William, I discovered the voice in others and in myself, that I wasn't even aware I was putting out. It is true, it seems magical.

Hi Gary, Thank you for dropping by. You certainly have one Gary and it is magical the way you capture ones imagination. One might say it is a voice as smooth as velvet.

William, So, so true. I have not been able to project my writing voice as often as I wish to, because of personal and business life. However, I love and have enjoyed reading others posts.

Man, You have a wonderful voice , it is optimistic, hopeful and a wonderful read. You are a true professional and it shows in everything you do.

William,
I try and write in a way that I express being free to happy.  I love positive posts and strive to be able to add to AR in a positive way.

Hi Laura, I just went to your blogs and you have a wonderful positive air about your writings. You might say your posts " enable consumers to make their own best decisions". Well done.

I would invite you to also visit our Internet Empowered Consumer group. The posts in that group, speak clearly to answering the consumers most import question and that is " What's In It For Me". I think you will add a lot to group.

Here's my voice .....woooohoooooooo! lol!  Hi William....it's your unique heartfelt way that you convey your message that I've always admired.  ....that keeps me coming back :)

WooooooooooooooHooooooooooooooo, You are so sweet. Is that my Voice you are describing? It certainly is yours. And it keeps me right where you are.

PS, I hope you understood my message today ?

Hi William- Today I had no blooging voice...I just wrote Localism stuff....about my area.  That's OK once in awhile, but I find it pretty boring myself :)  Ahhh but I had a plan....and tomorrow I am writing a real Post....a real Kathy one....enough Localism for me for the week :)

William - Very interesting and upbeat post. At the beginning of reading it I felt a bit of envy because I can pick out the unique voice in your writing, and in many others, but I know I haven't hit my stride yet. 

Then I read:

"Be assured, over time as you write more and more , you will also develop this uniqueness in your self, a special something that identifies who you are as the blogger you have become."

I felt much better after I read this and realized it is foolish to think you will be excellent at something right out of the gate. Everything I have done well in my life took some time to develop so I am optimistic that the voice will come.

Thanks for the thought provoking post.

-Al

Woo Hoo Kathy, Tomorrow will a hallmark day! Localism stuff can get that way because we are are close to it but consumers still see it a fresh and novel. The real Kathy always shines through and that is voice. One that resonates with integrity and great care.

 Hi William, good question but not so easy to answer. Re "Are they more of an authority on the subjects they write about or is there still something you can't quite put your finger on but that you are confident it exits?"...

 For me it's probably a variety of reasons. #1 would be what I'm getting out of it, I don't have time to waste so I usually just read bloggers I can learn something from. Sometimes it's entertainment value, I try to balance fun with work to keep my sanity. ;-)  Have a great weekend!

Hello Al, ( see I remember)

The real truth is we are all a 'work in progress' and as our writing voice develops is so fascinating to watch how the real us comes out and we practically rediscover ourselves. Our passions, our interests and all there is on our lives. From what I can tell, you are well on your way. 

Hi Marti, I can really appreciate  and accept what you said. But as a writer and communicator and master marketing expert, you have an extraordinary advantage as your writing voice is as total expert and all who have read and gotten to know you, you are right on the money. You have a gift that most of us could not ever possess. At least in the sense that you possess it. But because you share that gift, you teach us how to apply and we get the benefit of the desired results. That is a gift and that is also magical !

Hi William, interesting post!  Isn't it interesting how you develop a fondness for some bloggers, and you steer away from others instinctively... and you haven't even met them!!  There are those who truly want to contribute to and help others (like you), and there are those who just love to hear the 'sound' of their "it's all about me" voices.  The very nice aspect of this type of communication is that you can just *ignore* those who you intuitively know you don't want to waste your time on.  I gravitate more every day toward those with creative gifts and talents that can't be 'manufactured' --e.g., Marti Garaughty-- (marketing, photography) for enjoyment than to those with a gift of gab.   And it's a big WOW when someone reaches out to get to know you because they like the 'sound of your voice!'  Now that is a gift!

William, There is certainly an "it" factor with most of the "popular" bloggers. In my opinion a lot of it has to do with consistency and persistency. By this I mean that we know what to expect when we click over to their blogs. They are consistent with what they write. Another thing that I have noticed is that the "top bloggers" all seem to be very giving. Their articles are mostly written to help others in their business.

And finally it's their personalities that shine through. They write in a manner that's very honest and easy to read. When I was reading this post I was waiting for the dreaded "FIND your voice" phrase, fortunately you didn't write it!!! I've always thought that if we are trying to find our voice then what we "find" may not be our true voice. Our voice is not lost. It's not something we need to find. It's who we are. You don't need to look for it you need to let it out.

