I learned a few things at a recent Gary Younge Guardian Masterclass, Gary’s a popular columnist and broadcaster, amongst other things.
I’m curious about writing and writers, their quirks and creativity – so this kind of offering was hard to resist.
The session was three insightful hours long, entitled ‘How to Find Your Voice as a Writer’, a topic that spans across all genres of writing.
The Gary Younge Masterclass tips
I’m sharing just a handful of broad points that came up that evening – though for some of you, this might be case of preaching to the converted:
- Recognise your own voice and own it – be yourself.
- If you write to please other people you will never please yourself.
- Use ‘your world’ to colour your writing or topic – think about your values, experiences, biases, background, politics, world view etc..
- Writing is all the more difficult if you’re easily discouraged – the truth is, it’s hard.
- Develop a thicker skin – writers are not normally strangers to rejection.
- Keep writing.
- Read lots.
Gary confesses that his writing is noticeably better when he’s reading regularly, compared to periods where he’s had a lull. The more you read, the more easily you will catch onto styles you like.
8. You don’t have to start writing at the beginning of the story – start anywhere.
I reckon this is probably a common cause of writer’s block – self inflicted because we’re trying to have the structure and order perfectly in place when what we really ought to be doing is letting our ideas and thoughts flow onto the screen (or note book).
You can go back and play around with the order and edit later.
and the rest
Gary shared a lot of interesting information about himself, like the time when he hung out with Nelson Mandela’s bodyguard, his upbringing, education, his politics and career so far.
We also got some slightly more technical insights and tips into the wonderful world of journalism to help create a compelling piece.
Hearing about the writing approaches and habits of well known writers like Maya Angelou and Andrea Levy, was also very interesting indeed.
Hopefully there will be another Gary Younge Guardian Masterclass for you to sign up for if you’re interested, you can find him on twitter here.
Having attended a few writing/travel writing type sessions this year Iβve come to realise just how useful it is to hear from a range of different writers. They all have very different views on what makes a good piece β a subtle faux pas for one can be an absolute must for another.
Expressing your personality through your writing is a classic example of this – there may be times when you have to balance ‘your voice’ against an expected or desired style or tone β depending on who youβre writing for.
Found your voice yet?
Finding your voice as a writer is a very personal thing – there are no rules because it’s ‘you’, ‘your voice’ in writing.
In schools most of what young people write isn’t about them, it’s about the subject area.
Generally speaking, society teaches us to write more formally than we speak – though social media may well have helped to shift this way of thinking – somewhat!
Online opinion and self expression have become an accessible and fashionable norm.
In education, writing was all about regurgitating information, proving that you understood and remembered something, rather than a form of self expression – though I guess we did get the odd bit of creative writing here and there.
If you feel like you’ve found your voice as a writer – congratulations, it’s probably the reason why your content seems sincere, human, interesting to read and more effective in connecting with your audience.
Hopefully I’m getting a bit closer to finding mine βΊοΈ


More wine available in the canteen folks!!
Note to self β thatβs how you get roughly one hundred people to get out of a room sharpish – give ’em wine!

What are some of your own writing tips, please do share a few below?
Share as many tips below as you like – it’s always inspiring to hear from different bloggers and writers.
Use #writingtips with your comment if you would like to be entered into the prize draw, there’s an Amazon Gift Voucher up for grabs – closing date 2nd August 2020 midnight.
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Josie Mellor
Don’t put too much pressure on to meet targets set by yourself. Sometimes you’ll write more, sometimes you’ll write less. Don’t force it.
Anonymous
Good tip – when you try and force it you usually end up with a block π
Cherryl
I agree, go at your own pace π
Amie
For me, writing it about being free. My writing tip would be to free yourself of all the stresses, strains and struggles and let your words be the instrument to that freedom π
Cherryl
Sounds like very good advice!
Maddy
#WritingTips – Never tell you reader, but let it be implicit so that in reaching their own conclusions, they’re drawn in to the writing.
Cherryl
An element of intrigue can definitely draw the reader in π«
Pete
When creating location, try and appeal to all the senses so the reader feels immersed.
Cherryl
Absolutely – describing the five senses at any given moment really pulls you into the scene π
angie pickering
Keep a notepad and pen by your bed, sometimes the best ideas come in the middle of the night! #writingtips
Cherryl
Great idea – yes, when we’re most relaxed, ideas pop up from nowhere π
Philip Rogers
#writingtips
keep your eyes open when walking around, you never know what inspiring ideas you’ll pick up
Cherryl
Good tip – inspiration can come from anywhere at any time!β¨
Chantelle
Checking grammar and spelling when you are done. Easy and quick to do, why spoil something beautiful you have written with a typing error!
