Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Caren Osrin Gittleman on July 7, 2012 at 2:27pm

I didn't read the link that you provided above (I apologize)...

I think that "writing style" is as individual as someone's voice. You have to find what suits YOU, YOUR personality.

For example, there are blogs that are far more technical, informational, "formal....I am not that type of person. The majority of the time I write Cat Chat in a more "casual" style. If it is Cody who is writing it is always conversational, frankly much of the time when I write it is the same way. That is because my personal style is casual. It wouldn't seem right if I wrote in a "formal" style. 

That is also partly why i named the blog "Cat Chat"..."chatting" is a more casual form of speaking.......I didn't want to call it "Cat Dissertation" lol.......

Does that make sense?

Permalink Reply by Caren Osrin Gittleman on July 7, 2012 at 2:29pm

Ok I went back and read it and I am right on the mark.

My "style" is casual, chatty, funny, sarcastic

My "voice" is down-to-earth, honest, somewhat emotional.......

We can't tell you what "style" you should use.......you have to do some searching within yourself and your own personality to find your own "voice" and "style"....something that suits YOU, not US.

Permalink Reply by Melody McKinnon on July 7, 2012 at 4:02pm

If it makes you feel any better, I don't think the writer of that post has a firm grip on the concepts yet either - she's applying them too specifically.

Having a writing education and writing frequently for technical and business readers always has me leaning towards the formal when I sit down to write.  Yet I enjoy writing more when I don't think about it so much, like if I'm replying to a forum question.  It could contain as much information as a formal article, but it flows better and nobody gasps if I use a smiley :-). 

What it boils down to is your style is natural, which feels informal by default.  "Formal" writing is more of a technique than a style.  Your style is part of your talent and talent cannot be taught.  Many people are highly educated in writing, they know the mechanics and proper this or that, but if they don't have talent they will never have a style. 

Similarly, someone could have the talent and necessary education to write bestselling books, but they struggle with an engaging blog.  That's because blogging itself is a type of genre technique.  Most novelists wouldn't make good reporters, most technical writers couldn't write fiction, and even the most brilliant of writers can suck at blogging. On the flip-side, typing is not a style either, but many bloggers keep broadcasting some of the worst drivel to ever be published, oblivious to the fact that they're not writing, they're just typing. It's the equivalent of cyber yapping...LOL.

Don't work on your style, just let it have the keyboard.  Don't worry about grammar or any other formalities until you're done, then go back and make it presentable. That said, Dawn, your style does come through your posts you know, I quite like it. Part of your charm is that it isn't forced.  :-)

Permalink Reply by Dawn Miklich on July 7, 2012 at 5:02pm

Thank you Melody! :>) Your comment makes me feel better. 

I often think my style is too formal, kind of sterile. Probably too many years of school and too much of the kind of reading/writing I have to do for work. I think I have gotten better since I've gotten quicker at writing and publishing my posts and not being as obsessive about having to review it several times to make sure it's just right. I also started playing around with voice recognition software and I think that helps a bit too. I  feel like I'm talking to a friend (although I sound like someone who has taken too much valium so the software can understand me). 

Permalink Reply by Melody McKinnon on July 7, 2012 at 6:23pm

I am exactly the same way, so it's me who should be asking you for tips...LOL.  I have a very difficult time losing that stiff, professional technique, especially when my goal for the blog is to have more in-depth information than is usually found on blogs.  I've started telling myself to write it like a forum post and that does help, depending on the topic. I express myself better in writing than verbally, so voice recognition software wouldn't help me personally but it's a great idea. 

I don't think I'll ever get over the reviewing & rereading & tweeking thing though... and I still end up editing after it's posted *rolling eyes @ self*. 

Permalink Reply by Caren Osrin Gittleman on July 8, 2012 at 8:43pm

Melody & Dawn this is exactly what I was referring to: "

What it boils down to is your style is natural, which feels informal by default.  "Formal" writing is more of a technique than a style.  Your style is part of your talent and talent cannot be taught.  Many people are highly educated in writing, they know the mechanics and proper this or that, but if they don't have talent they will never have a style. 

Similarly, someone could have the talent and necessary education to write bestselling books, but they struggle with an engaging blog.  That's because blogging itself is a type of genre technique. "

A superb  writer doesn't always translate to a superb blogger and vice versa......

I agree that your "style is part of your talent and it cannot be taught".......that is what I meant above that no one can TELL someone else what their style should be. One's style is unique to each individual. It isn't "textbook." 

In my opinion the best artists, writers, etc. do not follow "textbook" advice. they do what you said about just being free with the keyboard.

I also have experience with formal writing from legal briefs to philosophical essays. That was never my "thing"

To me the most important thing is to forget numbers, stats, hits, etc, etc, etc and just be true to yourself. Once you are true to yourself it all falls into place.