I am deeply saddened by the death of the Congresswoman in Arizona today, because I think one needs to be responsible to their voice, words and rhetoric and just because someone who is mentally ill pulls the trigger and explodes does not mean that the public words did not insight. Blogger s need to be aware that folks are reading what they say and many are listening and some will act
Self-control and response ability are huge dynamics in a freedom/individualistic promoting society.
Timely words here.
Thank you Patricia,
I know what you’re saying. When we write/wrote professionally, we certainly don’t want spend our blogging time doing the same. We want to be able to be ourselves and hopefully be heard for who we are as an individual and not as a business professional (unless that’s what we’re blogging about).
Like you, I am also saddened by the shooting in Arizona. As I listened to the news it made me think of how what we share online can not only haunt us, but can affect the lives of others, as well. All the more reason to blog responsibly.
Hi Barbara, I have always written how I speak. It worked for me when I was younger so I just kept doing it! It helps when you get compliments about your writing style, as I did. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it! I also find a blog seems more personal when the author includes a photo. Quite a lot of bloggers don’t, and neither do they tell you who they are or where they are from. Just those basic details make a blog feel much more friendly to me.
Happy New Year to you.
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Happy New Year to you too, Mandy,
Good line: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! 🙂
I like what you said about having a photo of the blog author on the blog. It’s like we can put a face to their blogging voice and like you said, can make a blog feel more friendly.
Appreciated the overview of what you discovered – it represents my findings all these years later, Barbara.
Upon meeting an editor/neighbour, she asked me if my blog was “domestic”. What was that? A blog that was about your day to day life, she explained, adding it was just her jargon.
No, my blog is not domestic.
I love to learn and I love stories. When I can verbally paint a profound insight in a story, I feel my writing’s purpose has been met. Sometimes that means exposing myself to some degree, but I prize privacy highly.
On the other hand, I enjoy veering off on some tangent and having a little fun.
It’s great to share a bit of who I am with my readers, but apropos to the topic of the blog. I cannot believe my readers want to know I have dirty dishes in the sink.
Thank goodness you love helping bloggers. You do such a great job.
Thank you Amy,
I hear you. Sometimes we do need to share a little of who we are so our readers feel closer to us, whereas other times we can use a different writing technique, mix it up and like you said, have fun.
Reading your comment reminds me, I need to do a few dishes. 🙂
Hi Barbara .. I think I do that – I’m authentic, I write about what amuses me and I hope entertains. When I started it was too formal so I relaxed and I’ve made the posts personal .. especially with the Dear Mr Postman at the end .. giving a little insight into how my mother is etc. This without me realising it gives me two strings to my bow – the blog and the experience of hospitals, strokes, looking after the elderly etc ..
You have certainly found your voice and it’s a pleasure to have you back .. have a wonderful 2011 – cheers Hilary
Happy 2011 to you Hilary,
I LOVE your “Dear Mr Postman” footnote. In fact, when I don’t have time to read your whole post and comment, I make sure I catch up on what’s new with your mum.
On that note, ((hugs)) to the both of you.
Hi Barbara … thanks so much .. lovely to have your comment today when I’ve just got back from Cornwall .. went yesterday .. to collect last lot of things from Mum’s flat – sad times .. but such is life. A new chapter .. not for Mr Postman – just yet! Yes – he seems to be a good captcha!!
Thanks – Mum had a lovely visit with Janice today – .. our ‘healing’ spiritual lady, who’s been with us for 3 years+ now?! since Mum got moved down from London. I just make sure she’s got two visits a day ..
& on that note .. I too will give you big hug via the global connection .. and ‘see you’ very soon .. cheers Hilary
Hello Barbara – I did an unorthodox exercise to help me find my writing voice in general. I tape recorded a couple of my ramblings then transcribed the recordings which gave me insight into the nuances in my tone.
Hi Tyson,
That’s a fabulous idea. By taping yourself, you not only found “the wording”, but the “tone”, as well. What a great way to be authentic.
I suppose, when I talk, I tend to dial down the vocabulary. However, when writing, I love to craft my words into little sculptures of the tongue! There are combinations of words and phrases that are like music when read aloud. I love listening to song lyrics for inspiration. I don’t condone using explicit language in writing. There are so many other ways to get the point across. Just like in a conversation. If you are yelling and shouting using curse words, one is not likely to listen to your point. However, if you keep your cool and debate properly with the right tone, your point has been made : )
Hi Jasmine,
I see what you do as a real talent and have read blog posts which are written in the manner you describe – it’s like reading a page turner novel where you hang on every word.
I like your idea of using song lyrics as inspiration for wording. Songwriters are another group of talented writers who often go unnoticed.
Hi Barbra,Great post :).
Blogging is all about being YOU and I love it because of its friendly tone. Being a self-proclaimed free spirit, I hate formality!
Blogging is the best medium that allowed me to shine like a pro and still be me. I inspire, educate, learn, share and have fun in the process. Learning and teaching became so easy and enjoyable :).
When avid garious readers give comments like I love your “spark” or “energy”, I realized that I have found my blogging voice because people that I meet face-to-face tell me the exact same words :).
So, I guess writing the same way as you speak is a great blogging tip and thank you so much for sharing it :).
Have a blast of year everyone :).
Thank you Garious,
Yes. Blogging is all about being US. Like you said, you’ve written like you speak and not only in person but online, people are reacting the same. That’s when you know your authenticity is shining through. 🙂
At last ! Eureka… Your nonblog is a blessing for a new blogger like me. I am excited by this new adventure but a bit lost. I read your precious posts for more than an hour and is now more confident with my blooging attitude. I will visit often (what a good girl!) and congratulate you for your great insight .
Au revoir Barbara, (yes I am one of those bloggers you mentionned, which english isn’t their first language0
Thank you Catherine,
Welcome to blogosphere and to Blogging Without A Blog.
I’m happy to hear what I’ve shared has helped you on your blogging journey. If you ever have a question, you know where to find me. 🙂
P.S. I clicked over to your blog. Your photographs are gorgeous.
This is probably the hardest part about blogging for me – finding my “voice”. I start out with so many ideas but as soon as I get into it, I find that my posts share too much information. I get paranoid that someday, that info could be used against me and I shut my blog down. I’ve done this about 3 times now. Needless to say, I have yet to find my voice. Maybe dry and informational is the way for me.
Hi Kylie,
It can be difficult to find our blogging voice, especially when we’re new to blogging and we don’t know who our audience will be and we feel we’re “talking” into empty space.
As for getting paranoid about what we share, that’s common. However, if we ask ourselves, “do I care if the whole world knows this?” and the answer is “Yes”, than it’s best not to hit the publish button.
That said, there’s nothing wrong with dry and informational. 🙂
I tend to write like I’m talking to my best friend. I have been told by readers that I appear to write from the heart, that it sounds genuine. To me, that is the greatest compliment. I also read my blog out loud before posting it to make sure it “sounds” right.
I totally agree, I write my blog in a way as I converse with my buddy! I always see to it that the language is lucid and too to the point. Sometimes excess & unwanted information can drive your audience away. I try to provide as much data as possible on the said subject/theme. This proves to be very helpful to them as they don’t have to search additional resources then.
This is something we need to discover. We just started blogging for our company and articles like this inspired us to do better.
Thanks for sharing and keep on sharing the love for blogging. 🙂