Cherryl
Yes – always the case and easy to slip up when rushing. An experienced writer once told me that it’s best to leave your work for a day or two before proof reading – the ‘fresh eye’ spots errors more easily than one that’s constantly glued to the words π€
Heather Haigh
I find it easiest to write if I’m doing something a bit mindless at the same time. I especially like to write while knitting. Note pad and pen at one side and all my knitting stuff at the other.
Cherryl
I guess different things work for different people, and giving the mind some space definitely helps – glad knitting works for you, that’s good multi-tasking!! π
Hazel Rea
Keep a small notebook and pencil with you all the time so you can write down any ideas that occur to you or snatches of overheard conversation which intrigue you. Periodically reread these – especially if you have a “block”. Write for fun, write random interesting paragraphs which might turn into something more later. #writingtips
Cherryl
π agree with all these tips – I’ve gone back to random notes in the past and managed to create something from it a year or more later
jenrhymer
Base your writing on your own experiences x
Kim clark
#WritingTips good knowledge about what you are writing about is key. Write from your heart so that your personality comes over in your writing.
Cherryl
Love that tip – a bit of personality makes it sound ‘human’π€
Cherryl
Much easier to write about too!
Caroline Cordery
#writingtips I think a good place to start would be to think of a good anecdote from your life or description of your childhood which has always held people’s attention when you’ve told them out loud, and then write that down, honing it for most captivating interest.
Cherryl
Great idea – and a personal touch π
indigo987
#writingtips close your eyes and get the computer to read it out loud. Itβs so easy to hear mistakes!
Cherryl
Great idea – or get someone else to read it back to you π
Lisette Davidson (@Supersoniclady3)
My tip is to fall in love with the lure of a blank page and just WRITE on it – its like the first steps you take in virgin snow………get writing – cover that page with ANYTHING just to get yourself into the discipline of writing! The fine tuning and content can come later.
Cherryl
π» I love the way you conveyed this – and completely agree, just write!
Peter Ogg
Hi my tip is don’t be put off by negative feedback. There are some nasty people out there happy to trash even the nicest thing you could ever say about anything.
Cherryl
Hi Peter, yes, I guess you have to learn to brush it off – thankfully those people are usually in the minority π
Cherryl
Unfortunately yes – you’re right, writers need to develop a thick skin and just keep going βοΈ
Cat S (@HattiesPincush1)
Check your work several times, then ask someone else to read over it as I find it so easy to read what I intended to write, rather than what is actually typed on the page.
Cherryl
Yes – me too, I’ve heard it’s a good idea to leave it for a day and then come back to it, you read it differently after a break…
Cherryl
Yes – that’s typical – probably best to take a long break away from it and then come back to proof read with a fresher perspective π§
Meryl Thomas
Always read and reread your work
Cherryl
Yes – a golden rule π
Nicola Smith
#writingtips I often start to write in no particular order,you didnβt ha e to start fro the beginning of the story
Cherryl
Very true – probably makes it harder if you try and force it.
Cherryl
Couldn’t agree more – Just get it all written and re-arrange later if need be π
JohnRH
Great opening quote, great tips. I like #1 & 2. Insightful to me.
popsiclesociety
Very useful! I’m glad you’re closer to find yours π Happy day!
Cherryl
Thanks for reading – well I might have a long way to go yet lol, but I’m sure it will be a fun journey! π
pvcann
I would have been nodding my head all through this, so agree with points made.
Cherryl
That’s reassuring – sounds like we got some good advice π€
pvcann
It sure does, and what a great opportunity. π
Lyndall Hill
Thanks for broadening my horizons, Cherryl.
Cherryl
Thanks for reading Lyndall, glad you took something from the brief reflection above. If you get to attend similar sessions – they will broaden you horizon’s more than I can π€ it’s very useful and insightful when established professional writers are willing to share their opinions and expertise with us.
Helen Devries
So tp evacuate a building you have flashing signs…free wine this way…leading to the emergency exits.
Cherryl
Haha – yes, absolutely – the building would be evacuated more quickly than if there was a fire!!
π€£π·
Victoria Ray NB
True π good advices! π
Sheree
Fascinating insight!
Cherryl
It absolutely was Marie!!! E.g. I think learning more about a writer and their life puts a whole different spin on how I absorb their work. Gary’s background includes a very strong political/activist thread – and that strong sense of ‘stance’ shines through in his work π
Have a great day π
Sheree
Thanks Cherryl, you too.