¿Cómo desarrollas tu voz narrativa en diferentes géneros?

Important to note: the word "storytelling" has been co-opted some. Where it OUGHT to mean "universal human impulse for authentic expression," it's too often come to be degraded into some way more tepid and toothless like "mouthing talking points of brand messaging." Which is not to say advocating for brand is inherently bad or wrong, I just think conflating terms like this erodes clarity and verges on the disingenuous/deceptive. But it remains possible to be an authentic storyteller in a professional setting - it demands self awareness, some clear boundaries between personal and professional, and lots of practice.

Developing my storytelling voice across different genres has been a dynamic process of adaptation and creativity. I start by understanding the core elements and expectations of each genre, whether it’s professional, motivational, or personal. From there, I tailor my tone, language, and style to fit the narrative's purpose. In professional settings, I focus on clarity and leadership, using data and examples to build trust. For motivational stories, I infuse positivity and future-oriented thinking, aiming to inspire. When it's personal, I focus on authenticity and connection, sharing relatable experiences. Looking ahead, evolving my storytelling voice to suit different audiences keeps my communication engaging, versatile, and impactful.

The concept of storytelling voice goes beyond simply writing as you speak. First, social media platforms often impose character limits, urging you to be economical with your words. A 280-character tweet can't capture the nuances of spoken conversation, but it can still reflect your unique voice if you choose words carefully. Second, format matters. Your voice in a video or podcast may differ from a short-form post due to length, medium, and audience expectations. Understanding the medium helps you adapt your voice accordingly. Ultimately, your storytelling voice should always be tailored to your audience for maximum impact.

Do you know why "Shahrazad" was an amazing storyteller? Because her expression and voice were unique. What made her unique? Her creativity in keeping the audience curious. If you are a storyteller but no one knows your voice and style, you are not a storyteller. You will become anonymous that easily. Your storytelling voice is derived from your emotions, your creative ideas for telling your story, and your unique personality that you express to your audience through words. You need to know what writing style and narrative style to use for each genre.

For instance, imagine you're writing a travel blog. Your storytelling voice might be vibrant, filled with enthusiasm, and infused with descriptive language to transport readers to the destinations you're exploring. On the other hand, if you're crafting a professional report, your voice may lean towards clarity, objectivity, and concise expression to convey information effectively. The key is adapting your voice to suit the context while maintaining authenticity and a connection with your audience.

Adapting your voice to different genres is something we actually practice every day, sometimes without even realizing it. Consider the punchline in a funny story you share with friends—that's one kind of storytelling voice. Relaying a tragic event demands another, more somber tone. We're hardwired for this sort of flexible communication. We can leverage this natural aptitude for narrative to elicit specific reactions like empathy, humor, or anger. The point is to be mindful of it. Know your audience and the emotional response you're aiming for, then craft your voice to suit that goal. It's not just about adhering to genre conventions; it's about harnessing your innate storytelling abilities to make the most impact.

This is about be open and receptive to dancing with your audience. Whereby you are tailoring and rescinding to their reactions and needs. Still remaining true to your core and voice, you can adjust and deviate based the scenario. As humans, we do this all the time in communications - and for me - storytelling IS communication ... so the same applies.

To paraphrase Whitman, we all contain multitudes. I'd adjust this question from "How to adapt…" which connotes a (perceived) need to mutate/contort ourselves to suit the context, to something closer to "What part of my expressive self should I access to best serve my communicative goals here?" While yes, it is important to form a sound conception of the rules and tropes of whatever form, I'd argue it's more important to learn your own unique VERSION of expressing yourself in the form. "Comedy story" is sufficiently broad to be a meaningless category - if the comedic manner natural to me is bookish and dry in the style of John Hodgman, it will make no sense for me to attempt the sly, transgressive bawdiness of Sarah Silverman.

