The rules: Write for five minutes. No editing, revising, or over thinking. Just write.
Today’s Topic: Voice
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My writing voice is something that I have been coming to love more and more throughout this month as I have challenged myself to write every day this month for 31 days. I knew before October began that I was comparing myself way too much with other writers and bloggers, and that was contributing to me not feeling like I was worthy to call myself a writer. I felt like because I wrote differently that no one would want to read my words. For a while I even tried writing like the other bloggers whose writing I enjoy reading, but I felt so fake. I felt that it was no longer me, and I started to lose my voice.
So what really began with participating in Five Minute Friday where I just write without planning, I started to do that more and more frequently. Some days I had a general idea of what I was going to write in my head, but I found that I truly enjoyed the entries where I just wrote my feelings and let the words flow freely without worrying so much about how I compare to others. It was MY voice coming out in those words and not what I assumed people would want to read.
Still, I find myself slipping every once in awhile and wondering if maybe I wrote like other people would like me more. Putting it like that makes me feel like I’m still going through puberty and worried that no one will be my friend. I guess maybe my blog is still going through puberty, and one day it will blossom into what it is meant to be in this world…unique, just like everyone else! 🙂
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“A choir is made up of many voices, including yours and mine. If one by one all go silent then all that will be left are the soloists.
Don’t let a loud few determine the nature of the sound. It makes for poor harmony and diminishes the song.”
― Vera Nazarian
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Frogdiva Dot Com 
How true are your words and I found myself smiling along and saying, “yep” and “oh I do that too!” Wonderful to read YOUR voice today friend. Maybe one day I’ll take a breath and call myself a writer too. A friend recently sent me a message and said, “you’re a writer – write it out, write it til your hands ache and then keep going,” I’ve been on sabbatical from writing recently as life events swirled out of control, but words of encouragement, including your post today are helping me get back to doing what I love – thank you!
Lisa, it makes me smile to see that you were encouraged by my words. Simple comments like these are all that I need to keep going some days. Thank you for your kind words! I hope that your writing comes back to visit you soon.
Having worked on this “craft” of writing for over ten years, it took a leap of faith and Jeff Goins book that I will finally call myself a writer. And like all things the more you do it the better you get.
Good for you to take the challenge to write each day for 31 days.
I like your “voice”. Very readable and authentic.
Blessings,
Jan
I, too, am a fan of Jeff Goins’ work. Jeff and my friend, Rebekah, have been influential for me lately when it comes to my writing. You’re right, it does get easier if I keep practicing.
Thank you for your encouraging words, Jan. They are much appreciated.
You already do have a unique blog 🙂 I have compared myself to others too. Not so much my writing style, but the stats, the interaction, the facebook likes…all that kind of stuff. I enjoy reading your words because I get to know YOU better each time. If you were trying to write differently , I wouldn’t get that privalege. I like reading and commenting (lots of that as you can see haha). I do understand what you mean though. One of the biggest things I have heard from blogging tips online is to be yourself. Everyone says if you are yourself, you will attract a following of people who like you for you-which is what we want. Great thoughts for 5 min. Friday!
It really is so much easier to be yourself than to try to be someone else. It’s amazing how many times I still try to be someone that I am not. Crazy!
Lovely post.
Thank you, Shortybear!
“one day it will blossom into what it is meant to be in this world…unique, just like everyone else!” Love this!!
I’m glad to hear that I could make you smile 🙂