Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you know what I’m referring to. Poking fun at those backward-hat-wearin’-pants-around-their-bum-knuckleheads was awesome to watch. So, my question for my fellow scribes is this: Are you wearing your writing down around you bum? What I mean is, are you trying so hard to make your writing cool that you make it look ridiculous?
One of the biggest mistakes that new writers make is trying to imitate what is currently “cool” in the writing world. Yes, there was room for the teenage vampire “writers” to jump on board the Meyer bandwagon. ‘Tis the way of the world and I get that. Thank God that era is starting to fade. I’m not talking genre as much as I am voice and style. The surest recipe for lookin’ like a fool is to try and copy or imitate another writer’s voice.
You need to remember that your voice is yours. It is what makes you unique and is a major factor in your success as a writer. If you try to write like King or Brown or Meyer the only thing you will succeed at is lookin’ like a fool. Writing in your own voice is your big chance to pull up your pants and walk tall. When you are a success, it will be because you did things in your own unique and special way.
Take the time to examine your motivation and your writing heroes. We all have heroes and it’s important to recognize which traits you admire in them and want to emulate. Now examine the writing you’ve done. Look at it with a critical eye. Ask yourself, “Is this MY voice? MY style? Or is my writing on the ground?”
After closer examination, if your writing is on the ground don’t just toss it away – get a belt. Resolve to keep your writing off the ground and get into your own style. The results will be impressive and you will feel great about your writing all over again.
What say you? Is your writing your own?
Great headline.
I think my writing’s my own because I really just write and don’t think about anything else. Just trying to put out the best product I can. That’s it.
Hey Bamboo,
That is the key right there. Just writing means being your self, and that truly is the way to go.
Cheers
George
This is strong advice George. Sometimes people can’t help but imitate what they read, especially if they have no experience writing. You have find your voice over time. My blog is not even a year old yet and I am still noticing changes in my writing style…for all I know it will always be changing.
Steven | The Emotion Machine´s last blog ..Mindful Risk-Taking: In Life And In Business
Hi Steven,
Thanks for coming by and contributing. I think that to some extent our voice does morph as we gain new experiences and we increase the comfort level with our writing. As long as we are true to ourselves, it’s all good!
George
Bamboo Forest said what I was thinking. I try to learn from others in terms of telling stories and structure — not voice, which is up to me. No one can duplicate our own lives and experiences.
Meryl K Evans´s last blog ..10 Actions for Writers in Providing Great Customer Service
I think Meyer jumped on the Joss Whedon bandwagon (and Joss did it better), but let’s not quibble. Love this post! You’re right, of course. You almost always are.
judy´s last blog ..The Wild In Me
Jude-stress!
No quibble here! Missed you this week, dah-link. Glad you liked the post!
George
I want to write like The Bloggess but I know I would never pull it off
And I so hope that song puts an end to the “fashion”.
Kim Woodbridge´s last blog ..RIP Howard Zinn 1922-2010
Hi Kim,
Oh my gawrsh. Me too! I can’t believe it’s been around this long!
Oh and I bet you could pull it off!
George
Hey, George,
Trying to sound “hip” in your writing usually blows up. First, it dates the piece. Second, chances are your hipness is totally last week. Remember the old guy who always tried to look hip when you were a kid? Same deal.
Writing doesn’t have to be hip. It has to be clear, compelling and engaging. “Hip” quickly becomes “hep” which is older than I am. Give your copy “legs” by avoiding the current hip terms. They just make you sound like a wannabe (which is a term that’s already dated).
PL
Hi Paul!
Nice to see you. Good perspective on this I think. Trying to look hip will surely backfire. I am so aware of this when teaching high school students – I fess up to my “oldness” and just be myself and it usually works out ok!
George
Great post, George! And really, good advice for life in general. btw…I like what you’ve done with the place here!
Linda
Linda7004´s last blog ..Weekly Web Wanderings (weekly)
Hi Linda,
Always nice to see you here. I’m having fun kinda changing things a little here and there – I’m glad you like!
George
Excellent advice, George.
As an editor, I have to be careful to keep my own voice from slipping in to the author’s work. I tell my clients the work should sound like them—only better.
Lillie Ammann´s last blog ..Interview with Aggie Villanueva
Hi Lillie,
I’ve been on both sides of that equation as well. I’ve had editors who wanted style changes which would result in nothing more than the voice sounding more like someone else. I’ve also been in the edit mode of someone’s work, blue pen a flyin’ and then realized, “Whoa. Slow down. This is not your piece, it is theirs!”
