8 Advanced Strategies for Developing Your Writing Style

Practice eight advanced strategies for developing a stand-out writing style readers crave. 

By Julie Tyler Ruiz

CONTENTS:

• Overview
• 8 advanced writing style strategies 
• Final writing style thoughts

Overview

8 advanced writing style strategies

Use these strategies to cultivate a distinctive style that reflects your growth as a writer and individual.  

1. Improve clarity on the global level. 

Clarity is key to helping readers fully grasp the meaning and message of your work. While it's tempting to experiment with new forms and styles, clarity should always come first. Overloading your writing with multiple themes, literary devices, or colorful phrases can confuse readers and obscure your main point.

As we explored in the easy tips, aim for short, direct sentences and use precise language. To maintain clarity throughout the piece, focus on one central message or theme, and outline your ideas so they flow logically. 

2. Read books on writing style.

One of the best ways to refine your writing style is to read books dedicated to the craft. These books can provide you with:

• Valuable insights into grammar, syntax, diction, and the subtle nuances that shape strong writing.
• Concrete tips on how to craft sentences and structure your thoughts.
• Different approaches to organizing and expressing ideas in compelling ways.
• Exercises for discovering your own style.
• Guidance from seasoned writers, editors, and other publishing industry professionals.
• Ongoing inspiration for generating ideas and communicating effectively.

By reading, you'll not only improve your technical skills, but also gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry of writing. 

To help you build a powerful reading list, I've highlighted five popular books on writing style, along with Amazon purchase links for easy access. Take your time with these resources and enjoy the journey of reading and applying what you learn.

• William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White, The Elements of Style, 4th edition  
• William Zinsser, On Writing Well: the Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction 30th anniversary edition
• Lynne Truss, Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation
• Steven Pinker, The Sense of Style: The Thinking Person's Guide to Writing in the 21st Century
• John Gardner, The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers

3. Study the writing style conventions of your genre. 

Understanding the style conventions of your genre is essential to developing your writing. Every genre has its own accepted norms—whether it’s the fast-paced action of thrillers, the lush prose of literary fiction, or the concise, motivational tone of self-help books. To master your genre, first familiarize yourself with these conventions by reading widely. Pay attention to sentence structure, pacing, tone, and how authors connect with their readers.

Keep in mind: While it’s important to work within the boundaries of your genre, don’t be afraid to push the envelope. You might blend a more conversational tone, personal stories, or narrative-driven anecdotes into self-help nonfiction, or introduce storytelling elements to make your blog posts more engaging. By combining convention with innovation, you’ll create a style that’s both true to your genre and uniquely yours.

Here's an exercise: Choose two works from your genre—one that follows conventions closely, and one that takes risks. Compare their use of sentence structure, tone, and style. Then, experiment with one aspect of your writing where you can break from tradition and add your own unique twist.

4. Experiment with multiple styles. 

Once you've mastered clarity, which we covered in Strategy No. 1, you can begin to experiment with different writing styles and add your unique flair to each piece. These experiments offer several benefits:

• Discover new ways to express your ideas.
• Expand the range of your capabilities and become more versatile.
• Get out of a writing rut and escape comfort zone. 
• Discern between the styles you like and the ones you don't. 

Here's another benefit of trying out different styles: you develop agility, the ability to toggle between multiple styles and genres at ease. Imagine being so agile you could write a shocking expose of corruption in your hometown today, and then tomorrow you compose an enticing webpage to promote your startup company, and then the day after that, you draft a children's story about talking kittens. 

5. Tell the truth. 

Telling the truth is a cornerstone of developing a distinctive, impactful writing style. But what does “truth” mean in this context? It’s not just about presenting factual information, though that’s certainly part of it, especially in nonfiction. The truth in writing can also include your personal experiences, emotions, opinions, or a philosophical perspective on life and the human condition. Whether in fiction or nonfiction, bringing an authentic, honest voice into your work gives your writing a certain depth and resonance that readers are drawn to.

When you tell the truth in writing, your style naturally becomes clearer and more direct. There’s no need to hide behind overly complex language or evasive phrasing. Your sentences flow more smoothly, and the structure of your work becomes easier to follow, because the core ideas are rooted in honesty.

• In fiction, this might be about portraying authentic emotions or situations.
• In nonfiction, it could mean diving deeper into difficult or uncomfortable topics, revealing insights that readers might not expect.

