Writing Tip: Experiment with Style
While some might argue writing is about conveying information (and they’re partially correct), I would argue it’s more of an art than that. It’s endlessly creative and the opportunities for expression are infinite. If you’re reading this, you probably already know that, though. So, I want to share some of my thoughts on writing style, which is just one element of what makes our writing unique and true to us. Perhaps it’s not a focus of your own current writing journey, but it’s certainly been part of mine for a while now. As an undiagnosed autistic person, I realized that a lot of what I do is heavily influenced by others, and it’s been a goal of mine to truly discover my own voice and my own style. It’s a part of my unmasking journey, and a part of discovering more of who I am. I may be freshly 40 years old, and it may have taken years for my current style to develop, but I’m a big believer in always continuing to learn and grow. If you’re interested in reading some earlier personal reflections on my own writing style (based on notes from readers), you can check that out here.
When it comes to my writing specifically, I’ve been playing around with style for the past few years, seeing where I land. It’s kinda like taking lots of items into the fitting room to see what looks and feels best once it’s actually on. And I’ve learned a lot! Even on this blog I can see a difference in my writing style when compared to earlier posts. I’ve learned that one effective way to enhance my writing skills is by playing with my style. I think it’s something all of us could benefit from, which is why I’m sharing what I’ve discovered so far. Experimenting with different styles can breathe new life into our work, foster innovation, and ultimately elevate our craft. In this blog post, let’s explore the benefits of playing with writing style and consider practical tips for writers looking to infuse more creativity into their work.
Before I get into it, I want to clarify that writing style and writing voice are related concepts but they refer to different aspects of our work. I still use these terms somewhat interchangeably on a daily basis, but for the sake of this blog post, I think it’s worth explaining the technical differences between the two.
Writing Style refers to the particular way in which we use language to convey our ideas and express our thoughts. It encompasses elements such as sentence structure, vocabulary choice, tone, pacing, and use of literary devices like metaphors and similes. Style can be influenced by various factors including our background, education, culture, and personal preferences. For example, some writers may have a descriptive and elaborate style, while others may prefer a more concise and straightforward approach.
Writing Voice, on the other hand, refers to the distinctive personality, tone, and perspective that comes through in a writer's work. It is the unique way in which our personality and individuality shine through our writing. Voice is often described as the "sound" of the writer's work, and it can vary depending on the genre, audience, and purpose of the writing. Voice is what makes our writing recognizable and distinct from that of other writers. For example, some writers may have a humorous and witty voice, while others may have a more serious and introspective voice.
So basically, writing style refers to the technical aspects of writing, such as sentence structure and vocabulary, while writing voice refers to the unique personality and perspective that comes through in a writer's work. Although I think voice is also super important, today my focus is more on style, because I think once we’ve established solid style, our voices can shine through those structures more clearly.
The way my mind differentiates the two is this: Style can be taught and improved upon, voice can be discovered and developed. Style is external, while voice comes from inside.
Why Play with Writing Style?
Unleashing Creativity
Developing a strong writing style is what allows great writers to give their creativity free rein. It allows us to break away from conventions and explore all the possibilities. By experimenting with different stylistic choices, we tap into new ideas and perspectives that may have remained inaccessible in a more rigid approach. We can try things on and then create something all our own! But this really happens best when we already have a good handle on stylistic elements.
Developing a Unique Voice
I think our voice is ultimately what sets us apart most as writers. Through exploration of style, we can discover what makes our voice distinctive. Whether it's in the choice of words, sentence structure, or narrative tone, embracing various stylistic approaches helps us refine and define our unique authorial voice. Style really helps to highlight that innate voice each of us has.
Engaging Readers
Writing that surprises and delights readers is often born out of stylistic innovation. The unexpected twists and turns in our writing style create an engaging reading experience that sets our work apart. There’s a book I’ve reviewed on here (The Day Death Stopped) that utilizes style in such a fun way it was impossible to put the book down, because I didn’t know what fun footnotes were going to appear next to elevate the already-engaging narrative and voice.
Breaking Creative Blocks
If I ever find myself stuck in a creative rut, experimenting with style can be an effective remedy. Breaking away from routine and trying something new stimulates my mind, helping me overcome creative blocks. I have a feeling it would do the same for most writers.
Tips for Playing with Writing Style
Switch It Up
Venture out of comfort zones. If you typically write fiction, try your hand at poetry, creative nonfiction, or even a screenplay. Each area comes with its own set of stylistic elements that can enrich your writing. Even switching up our genre can be enough to try on something new. For instance, I write primarily contemporary or speculative fantasy, but one of my current WIPs was born from an activity where I challenged myself to incorporate historical elements. So now I’ve got a dual-timeline novel in progress where half of it is set in the 1920’s. It totally changed the direction of the original story, but it’s so much better, and loads of fun to research and write. Definitely got my creativity flowing again, in new and interesting ways.
Mimicry Exercise
Choose a writer whose style you admire and try to mimic it. This exercise isn't about copying but understanding the nuances that make their writing unique. We can apply these insights to our own work, blending them with our voice for a fresh and personalized touch. Since I started in poetry, I actually really struggled with writing straightforward prose. So, I looked into authors known for their concise and direct language, seeing if I could mimic that style. It was hard, but it has been well worth the practice as I’ve actually had a reader compare one of my short stories to Hemingway. My style has developed more since then, but I still find that comparison so satisfying because he’s definitely been one of my influences, and is worlds apart from where I started.
Experiment with Tone
Shift the tone of your writing. If you usually write in a serious and formal tone, experiment with a more casual or humorous approach. Conversely, if your style is typically light-hearted, explore the depths of a darker, more introspective tone. I’m still working on this one, admittedly. I can’t write in a comedic tone to save my life, but I’m going to keep trying! The key with this is to not lose your voice while shifting tone.
Play with Point of View
Alter the narrative perspective. If you typically write in the first person, switch to third , or experiment with an unreliable narrator. Changing the point of view can offer new insights into your characters and story. I did this with my very first completed novel manuscript, and it was a game changer.
Sentence Structure Variations
Break away from your habitual sentence structures. Play with sentence lengths, use fragments for emphasis, or experiment with parallelism. Varying sentence structures adds a rhythmic quality to your writing and keeps it engaging. When I read something out loud, I feel it almost like music, so this exercise is a fun one.
Embrace Literary Devices
Explore the use of literary devices such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, and symbolism. Incorporating these elements into our writing style can add layers of meaning and create a more vivid and evocative picture. We all know that already, so I’m talking about being more intentional with it. For instance, crafting my metaphors and similes to directly relate with the lived experiences and values of my protagonist can be a fun challenge and keep me from using boring clichés we’ve all heard before.
Collaborate with Others
Engage in collaborative writing projects. Co-writing with another author or participating in writing challenges exposes us to different writing styles. The synergy of diverse voices can lead to unexpected and delightful outcomes. I’m so grateful for my writing and critique groups, as well as my fellow author friends… I’d love to do a fully collaborative story with some of them one of these days.
Playfulness in Language
Have fun with language. Introduce wordplay, experiment with neologisms, or create your own linguistic quirks. Language is a versatile tool, and playful experimentation can inject life into our prose. Again, a lot like my struggles with comedic voice, this one does not come naturally to me. I’ll keep practicing, though!
Experimenting with writing style is a fun way to unlock more of our full creative potential as writers. Maybe only one or two of these things will help you, but I’m always reminding myself to embrace the joy of experimentation so that, hopefully, my writing will evolve organically. By playing with style, we not only improve our craft but also infuse our work with a sense of our true, authentic voice.
Happy writing!