Knowing the types of genres for storytelling will help you know which way you should travel into the stories. Two examples make this more clear. 1- The audience of fantasy stories does not expect you to narrate a story in the style of a drama. It may be boring for them. In fantasy style, you are looking for a new, unique, different atmosphere, full of surprises and accurate description of the scenes. They have come to see an exaggerated atmosphere. 2- In a drama story, what is important for them is not exaggeration, but accurate expression of human emotions. The audience of this style is looking for the truth of an incident or an event.

Understand the core of each genre. Immerse yourself in different genres first. Read extensively in each genre you wish to explore. Before you can effectively write in different genres, it’s crucial to understand their distinct characteristics, tropes, and reader expectations. Whether it's the suspense of a thriller, the emotional depth of a romance, or the imaginative realms of science fiction, immerse yourself in these stories to grasp their unique elements.

One way to gauge whether your metaphorical voice is right for you is to use your literal voice: read your story out loud. If you are able to read what you've written smoothly and naturally, you've probably found a voice that works for you. If you find you stumble over words, your sentences sound stilted or overwrought, or you can't find a rhythm, you probably haven't found your written voice.

Exercises to cultivate a cross-genre writing voice: GENRE ITERATIONS: Write a short story, then rewrite it in other genres. Try retelling “Goldilocks & the Three Bears” as:  • Historical fiction  • Dystopian thriller  • Superhero/anti-hero  • Steampunk romance IMITATE VOICES: Choose cross-genre excerpts and write pieces imitating their styles to understand how elements of voice function. Some authors and the lessons their prose offers:  • JRR Tolkien: Archaic, formal style rich in mythology and linguistic depth  • Margaret Atwood: Straightforward narratives with complex themes  • Stephen King: Conversational, unpretentious narratives blending the mundane with supernatural  • Toni Morrison: Lyrical prose, rich in metaphor Have fun! 😁🖤

Another way to improve your storytelling voice is by revisiting older stories. When you read the feedback on older stories in different genres, you get insights on how you can practice and work on your weaknesses and strengths.

Refining your storytelling voice is an ongoing journey. Words are the brushes on your creative canvas, each carrying its own hue of meaning. Experimenting with tone is like fine-tuning your instrument, exploring the symphony of emotions and atmosphere you can create. I particularly love the idea of retelling a story from the perspective of a television character – it's like viewing a familiar landscape through a new lens, and it can lead to surprising and delightful transformations in the narrative.

You just need to be a professional storyteller to improve your storytelling voice. You should read books in different genres. As you read, you will know what style you like. When you find your preferred style of storytelling, you will also become familiar with the structure and tone of the writing. You know what makes a story more interesting and engaging for the audience. This doesn't mean you imitate, but it helps you know which way to travel when writing your ideas. After writing, it will definitely be very important to share and receive the opinions of professionals about your story content. They are good critics for your story. It is better to get help from their ideas, but continue your own path separately. No need to imitate.

For inexperienced writer/storytellers, there's a second-guessing tendency toward (call it, say) Audience Expectation Triangulation, by which I mean they become so consumed with a projected/imagined sense of what a reader/listener wants they can lose all sense of what they intended to say in the first place. As a consequence of this - understandable, certainly, since we're all insecure/wish to "do well" - tendency, the resulting text/presentation has the unfocused feel of an A.I. collage/pastiche. Far better to be BOLDLY wrong. Writing/storytelling of whatever form in whatever context is necessarily the result of an INDIVIDUAL intelligence endeavoring to make itself known, NOT formless, focus-grouped inoffensiveness.

Don't try to be someone else. The more you incorporate other influences, the more you will lose yourself. Be inspired by others ... but don't try to become them.

To nail your voice, →Tap into your heart →Keep it straight, and →Own your words. Imagine fitting into your go-to jacket, snug and just right feeling

A good story should have a clear flow and should shift from one part to another almost effortlessly. Keeping it clear yet engaging is the key. It requires a fine balance of value, information and a good strategy. The easiest way to know if your story format is good can be by ‘reading it aloud’ as you get a clear idea if the flow makes sense.

