Finding your voice as an author
People often ask me, “Why don’t you write about this?” or “Why would you even write about that?” Some ask with curiosity, others with judgment. The truth is, there is no one right topic. Writing is deeply personal, and the stories you create should come from your heart, your observations, and your unique perspective. But that still leaves the big question: how do you choose what to write? How do you find the stories worth telling, the ideas that will resonate, and the words that will leave a mark?
The first step is attention. What do you notice in your daily life? A passing conversation, a fleeting thought, a strange smell, or a memory that refuses to let go? All these small moments carry the potential for stories. Ask yourself: what did I notice today that made my heart beat faster, my mind wander, or my curiosity spark? Could it become a story if I just wrote it down?
Passion is your compass. The topics that excite you, that make your imagination race, are usually the ones worth exploring. Writing is hard work. It demands dedication, hours of thought, and constant revision. Would you want to dedicate yourself to something that doesn’t ignite your curiosity or fuel your creative fire? Which topics make you restless in the best way, where your thoughts keep returning to them even when the world tries to distract you?
Sometimes the story only you can tell is the one that matters most. It might come from personal experience, a perspective rarely seen in books, or an idea that challenges conventional thinking. Writing these stories isn’t just about expression—it’s about giving readers a chance to see the world differently, to step into someone else’s shoes, and to feel what they might never otherwise encounter. Who needs your story? Who might see themselves reflected in it or be changed by it?
Choosing a title is another challenge, but also an opportunity. Your title is your story’s first impression, its invitation to readers. How do you pick one? Often, the perfect title emerges naturally, from a line of dialogue, a pivotal moment, or a vivid image within your work. Sometimes it’s a feeling you want readers to carry with them as they begin. Could your title spark curiosity, empathy, or wonder even before they read the first sentence?
It’s normal to face pressure about what you “should” write. Friends, family, or even editors may suggest topics or genres, insisting they are what readers want. But here’s the question you must ask yourself: are you writing to please them, or are you writing because the story is calling you? What story would you tell even if no one else asked for it, because it burns inside you and refuses to be ignored?
Writing is also about transforming what you experience. Pain, joy, curiosity, and wonder can all be turned into something meaningful on the page. What have you felt recently that could be shaped into a story? Is there an emotion, an encounter, or a memory that begs to be explored, dissected, or shared? Writing gives those feelings a voice and allows your readers to feel them too.
Remember, writing is a journey. There is no wrong story if it comes from a place of honesty, curiosity, and care. Begin small, observe your world, and follow the sparks that light you up inside. Every day you write, you refine your voice, sharpen your insight, and grow as an author. What story has been whispering to you today? Which idea refuses to leave your mind, urging you to put it on paper before it disappears?
And if you want to take your writing further—learn how to write, market, sell, and publish—consider joining the EA Writingright Awards and Bootcamp. Nominations are in January, voting in February, awards in March, bootcamp in April, and graduation in May. Together, we can nurture our creativity, inspire each other, and bring our stories into the world. Are you ready to find your voice, tell your story, and impact the lives of others? sharpen your insight, and grow as an author. What story has been whispering to you today? Which idea refuses to leave your mind, urging you to put it on paper before it disappears?