Writing Styles.

New Guy Here. How Do I Unlock My Writing Style?

What makes us stand out in such a crowded place?

Before you start reading another post about niche or “quiche”. Hold that thought for a moment.

You are going too deep too fast son.

Before you start smelling other front runners butts. Hear me out. Come here for a second.

Do you want to become someone’s shadow, son? No? I thought so.

Come on. Let me show you how can you look different from other fish out there.

Serve the reader right.

This should come as a no-brainer. To serve the reader right, you have to provide value. Take them on a journey and show them instead of telling them.

What the hell should I write about then? — Annoyed Newb asks.

That’s up to you and what you are comfortable with. I know I sound dry like a salted codfish, so let me clarify.

We are not the same. And that’s great. That means we don’t need to smell each other’s bottom to figure out who’s doing better.

The way you write and the topics you would like to write about can be different from mine. What you learn, and what you experience in life, can be very valuable to me and others. So share them.

There’s a ton of content you could write about but only a few of them will pique your interest to write the most for sure.

How do I deliver that content? — Intrigued recruit asks.

There are two ways that you could deliver the content. You can choose between writing fiction or non-fiction. From those options, you can wear either one of the following hats:

The Teacher

This hat you are educating the reader. The reader comes to you so you can show him how to solve a problem. Your role is to educate. You write educational pieces that improve the lives of others in some way.

You can see many great writers who succeed in educating their audience.

It’s a very satisfying role. When you show them how you overcome the same hurdles as they have, they will flock to you. Also known as the Pied Piper of Hamelin of writing.

The Entertainer

This hat you are the entertainer. Your role is to captivate and entertain your readers. You’re there when the reader wants to laugh their assess off of your written pieces. Pieces that help them unwind and draw a smile on their faces.

Whether is real-life stories or fictional stories based on real events. You’re there to comfort the reader and let them know that the world is not a bad place after all.

If nailed right, it can bring a lot of joy for both the reader and the writer. Who doesn’t like to laugh or chuckle? A despicable person for sure.

You have the basics. Create your style

You figured out what you want to write about. You choose non-fiction writing. From that broad category, you want to write about writing. Obvious stuff, huh?

Hmm, the problem is there are so many well-established writers in that category.

How am I supposed to stand out? I’m no one! — The knowledgeable newbie questions.

That’s true. You have little chance of success unless you’re the next Hemmingway. You will blend into the noise.

People have heard it all before.

You sound like the rest of them, be ready to stay in Forgottenville.

Okay then, should we choose another category? — Annoyed newbie probes.

You will always encounter someone well-established. Someone well ahead of the game that you are playing now. You either establish your unique category or prepare to face competition.

Geez, are you here to help us out, or telling us to give our hopes up? — The knowledgeable newbie interrogates.

There are options. I will discuss one or this would become too long for you to soak in fellow aspiring writers.

Create a unique, and ’different’ style.

Something that feels right to you, that matches your personality. Let your quirkiness transfer through words when you type and publish.

Be the Donald Duck of writing self-improvement stories. The Scrooge McDuck of Investment and Finance. The Micky Mouse of traveling and blogging or Goofy of writing tips.

Give personality to your writing. Something that makes your readers identify your writing. That will raise some eyebrows.

You will be competing in the same overcrowded category as many other fellow writers. It is your personality and your writing style that will stand out.

When in the same category as others, try something different and unexpected. You will get the attention you seek. Both good and bad.

I will tell you how this goes. Choose a side.

If you are doing this right, people will comment. You will get reactions. Don’t shy away from it, embrace it.

Don’t hide between the bushes. Be comfortable on your skin.

Let readers and writers choose a side. Either they are with you, or against you. Let the latter allow them to continue their ways with the hopes they won’t bother you anymore.

If you are not comfortable with this yet, do not worry. It’s impossible to do this when you’re starting. You will get it through time.

As confidence grows with your skills, you’ll be ready to take on the next steps. You will improve your writing and give that unique style of yours.

Instead of sitting at your desk and staring at a blank page, start writing and following these steps:

• Study your category. Be a sneaky spy and check what everyone else is doing. What kind of mouthful are writers throwing at their readers? Take the high road and deviate from the standard copy-paste monastery everyone’s at.
• ‘Practice in Public’. Drop small crumbs of personality sweets in your posts. Check if the hungry readers bite. Improve the recipe as you go. Your voice grows and evolves to the next form. Continue practicing until you become the next Arnold.
• Analyze data. Hack into that data stored on your published stats. The more time you spend pumping articles, the more data you will be able to retrieve. Check the comment section and see what people say about your writing. Look for signs of what’s resonating with readers or what is crashing and burning.

If you are been reading my pieces, you’ll see that I’m currently doing exactly what I described to you.

I’m not sure where all this is going to lead me. I’m pretty sure that would be completely different from what I thought people wanted to read from me.

You made it this far! Thank you so much for reading!

My inspiration for this piece came from one of the many books I read on my journey as a writer.

“The Art and Business of Online Writing” by Nicolas Cole, has been a game changer for me. It helped me to understand the world of online writing. I’d recommend reading it if you are dead serious about playing the game.