By Katy Kauffman @katykauffman28

Like a textbook. That’s how my writer’s voice sounded when I started to write my first book. I could write devotions that sounded like a one-sided conversation, but my book sounded academic like the textbooks I had in college—factual, cold, distant. I knew I couldn’t leave it that way.

How I would want the book to sound if I were the reader. I read one of my favorite non-fiction books again to see what I liked about the author’s voice, or tone. He came across as warm-hearted, concerned, and encouraging. Like he was in the boat with me encouraging me to keep rowing and pressing on toward God’s will for my life, instead of shouting at me from the shoreline.

When we write to encourage others, we want to sound like a friend, like someone who cares. Instead of presenting cold facts or how-to steps in our books, we can sound like we’re coming alongside the reader, encouraging them in their walk with God.

How do you like an author to sound when you’re needing help or encouragement? Write like that.

Here are some tips for developing a conversational voice in your writing. You may want to try one thing or all of them. Remember that learning how to write conversationally is a process. It doesn’t happen overnight, so don’t get frustrated. The time you take to write this way is worth every minute because it will make your writing more reader-friendly.

As you learn to write conversationally:

1. Don’t stifle your personality as you write.

There is only one you. Let your personality shine. Put away any notion that writers are supposed to sound stodgy or stuffy. Far from it. Readers are more likely to keep buying your books and reading your blog posts if they see personality and heart in your writing.

2. Picture the faces of your best friends as you write.

Remember that you’re writing to actual people instead of some ethereal audience. Picture your best friends sitting with you in a coffee shop, and start writing. What would you tell them about your topic? Write freely and then read the paragraphs. Did you sound conversational? If you need to add more details or supporting material, go back and insert that. As you write, remember that you write to real people with real joys, hurts, and needs.

3. Tape record yourself talking about your topic.

You may think, Oh no, I’m not going to record myself. But the goal isn’t to sound like an awesome speaker, but to merely record what you would say about your subject. What you would say, not write. Transcribe the tape, and see if there is a difference between your previous writing and the transcribed version. If so, keep using the recorder as long as you need to.

4. Read other people’s books and blogs, and take note of the types of words they use.

We may think that to be a writer, we have to wax eloquent. But what readers really want is to know the message that’s on your heart and how it helps them in everyday life. Read some other people’s writing and notice whether they wax eloquent or cut to the chase. Do they use everyday language for the most part and insert a “big word” here or there? Do they use poetic language in just the right spots as they describe something lovely or build to a climax? Pick your moments when you want to sound dramatic or poetic. Stay inspiring, but try to keep your language as down-to-earth as possible.

5. Lay aside the “technical” for a minute, and write from the heart.

Why is your topic precious to you? Try writing a short piece about your topic, and let the writing flow from your heart. Let your emotions emerge in what you write. Did your voice change? When you write from the heart, you may see that some of the “academic” falls away. Only you can write about something with your unique passion.

6. Find a writing friend who is willing to help you develop a conversational voice.

Ask your friend to read five short pieces of your writing and give you feedback about your voice. Write something short like a devotion (or short story if you write fiction), and send it to them. Adjust how you write based on your friend’s feedback. Over the course of the five pieces, you may see your voice emerge which you can use in your book. If your friend is still willing to work with you, rewrite a few pages of your book and ask for more feedback—did you keep your conversational tone?

As you develop your writing voice, allow God to steer you. Let your personality, experiences, and spiritual gifts shine as you seek to encourage other people.

Which of the tips above do you think would help writers the most to have a conversational voice? Tell us in the comments below!

Katy Kauffman is an award-winning author, an editor of Refresh Bible Study Magazine, and a co-founder of Lighthouse Bible Studies. Her first compilation, Breaking the Chains, won a 2018 Selah finalist award. Her second compilation, Heart Renovation: A Construction Guide to Godly Character, released this summer. Katy’s writing can be found at CBN.com, thoughts-about-God.com, PursueMagazine.net, two blogs on writing, in online magazines, and on devotional blogs. She loves spending time with family and friends, making jewelry, and hunting for the best peanut butter cookies. Connect with her at her blog and on Facebook and Twitter.