One might think that the act of writing helps one find their voice. You know…the way one puts words on a page and sounds like him or herself in actual conversation (although a bit more formal). I have found a better way to discover one’s own voice. The secret: critique other’s work.

It doesn’t matter if that critique is based on an already published book or something from a critique partner at a workshop or writers’ group. Trust me there are plenty of books out there that are written poorly and you can help yourself by reading through and deciding which words and phrases you would have tweaked.

Personally I’ve found that I tend to write action and dialogue over internalization. I am always looking to raise the stakes in a scene, and I discovered this by suggesting such in others work.  In reality it may not work for them, but by attempting to help, I have done myself an immense favor.

I found my voice.