Home » 5 Ways To Better Refine Your “Writing Voice”

5 Ways To Better Refine Your “Writing Voice”

July 23, 2012 by 12 Comments

It took me a long time to understand that my voice mattered. For many years, I was always taught that there were hierarchies. In life, in families, and in organizations. While that is true, there is a common misconception there.

Yes, we need leaders. We need people to organize and run organizations. And we need to respect those leaders. But unlike how it was often portrayed to me, they can’t do it all on their own. They need every person contributing with ideas and alternatives, and real world suggestions.

This concept has really been resonating with me over the last few years. I have a voice. And what I have to say matters. It took me a long time to understand this.

When I first started blogging, I’ll admit it was mostly for me. To find my writing voice again. To put thoughts into words. Maybe even to help myself believe my voice mattered.

Then something happened. The more times I hit “publish”, the more I realized God might be wanting to use my story. He might be wanting to use the gift of encouragement He gave me to help others. I started finding my voice. I started truly understanding that my voice matters.

It matters to God.

And it matters to others.

So, how do you start? How do you truly believe that your voice matters?

1. Talk to God – spend time with Him. Ask for His help. Ask Him to truly help you understand that your voice is important.

2. Start – start writing. Starting hitting “publish”. Start something!

3. Ask for feedback from people you trust. Not the whole world. Start with your inner circle. The ones who believe in you and have your best interests at heart.

4. Participate in community – Find people who are doing what you’re doing. Find other writers. Follow their blogs. Comment on their blogs. Start following them on Twitter. Serve them. You’ll be amazed at what you can learn from others.

5. Have fun! Spend time dreaming. Spend time gathering ideas. Have fun! Sometimes the best ideas come when you aren’t trying so hard to think of them.

Your voice matters.

Embrace it.

Celebrate it.

Start speaking!

QUESTION: How has God used your voice to help someone? Do you believe your voice matters?

* Image credit: Joe Cavazos (Creation Swap)

Filed Under: Advice, Blogging, Creativity, Habits, Miscellaneous, Platform, Resources, Uncategorized, Writing Tips
About Tammy Helfrich
  • http://www.crazyaboutchurch.com/ Charles Specht

    Great article, Tammy. 

    I agree that God uses our “voice” in many diverse ways to help people around us. In fact, “encouraging words” are one thing that costs us nothing, we have an unlimited amount of, and is so beneficial to those who receive it. It seems strange that we don’t use our voice to dish out encouragement more often and more freely.In the same way that it becomes easier to publish articles more often by simply hitting the publish button, so it is with encouraging others around us. ;-)

    • http://www.tammyhelfrich.com/ Tammy Helfrich

      I agree! I have realized this as I have learned to really use my gift of encouragement. It doesn’t take anything to do it, but we often think twice about offering it. Thanks for the opportunity to be a part of this group!

  • http://www.professionalcontentcreation.com/ Rebecca Livermore

    Tammy, I think you and I may be on a similar journey. I’ve long felt that my number 1 calling in life is to help other people be successful. Because of that, I’ve often “smooshed” my own gifts and passions, or always given them the backseat compared to the focus on others.

    While there is great value in being behind the scenes and helping others,  and while I will always likely do that to some degree, there is also something to be said for having my own platform, and sharing my voice with others in a more visible way. That can be a tricky balance, for sure, but one well worth striving for as we use all of the gifts God has given us. He’s given us a voice for a reason, and I believe we’ll please him more as we embrace the gifts he’s given us and freely use them to bless others.

    • http://www.tammyhelfrich.com/ Tammy Helfrich

      I am right there with you, Rebecca. It’s a struggle sometimes to realize that, and like you said, a very tricky balance. Thanks for stopping by!

  • http://www.theycallmekeeks.com/ Kristen Keyser

    Great thoughts once again, Tammy!

    Yes I do feel like my voice matters and I have to trust it is reaching who it needs to reach.

    • http://www.tammyhelfrich.com/ Tammy Helfrich

      Thanks. So glad to hear it! Your voice matters!!

  • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

    Great post Tammy.

    I know my voice matters – I ‘ve always felt that what God reveals to me can help someone else.

    I just used to battle this one line ‘will anyone listen?’

    Now I’ve learnt – still learning  – that I don’t have to help the whole world. Just one person at a time.

    It’s how God works, one heart, one soul at a time.

    There will always be a ‘one’. And that’s what matters most.

    • http://www.tammyhelfrich.com/ Tammy Helfrich

      So true, Ngina! I think we forget that sometimes, though. I know I do. We focus on the “big picture” instead of the people God has placed right around us that we can help one person at a time. Great thoughts.

  • http://JaredLatigo.com/ Jared Latigo

    Well said. The sad part is that many leaders think they can do it on their own and they end up failing miserably. I think voice matters a lot in business, but probably more so in our own lives. 

    I’ll admit that I’m still finding mine, particularly with writing since I have several passions. I can really see my strong point being sharing about passion and through that I hope people will see where mine comes from. The Lord, of course :D  

    • http://www.tammyhelfrich.com/ Tammy Helfrich

      I am still finding mine as well. Thanks, Jared!

  • Leighhudson1

    You are seriously a rock star!

  • http://twitter.com/StorytellerGRL Grace Robinson

    Beautiful post! Thanks for the important reminders about listening to God, obeying God, and just plain writing something already. ;-)