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Finding a Writing Voice That Fits

You Have More Than One “Authentic” Voice

Anne Janzer
4 min readOct 13, 2020
person trying on sandals, sneakers, and dress shoes

Many writers struggle to find their “authentic” writing voice. It’s a challenge: How do you write in a way that seems natural and authentic while serving your purpose?

Authenticity is important, but in searching for a single, authentic writing voice, people can tie themselves up into knots. That pressure makes it harder to find their voice.

A writing voice is like a pair of shoes; you need more than one.

You need options for different occasions: sturdy hiking shoes for rough terrain, dress shoes for formal occasions, and your favorite comfy shoes to wear doing errands.

Likewise, you need to align the words you use and the way you put them together with the occasion. Create a “voice” that resonates with your audience, matching both their needs and your personality.

Does the Shoe Fit?

A muddy, well-used pair of hiking boots

If you write in your professional life, you’ve probably developed habits based on how people in your industry write and speak.

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Anne Janzer
Anne Janzer

Written by Anne Janzer

Author, Nonfiction book coach. Unapologetic Nonfiction Geek. Writing about Writing Itself (very meta). AnneJanzer.com

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