BEING MYSELF

A question I have heard asked frequently is "How do I write different things without losing my voice?"

At first a writer might try different things as they attempt to discover who they are as a writer.  The more one writes, the more your voice comes through in your work.  You can cross genres and your voice will still come through.

For instance, my writing is kind of dark.  Even when I write what I call mundane stories, my voice still comes through.  I can sometimes switch off my voice to write lighter pieces, but that is usually harder than the dark stuff and requires way more thought.  I have to pull from my own experience to write the lighter stuff. 

It's funny that I am usually more upbeat in my "real life" than my "writing life."  I guess the dark stuff must come from somewhere.  I find that letting out the darker side of me keeps it from interfering in my life.

Staying true to yourself is certainly good for your writing, but trying new things opens up greater avenues in your creativity.  It's good to stretch yourself.  I am always learning each time I write a flash piece, a longer piece or even poetry.  So, feel free to dabble in other areas, but don't forget the part of you that you are most comfortable and write that too.

Sometimes switching from fiction to non-fiction or poetry is not easy, but you can do it.  You may just need to work a little harder than you have in the past to get those different creative juices flowing.  Whatever you do, DO NOT STOP WRITING!