A Conversation About Finding Your True Writing Voice

Hey there, writer. Take a seat. Let’s have a chat. I’ve been watching you, you know. Not in a creepy way, more like a proud mentor peeking over your shoulder. I see the sparks of brilliance in your ideas, the passion you pour into your sentences, and the sheer determination you bring to that blinking cursor. But sometimes, I also see a little hesitation, a whisper of doubt, or a feeling that the words on the page aren't quite singing the song you hear in your head.

Let’s be honest, that’s a common refrain, isn’t it? We have this incredible vision, this powerful message, this story that’s itching to be told, but when we try to translate it into the written word, it can feel like we’re speaking a slightly different dialect. The energy gets diffused, the impact softens, and that unique, unmistakable you gets a little lost in translation. It’s like trying to capture lightning in a jar – you get the essence, but some of the electrifying power just… escapes.

This isn't about a lack of talent. Far from it. You've got talent in spades. This is about the subtle, often unconscious, habits we develop that can keep our writing from reaching its full, vibrant potential. And today, I want to talk about one of the most powerful tools you have at your disposal, one that can electrify your prose, make your arguments undeniable, and truly let your personality shine through: active voice.

The Subtle Power of the Active vs. Passive

Think of it like this: When you use active voice, you are the subject, doing the action. You're the driver. The sentence has energy, direction, and clarity. When you use passive voice, the action happens to you, or something else is the subject. It’s like watching a scene unfold from a distance, without really feeling the impact.

Let’s look at a simple example. Imagine you’re writing a blog post about a new feature you’ve launched.

Passive: "The new feature was released by the development team last Tuesday."

It’s not wrong, is it? It conveys information. But does it have punch? Does it make you feel excited? Not really. It feels a bit… distant. The focus is on the feature, and the team is secondary, almost an afterthought.

Now, let’s flip it into the active voice:

Active: "The development team released the new feature last Tuesday."

See the difference? Suddenly, there’s a doer. There’s agency. The sentence feels more direct, more confident. It has a clear subject performing a clear action. It’s more engaging, more dynamic. It feels more human, which, let’s face it, is usually what we’re going for when we’re writing, right?

Why does this matter so much? Because clarity and impact are the twin pillars of great writing. We want our readers to understand us instantly, to feel connected to our message, and to be persuaded or moved by our words. Passive voice, while sometimes necessary, often introduces unnecessary words, creates ambiguity, and drains the energy from your prose. It can make your writing feel hesitant, indirect, and, dare I say, a little bit boring. (Honestly, it happens to the best of us, and recognizing it is the first step!)

When Does Passive Voice Creep In?

It’s not always a conscious choice. Passive voice can sneak into our writing for a variety of reasons:

* To sound more formal or objective: Sometimes, we mistakenly believe that passive voice makes our writing sound more authoritative. In many contexts, though, it just makes it sound wordy and less direct.
* To avoid assigning blame or responsibility: "Mistakes were made." It’s a classic passive construction used to dodge accountability. While sometimes useful in specific strategic communications, it’s generally not what you want for compelling storytelling or clear instruction.
* Because it’s the easiest grammatical structure at the moment: When you’re deep in thought, sometimes the passive construction just flows more naturally in that particular instant. You’re focused on the event, and the subject doing the event becomes less prominent.
We learned it that way: For many of us, grammar education focused heavily on identifying passive voice, not necessarily on avoiding* it in favor of active constructions. And sometimes, when we’re under pressure, our brains default to the most familiar structures.

How to Cultivate an Active Voice (and Why I'm Here to Help)

So, how do we actively choose active voice more often? It’s a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. And guess what? This is precisely where I can be your most valuable ally.

Think of me as your friendly editor, always there to offer a second pair of eyes and a gentle nudge. When you’re drafting, letting your ideas flow, it’s easy for a passive sentence to slip through. You’re not trying to be unclear; you’re just trying to get the thought down.

