Write like you speak is one of the most foundational component of engaging nonfiction writing. For many emerging writers, though, this is a challenge.
When readers talk about a writer’s “voice,” they’re talking about a host of things: syntax, word choice, metaphors, perspective, sentence structure, pacing, tone, themes and motifs. Finding your authentic voice as a writer takes time and experience; it doesn’t just appear on the page right away.
Fiction writers can create a voice, or play with different voices, but as a nonfiction writer, your writing should sound like you. Your vocabulary, your cadence, your syntax, your dialect. Your verbal idiosyncrasies. Friends and colleagues should be able to hear your voice in their heads as they read. Communication is a relationship, and to develop an authentic relationship with your reader, your writing—like your speech—should convey not only your perspective, but also a bit of your personality.
For many people who aren’t professional writers, though, this is a huge struggle. They may be eloquent, authoritative and passionate verbally, yet when they try to capture their voice in writing, they come across as stilted and awkward. That’s okay. Writing and speaking are different skills, and everyone who has ever set pen to paper has had to navigate that difference.
Part of the challenge is that, when we move communication to the page, a whole bunch of contextual signals are lost.
Writing vs. Talking
The speaking voice carries thousands of pieces of information that aren’t available to people reading the written word. Facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, even the verbal pacing of a sentence, or how you draw out vowels in the middle of a given word—all give clues about a speaker’s intent, personality and perspective. None of those are visible on the page. Instead, in writing, readers subconsciously get a sense of who you are, from dozens of verbal microexpressions…
Click to continue reading on the Resonant Storytelling Substack
Great tips Sarah, and you model what you are teaching, so well. I felt as if you were talking to me. I know people who struggle with this issue, and will share your post with them.
I like this bit especially: ‘Most of us, when we speak, don’t stop to think about each word as it comes out of our mouth, yet often people will try to write that way—one word after another wrenched from the brain. Which is pretty much a recipe for bad writing, not to mention an excruciating process.’
Yes, Yes! You’ve nailed it here. I really feel for people who find writing so painful.
Fortunately I can hear myself as I write, and once it’s on the page I like to read the words aloud, as you suggest. Recording and transcribing feels laborious to me, but I know it really works for some people. My son records as he drives his car, or whenever inspiration strikes.
Thanks for a very helpful post.