Writing 101 Maintaining Interest - Preparation and The Unique Voice

When it comes to writing, everyone has his or her own style. People have different ways to prepare themselves for the task. When writing anything, one of the paramount qualities that each writer must display is a unique voice.

Voice is what will always differentiate one writer from another. Unless a writer is quoting, or deliberately copying another writer word for word, differences will always be apparent in the voice of each individual. It is inevitable. No matter how hard we try, we will never know what is in the head of another. We will never know how exactly another person would phrase a certain thought under any particular situation.

In essence, that is part of what makes reading, and overall interaction with other people, so interesting. It is part of the reason why we will choose to call one person over another, or buy one book or musical artist over another.

Two different stories or articles may turn out similar, but style is a concept almost impossible to mimic. A writer's style is like a pattern. It denotes subtleties that, while apparent in most writing, are pieced together like a jigsaw puzzle. They are unique to each person and it is impractical to unravel how one person achieved their voice.

It is much more worth while to focus on our own voice. My words are ingrained in a way that are unmistakably mine, and trying to figure out exactly how I achieved my voice is hardly worth the trouble. It is easier to take an idea, such as the lightsaber, and alter it in subtle ways, (By the way this has been done countless times in mainstream media) than it is to copy someone's writing style. Our voice may automatically be unique, but how do writers keep their voice interesting?

Most writers prepare to write in the privacy of their own workspace. That is why few people can copy whatever ritual writers perform to put them in a writing mood. A specific ritual is important to many writers. That doesn't mean that writers regularly light candles and pray over the bible, although that is not out of the question. Writing is a personal thing. Preparation is no different.

Some people find it next to impossible to write at just anytime. Some people find it easier to write when they are emotional. For others, it is exactly the opposite. Of course people can't often make themselves happy, or sad, at will. That is why these rituals are often applied, to set a certain mood that the writer feels comfortable working in.

Writing is a process of patience, and determination. Even people who love to write have to sit down and make themselves do it from time to time. Writing is most enjoyable when good ideas seem to flow like running water. It can be frustrating when ideas refuse to surface.

Writing something fresh and new every single day, so our writing doesn't become stale is the real challenge. The best remedy for this is just to write something everyday. It doesn't matter how much you write, or even what you write. It only matters that you do write. When doing this, writers often find that ideas will facilitate each other. Stories often come together this way. Just the process of writing can get the mind running like a well-oiled machine. But it is getting started along that process that a writer has to contend with every day. That is what makes it a job, and ultimately what makes writing so fulfilling.