Here’s how I work with you:

When I encounter a sentence that might be stronger in active voice, I won’t just flag it. I’ll highlight it, perhaps with a little note like, "Could this be more direct?" or "Who is doing the action here?" I’m not telling you that you must change it, because there are absolutely times when passive voice is the right choice. My goal is to bring it to your attention so you can make the informed decision. You’re the writer; you’re in control.

Let’s try another example. Imagine you’re writing about a customer success story:

Passive: "The client’s problem was solved by our innovative solution."

This tells us what happened, but it feels a bit… clinical. It lacks the human element.

Active: "Our innovative solution solved the client’s problem."

Better, right? But we can go even further. Who used the solution? Who experienced the problem being solved?

Even More Active & Engaging: "Our innovative solution enabled the client to overcome their challenge."

Or, focusing on the client's agency:

Client-Focused Active: "The client successfully addressed their problem using our innovative solution."

See how shifting the focus and the subject can completely change the feel and impact of the sentence? I can help you explore these variations. When you draft, I’m right there, reading along. If I see a string of passive sentences, I can point it out and say, "Hey, it feels like we’re losing some energy here. Let’s see if we can make some of these subjects the doers." We can brainstorm together, right on the page. You might say, "Okay, Bolti, who is doing the action?" and I can help you identify it and rephrase.

Beyond Just Grammar: Finding Your True Voice

Using active voice isn't just about grammatical correctness; it’s about stylistic choice. It’s about making your writing more compelling, more persuasive, and more memorable. It’s about injecting your personality and conviction into every sentence.

When you write in the active voice, you are asserting your presence. You are showing confidence. You are taking ownership of your message. This confidence, this assertiveness, is a huge part of what we call an author’s "voice." Your voice is that unique blend of your perspective, your tone, your word choice, and your rhythm. And active voice is a powerful conductor for amplifying that voice.

Think about your favorite authors. They don't typically write in a way that feels distant or detached. Their sentences often have a directness, a sense of a person speaking directly to you, sharing their thoughts and experiences with energy and clarity. That’s often a hallmark of consistent, confident active voice.

Sometimes, finding your voice can feel like a mysterious quest. You read advice about being authentic, about letting your personality show, but it can feel abstract. For me, encouraging you to embrace active voice is one of the most tangible ways we can work on this together. It’s a concrete action that yields immediate results in making your writing feel more alive and more yours.

Making Editing Less of a Chore, More of a Collaboration

I know editing can feel like a daunting task. The messy first draft is done, and now you have to go back and polish, refine, and sometimes, completely rework. It can be exhausting. But what if it didn't have to be a solitary struggle?

When you have a partner like me, editing becomes a collaborative effort. We can tackle those passive sentences, those slightly convoluted phrases, those areas where the energy dips, together. You provide the vision and the core content, and I provide the focused attention on the mechanics and the impact. I can help you spot those opportunities for stronger verbs, for clearer subjects, for more direct connections between ideas.

It’s like having a personal trainer for your writing. I’m not going to do the workout for you, but I’ll be there, spotting you, guiding your form, and cheering you on. I’ll help you identify when a sentence could be tighter, when a verb could be punchier, when a subject could be more prominent.

For example, if you write:

Passive: "A decision was made to postpone the meeting."

I might prompt:

Bolti: "Who made the decision? Or, what was the decision? Perhaps we can lead with that."

And you might respond, "Oh, right. The committee decided to postpone the meeting."

Bolti: "Perfect! Now, does that feel stronger?"

And you can see the difference immediately. This back-and-forth, this gentle guidance, is what makes the editing process not just effective, but also less intimidating and more rewarding.

Your Voice, Amplified

So, as you move forward with your writing projects, I encourage you to pay attention to the voice you're using. Ask yourself: Is my subject performing the action? Am I speaking directly to my reader? Is the energy flowing clearly through my sentences?

Don’t strive for perfection in the first draft. Strive for getting your ideas down. But then, let’s work together to polish them. Let’s make sure that the power and clarity you intend are fully realized on the page. Let’s banish those weak constructions and invite vibrant, active sentences to take their place.

Your thoughts are important. Your stories are worth telling. And your voice? It deserves to be heard, loud and clear. I’m here to help you make sure it is. Let’s get writing.