Apr 6, 20173 min read

Don't Write for Others; Write for Yourself

Rachel Summers, local newspaper reporter, British journalist, and a freelance creative writer and editor shares with us a few of her secrets to finding your creative style.

There is a secret that writers use all the time, no matter what kind of content they are creating. From creative writers to reporters, the practice of ‘writing for yourself’ is allowing people to create better, more creative, more inspiring, and more hard-hitting content.

If you’re looking to improve your writing skills, as a professional or a keen amateur, writing for yourself can help you write more truthful and impactful content.

Why Write for Yourself?

1. Establishing a Brand

Writing for yourself allows you to establish your own unique brand. When you stop focusing on an audience that is hugely varied, and worrying how you can please every one of them, you create a style of writing that is unique to you.

Over time, you will begin to notice a theme with your writing – and by nurturing that theme, you can establish a unique brand and identity that your audience will love. This helps you build an audience that respects the topics you write about, and the way in which you write. It’s a bizarre paradox that ultimately makes you a better writer and gives you a more dedicated audience.

2. No Self-Censoring

When you are concerned too much about what an audience might think, you may easily find yourself censoring sensitive topics and ideas. When you write for yourself, you remain true to yourself and your ideas, and this is such a powerful tool when you are writing. You won’t be missing off some of the most interesting and fascinating issues that could be discussed, and writers on sites like Business Insider and Medium use this method a lot.

Avoiding self-censorship and being truly honest brings out the best in you as a writer, and allows you to develop and hone your skills.

3. You Become Instinctual

Finally, writing for yourself allows you to become more instinctual. This is extremely powerful in writing, and it allows you to write content that is profound. The way that you think will translate into the way that you write, and instead of following strict guidelines that make you write in someone else’s style, you become an instinctual writer producing your very best stuff.

'the practice of ‘writing for yourself’ is allowing people to create better, more creative, more inspiring, and more hard-hitting content'

How to Write for Yourself

1. Issue Yourself Challenges

The first step in learning how to write for yourself is issuing yourself challenges. Look at your own unhealthy writing habits, and call yourself out. Make note of bad habits, and even write down some writing traits you would like to remove or improve.

Only by issuing yourself these challenges will you be able to change. Start making changes with sample content – content you don’t intend to release – and gradually begin to do it in the content you write for a wider audience. You can use the reaction of your audience as encouragement to continue improving your skills.

2. Let Yourself Rant

Ask yourself what upsets, frustrates and angers you. Find topics that affect you emotionally, and let yourself rant. You don’t have to publish what you write, but if you’re really happy with what you produce, there is nothing stopping you.

When you ask yourself what annoys you, and you write content that tackles the issue head on, you may even find an audience that shares the same concerns and grievances as you.

3. Problem Solve

Finally, take the issues that you are passionate about, and the grievances you hold, and attempt to solve those problems with your writing. Think of things that can be done to solve problems, and write your suggestions.

Remember, though – making up a problem really won’t help. Find a problem that you really are emotionally connected to. Writers at UK Top Writers use this method all the time, and you’ll be amazed how much it helps.