Writing Styles.
What is Writing Style?
A writing style is a voice a writer uses to create a story. Every writer has their own style. This may change due to their use of words, sentence structure, and approach to the art of writing. The old battle of Plotter Vs Pantster can affect a writer's style.
There are 4 different types of writing styles.
Descriptive writing: A descriptive style uses figurative language and sensory details to paint a picture in a reader’s mind. Often using the environment around their characters to create realism, drawing the reader in.
Narrative writing: Narrative style has a plot, characters, and setting and is used in creative writing. It is the style writers use to craft a novel, novella, or screenplay.
Expository writing: An expository writing style is used for delivering facts and information rather than storytelling.
Persuasive writing: A persuasive writing style tries to influence readers to adopt the writer’s point of view. Examples of persuasive writing include letters of recommendation, academic writing, and cover letters.
8 Tips for Improving Your Writing Style
We all strive to be a better writer, below are some tips to help improve your writing style:
Be direct in your writing. We often buffer our sentences with complex words and structure. Be clear. Sometimes, getting to the point can really amplify a scene.
Choose your words wisely. There are many ways to write a sentence, and there are different words you can choose to convey the same idea. Be wary of your audience. If you are aiming at a well-read audience you may get away with complex sentences, however, young adult material may need to be looked at with more caution.
Short sentences are more powerful than long sentences. As mentioned before, having shorter and more impactful sentences can really deliver your story with more zest. Especially in certain genres. Particularly action scenes, suspense, and horror.
Write short paragraphs. Keep your paragraphs short and manageable. Each one should consist of sentences that support the same idea. Short paragraphs are easier to digest. They also create a more visually appealing layout on the page.
Always use the active voice. Use the active voice and adhere to subject-verb-object sentence structure. It’s the most direct path to making your point. With the active voice, the subject is doing something, which is more exciting than the passive voice, in which something is being done to the subject. The passive voice might be grammatically correct, but it creates long, complex sentences and is a weaker way of presenting the information.
Review and edit your work. Proofreading your first draft should be the first step in your editing process before you hand your story over to a professional editor. Tighten your writing, check your word choice and sentence structure, and hone your voice to improve your style. This is something I did not do with my first book release. I have been open and honest about my processes and have used them as a learning tool. My reviews are fantastic, apart from the odd grammatical error picked up. My story would be 5/5 if it was not for those errors, skimping out on editing and proofing comes at a cost.
Use a natural, conversational tone. Your writing style relies on your own, unique voice. Communicate in your comfort zone. In other words, write as you converse. Shape ideas with your original thoughts and voice, and do your best to avoid clichés. Your writing style should reflect your personality. Plus, the best advice I have for new authors is to write what you would want to read.
Read famous authors. Pick up any book by Neil Gaiman, and you’ll know it’s his writing simply by the tone of the story and the words he uses. Great writers put a stamp on their writing with a signature style. No one expects you to copy another person's style, but by reading proven and widely accepted works, you will gain a better understanding of structures and styles that could influence your own style.
And here are a few final tips. Don't be afraid to experiment. Push the boundaries. Try to plot if you haven't before. Interview the characters you create so that you know them well. Don't set yourself a time to complete a project unless you are motivated by time pressures. When you get feedback from Alpha readers, Beta readers, or editors, don't take it personally. We know you put a lot of time and effort into your work. Use that feedback for growth and development. And finally, listen to the podcast! We have so many amazing indies and established authors on the show. Each and every one of them has their own awesome ways of doing things, you never know what you will learn from the show.