My Writing Voice and My Speaking Voice

Thanks in advance for reading this article. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas. I'd love to hear what you liked. Please write me a little COMMENT below. Start a conversation. Tell me what you think, and I'll reply. Promise.
=========================================================

Whatever I do, I’m writing nearly all the time, every day.  You too?

When I market the band to someone planning music for a party, I’m just as likely to be writing as speaking.  The same when I’m helping wedding coordinator or a bride-to-be plan the music for her celebration.

So I hope my writing voice conveys the same friendly, helpful, reliable person that people hear in my speaking.

Most of us have been speaking continually nearly all our lives.  And most of that talk has been informal, casual, and personal.

Consequently our speaking voice — how we speak — usually reveals volumes about who we are, what we care about, where we’ve been, and how capable and dependable we are.

In contrast, we usually learn to write in school, under more pressure and structure.  There are “rules” to learn, which usually leave our writing lifeless and impersonal, but precise and correct.

Later we gradually develop a writing voice, hopefully carrying the same freight as our speaking voice.   Over years, we learn to bend those original “rules” and write more personally, from the heart.  You can Google “writing voice” and find dozens of helpful hints for how to develop yours.

Compared to our speaking voice, our writing voice is always more awkward, and sometimes completely stifled.  Whoever suffers from “speaker’s block”?

Developing a writing voice involves more than avoiding clutter, jargon, and other gibberish.  It’s learning to be clear and straightforward, and to honestly convey our thoughts.  When we wish to make a personal impression with our writing, it helps to write as we speak.

Similar to developing my writing voice, I’m learning to speak to a video camera.  I’m sure you can see that my video recording voice is still pretty stilted, but believe me, my first video was worse.

These days I’m aiming to make my video voice as relaxed as if you and I were chatting face to face in a coffeeshop.  I’m improving, and I’m sure I’ll succeed someday.  Same with making my writing voice relaxed and “my own”.

How about YOUR writing voice?  Does your personal and business writing convey who you really are?

.
CLICK here to tweet this post and join our Magnolia Jazz Band fans on Facebook.  You’ll receive daily tips for planning wedding and party music, and you’ll get reminders for our public events.

Thanks for reading this article. I appreciate your interest and hope you get a few good ideas here. Got one or two? I'd love to hear what you liked. Please write me a little COMMENT below. Start a conversation -- I'll reply. Promise.

By the way, does a friend need help selecting wedding or party music? Do them a favor: EMAIL this article, or SHARE it on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Google+.

And if you find my blog useful, please LIKE it, TWEET it, and SUBSCRIBE for more ideas. Use those cute little icons below.

Meanwhile, the Magnolia Jazz Band entertains at weddings and parties throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. If you are ever nearby, you’ll love catching us in action, seeing and hearing us create a great mood.

How can I help you? Call 408-245-9120 or use [email protected]. Planning a celebration? Ask about our availability.

If you like this post...