"Saadi" is one of the best story tellers in the world . He is an Iranian poet and writer. His style of storytelling is amazing. His expression is very simple, intimate and short. He lived 800 years ago, but people live with his stories. The first principle in storytelling is to write clearly and simply, like water flowing down a hill after the snow melts. It means that the audience can follow the flow of your story and that your content is clear and clean. Your voice in storytelling is unique to you. Maintaining consistency in your own voice is an essential principle in a story. Mixing genres, complicated writing, long writing, imitation, dealing with secondary topics, etc. can be one of the biggest mistakes for a storyteller.

Creating your own unique voice for storytelling can be done in two ways: 1- Reading all kinds of storytelling styles and mastering the techniques and features of these styles and choosing your favorite style from one of them. 2- Paying attention and giving strength to your inherent characteristics in expressing words and speaking style. It is your art to do with practice and passion. Storytelling is both an inherent art and a practiced skill. If these two are combined, you may be the other princess of your world.

Many new writers spend more time and effort than is useful trying to develop their voice. Trying too hard creates a forced voice. Your voice will develop naturally the more you write. If you are writing in first person and trying to find a voice for your narrator, it may be helpful to imagine an actor or celebrity saying the words. Frances McDormand, Christopher Plummer, and Rihanna will all 'sound' different when telling the same story. Channel your narrator and they will tell you what words you need to put on the page for them.

Finding your storytelling groove in different genres is like being a DJ at a wild party. Start by jamming to various genres, read all kinds of stuff to catch those vibes. Dive into writing in different styles; it is like trying out new dance moves. Your unique storytelling voice pops up when you're having a blast. It's like stumbling upon your favorite song in a massive playlist. So, keep mixin' it up, see what clicks, and let your storytelling swagger shine in all the genres you vibe with!

use a structure to delivery your storytelling - this in itself will help you to identify your voice and delivery. Always keep the core principals - or layers as I call them in my storytelling model (the sprout model) - this will guide your story. Be sure to know the impact you want to make, the people that you are telling the story to, set starting context and direction, move into the main event and what in particular it is you are addressing, then bring clarity, conclusion and a lasting impression to the end point ... not forgetting to nurture the story with creativity, energy and perspective.

a. Explore personal experiences: Draw inspiration from your own life experiences, perspectives, and emotions to infuse authenticity into your storytelling voice. b. Identify themes and motifs: Reflect on recurring themes, motifs, or values that resonate with you, as they can serve as the foundation of your storytelling voice. c. Embrace vulnerability: Be willing to be vulnerable and explore your own truths and vulnerabilities in your writing, as it can deepen the emotional resonance of your voice. d. Experiment and iterate: Don't be afraid to experiment with different styles and approaches until you find a voice that feels true to you.

Developing a storytelling voice in different genres requires research and in depth knowledge of the genres. For example the way you word your story will be different when it’s data centric. Similarly the format of the story varies depending on if the genre is technical or informal.

Just remember that all communication is an opportunity storytelling. The moment you view it through that lens you can really open yourself up to enhancing the impacts you can have every day through your life. Storytelling is not just for that big moment.... it is for the every moment. Stories. Change. Lives.

a. Reader engagement: Consider how your storytelling voice impacts reader engagement and connection with your narrative. b. Evolution of voice: Recognize that your storytelling voice may evolve over time as you gain experience and confidence as a writer. c. Flexibility: While developing your own voice is important, remain open to feedback and willing to adapt your voice as needed to suit different storytelling contexts or audience preferences.

Experiment and Evolve. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Take risks and experiment with new genres. Each genre you explore will add layers to your storytelling voice, making it richer and more versatile. Experimenting with different genres can lead to unexpected discoveries about your storytelling capabilities.

Maintain Core Elements of Your Voice. While adapting to different genres, certain core elements of your voice—such as your unique perspective, stylistic choices, and thematic preoccupations—should remain constant. These elements are what make your storytelling uniquely yours and can create a signature style that readers recognize.