The more you allow yourself to be real on the page, the more your writing will resonate with readers who appreciate the candor and vulnerability you offer. They won’t be able to look away because they’ll feel like they’re getting the “straight scoop,” a genuine connection with the truth you’re uncovering.

6. Write from your heart and soul.

Writing from your heart and soul is where you'll uncover the secrets to developing your stand-out style. It’s here, in the depths of your emotions and inner self, that your most authentic expression resides. Beyond your syntax, diction, and unique flair, your soul-level authenticity is what sets your writing apart, giving it a unique voice that resonates deeply with readers.

Here are two effective ways to access your authentic expression:

• Journaling: Make it a regular practice to sit down and write whatever comes to mind, without worrying about how polished your sentences are or what others might think. This is your private space to explore, where the pressure of an audience disappears, and you can be completely honest with yourself.
• Using writing prompts. Find prompts that push you to get at what's deep inside. Prompts can help you confront difficult emotions or memories—things you'd rather forget or haven't yet fully processed. They can also help you explore positive aspects of your life, like what you most appreciate about your loved ones or what you wish you could tell them. These exercises allow you to dive deep into your heart, producing writing that’s raw, real, and truly original.

Here are two of my best resources to help you dig into this level of self-expression:

• The SoulTruth Journal, a guided workbook, for writers and by writers, designed to help you tap into unlimited inspiration and discover your innate writing gifts. 
• Inspiration on Demand: 21 Creative Writing Prompts for Every Milestone, an article featuring prompts to push your boundaries.

By cultivating this deeper connection to your emotions and experiences, your writing will naturally evolve into something richer, more powerful, and unmistakably yours.

7. Get feedback from other writers. 

An essential step in developing your writing style is seeking feedback from trusted individuals in your network—including fellow writers, editors, coaches, or instructors. Having multiple fresh perspectives on your work can reveal what resonates, what’s working stylistically, and where there’s room for improvement. Getting more eyes on your work can help you see aspects of your writing style that you might overlook.

To gain deeper insight, ask your supporters pointed questions like:

• “What’s your general impression of the writing style?”
• “How would you describe the tone and voice in this piece?”
• "What stands out about my writing style?"
• “Can you point out any areas where the style feels inconsistent, awkward, or unclear?”
• “What suggestions do you have for polishing or strengthening my writing style?"
• "Does the style match the intended mood or message of the piece?"

By asking specific, targeted questions, you'll get actionable feedback that can help refine your style and elevate your writing.

Need help seeking feedback? I've got some resources for you:

• How to Get Feedback on Your Writing: a Practical Guide
• 4 Writing Feedback Examples to Help You Give (and Get) Better Critiques
• How to Give Writing Feedback Authors Crave: the Ultimate Guide
• Critique Letter Example: a Blueprint for Thoughtful Writing Feedback

8. Reflect and self-assess often. 

Taking the time to periodically reflect on your body of work is crucial to developing your writing style. By stepping back to measure your progress, you can identify what you’ve accomplished, what you love, and what still needs improvement. This kind of self-assessment allows you to see patterns in your writing and understand how your style has evolved over time.

While feedback from others is invaluable, cultivating the ability to self-assess with objectivity is just as important. As you become more aware of your strengths and weaknesses, you'll be able to face the areas that need improvement without flinching or feeling discouraged. At the same time, you can acknowledge what’s great about your writing without feeling the need to downplay your skills or let your confidence tip into arrogance. Striking a balance between humility and confidence allows you to improve continuously while celebrating your growth.

Here are a few exercises to help with self-assessment:

• Revisit your early writing: Compare your latest pieces to earlier works. Look for improvements in clarity, tone, and style. What has changed, and what remains consistent?
• Create a style inventory: Make a list of stylistic elements you’ve adopted over time—such as sentence structure, word choice, tone, and themes. Reflect on how each contributes to your unique voice.
• Review feedback from others: Collect feedback you've received and assess how your writing has evolved based on that input. Did you address the suggestions effectively, and what lessons can you still apply?

Regular reflection and self-assessment will keep your growth on track and help you refine your style into something truly remarkable.

Final writing style thoughts

Mastering these eight advanced strategies will help you shape a writing style that’s not only polished but uniquely your own. From breaking free of genre conventions and telling the truth to refining your work through feedback and self-assessment, each of these skills deepens your craft. As you incorporate them into your writing practice, you’ll see your style evolve into a powerful, authentic expression of your voice—one that resonates with readers and leaves a lasting impact. 

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