Thank for stopping by!
George
That’s hard to ascertain. Perhaps I’m a shabby composite of writers I admire? It can be a while to find one’s voice and to be confident in using it. But it’s something I always strive for: to trust my way of giving form to my thoughts without being seduced by the more apparent affectation or hip style. Wise advice, George.
jan geronimo´s last blog ..When a Question Is the Answer
Hi Jan,
I think as long as we are staying true to our voice, it doesn’t matter quite as much how we got there. A true style rings true. A false style is off key. Nice seeing you Jan.
George
Let me just say I didn’t think the song was that funny. :p
Now that that’s out of the way (lol) I agree with you completely. Writers who mimic others are just well, weird – especially if they don’t do it well. Haha.
I’m not a writer but can see the parallels of this with singers. Singers who copy others’ styles end up just sounding weird.
reyjr´s last blog ..You can make money on the internet too – seriously!
Hey Reyjr
Yeah, I wasn’t rolling on the floor LMAO but the fact that he was 62 and came up with a way of saying what a lot of folks feel really got me.
I think the concept transcends all artistic lines.
George
haha, you’re right I guess. I don’t like em low hanging pants either. :p
reyjr´s last blog ..You can make money on the internet too – seriously!
Great post George,
It’s always good to be reminded to be yourself especially in your writing. It is as you say what makes you unque and what makes you, YOU. If you copy someone else it’s not you, it’s your attempt to be them. Thanks so much for this great reminder. We can all admire other writers but we can’t be them.
Amanda
Amanda Evans´s last blog ..3 Things All Freelancers Need To Do
Hi Amanda,
I hope things are going well over at your site with the new design and concept. I enjoy heading over there with each post!
I agree, while imitation may be the most sincere form of flattery, it really does nothing for us in terms of moving our writing forward!
George
You got me! great headline George. Been reading you comment on another site, smallbizbee, very pithy. Finding your own voice can be difficult for new writer like myself. Your advice “get a belt” is well taken. I guess the next step is to add your feed and start visiting your site (Promise I won’t copy your voice).
Rob
Hey Rob,
Awesome to see you here! Yeah, I’ve been seeing you over at Matt’s site. I love his web site, there’s always something cool to learn over there.
Thanks for the Twitter follow too. I look forward to hangin’ out with you over there.
Cheers
George
Hi George!
I LOVED this post!
This may sound cliche, but I really needed to hear this.
When I’m writing, sometimes I get the feeling I should try to be more “hip” or more “groovy”. You know, like sparkly writing or to try to be “out of the box”. But, to be honest, those pants don’t fit me.
Trying not to sound stuffy or aloof, I’m an intellectual and savor beautiful and eloquent writing. In fact, a few days ago I spent a couple of hours reading old Civil War letters to their beloved mates back home. The letters filled my cup. And your post here reminds me to remember who I am.
I might like to read groovy outlandish prose, but that’s not ME. I’m more of a pressed and ironed button-down girl than I am a overall-wearin’ chick with my boxers sticking out.
Great writing and post, George. I savor your site.
Lori´s last blog ..Smiley
Lorilicious!
Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it. Savory? I’ll take that!
Knowing who you are is half the battle, right? I bet it would be very moving to read those civil war era letters I’m sure they were touching.
Personally, I love the writing style you put out there. Your site is always a pleasure to visit, because the writing is very real, informal and heart-felt. And THAT… is as good as it gets.
George
Awww, thanks, George. Coming from you, that really means a lot. I very much admire your writing style and your whole approach to writing.
I’ll be seeing you soon!
~xo
Lori´s last blog ..Smiley
You’ve managed to crack me up while at the same time delivering a serious and important message. You won’t see me lookin’ like a fool
Heather´s last blog ..we’re looking at the end
Heather!
Hope the re-branding is going well!
Pshaw, girl. You ain’t got a single stand of fool DNA in ya!
Folks, go over and see what Heather is up to!!!!
George
More truth than poetry here George.
One quick question though – what does one google search when trying to find the picture to accompany the post? “Pants around ankles” “Falling down pants” “Butt hanging out of pants” all seem like options, but I shudder to think what images that search would return
Great post,
Matt
Matt | Small Biz Bee´s last blog ..5 Simple Ways to Optimize Your Email Marketing Campaigns
Matt,
Oh, man. I am laughin’. It WAS a bit tough finding an image. I googled “pants hips image” “pants butt image” (don’t go there) and finally had to settle for “pants image”.
Cheers, buddy.
George