Very good post William.

Enjoyed your post--it is so true that some AR members have special abilities.  I'm still trying to perfect mine.

Writing voice, speaking voice, blogging voice, family voice, telephone voice, working voice. . .

All the same. 

"I am what I am".  Popeye.

As I do in 'real' life, I tend to hang with positive, intelligent people for the obvious reasons. I enjoy their company, much as I do yours, William. There are many good bloggers here and it is easy to feel I know them and I am connected in some way. Like Lynn said above me, "all the same". Thank you.

William,

"Is it their unique way they have of expressing  something that reels you in..." This is you my friend, you are one of the most expressive members in the rain! You constantly give of yourself, your time, your knowledge sharing with so many of us.

Congrats on the feature!

Hi William,

Congrats on another golden post!  Your voice has always been true.  We're still working on ours after two years but I've always thought the joy was not in the destination but rather in the journey itself!

Lisa

William, one thing I would add is how does it read. I have noticed your blogs beside being articulate, are also grammar and spelling checked. You can read an entire thought at one time. I know that it may seem archaic for some of our younger bloggers, but I know that people of my generation do put stock in a well written sentence. Of course, I am just an old man who was once taught how to diagram a sentence and participated in spelling bees. Great post sir. *I find it interesting that the spell check doesn't recognize blog. LMAO

Writing requires quiet time, introspection, creativity, diligence, and a host of other skills that we may not use on a daily basis in the sales profession -- we only use skills that are immediately needed at the time.  I need to dig a bit deeper and discover a bit more about myself if I'm going to write.  ~Evelyn

It appears that what come natural to some individuals, other have to work at it. Like myself I have to practice, practice, and practice. One day hopefully people would envy me  on my blogging style.~ Roy

Excellent post -- we all have that voice, and you're right...it's the expression of it that allows it to grow.   Thanks!

I think "seasoned" bloggers are able to add a little spice to a topic and make it a little more flavorful.  It' s similar to two cooks following the same recipe.  One turns out an ordinary dish.  The master chef adds  a few finishing touches and creates a masterpiece. 

Awesome post I think I am still trying to find my voice as a blogger but I am sure the more I post the better I will become.

You are a "seasoned blogger" and I'm getting there. This is a great post and you have good instincts.  I am only about 1 1/2- 2 months into the Blogging thing and am enjoying it and finding my blogging voice.

Hello Susie-thank you for sharing your wondeful  perspective and enhancing this post.

Hi Bryant- You certainly have the " It"  factor.  I surely agree that a person should not try to find what they already have and you are so correct that they needn't look for it.  It's more that it is developed to a level of maturity. More the develop by using it. I also discovered that the way we think about things over time begins to show through.

The temptation for a new blogger is to attempt to appeal to what they perceive others would most like.  But when you will write what's true, infromational, entertaining, enlightened, etc.., you begin to reflect who you are and people don't just want news articles or passages from books, they want the article in the context of "Who YOU are".  And that is reflected is how you see things, or how you might rationalize this or that.

When the post, no matter the content, begins to connect the way the content is expressed with the writer, I think it is then that you best begin the building of a more complete base of blog subscribers.

If two , ten, or even a hundred write about the same subject,( and they often do on the very same same days if it is a news item ) you would notice that just a few actually capture your imagination because their 'Voices' come through as opposed to just words on a page.

And we can all get there. We do that best when we understand that we need not look for a voice or style but to enhance our own natural writing as a way of expressing it as, "What we have to say verbally but in written form".

I am always honored when you visit my posts with your enlightened commments and I know I am always better for the lesson you share everytime you do that.

Hi Lenn, Your point is so well made. Even if perceived to be different. They all reflect who we are as individuals. That why we can each bring something unique to blogging , because there is only one of each of us and we are always different.

Do you remeber this, since you mentioned Popeye. "For a hamburger today, I'll gladly pay you Tuesday".     Wimpey :-)

You definitely have the "voice" and terrific writing style.

I like to read articles that are informative, helpful, and leave me feeling good, inspired and upbeat!  Thank you for the inspiration.  

If I may be sold bold to say ... a very handsome writer as well.

Hi William,
I always enjoy your voice, I'm trying to decide if you are a baritone, bass or tenor----I guess baritone.

Hello David, I totally agree with your comments. I also know of one well known blogger in the real estate world that I found I didn't care for. Certainly not that this person doesn't write well, this person does, but I don't care for this person's cynicism about the profession and other professionals. I find that when one concentrates on the negatives of the others, I usually avoid that type of person. What I find even more unusual is that this person has a very strong and wide subscriber base. I read this person for a while and when I begin becoming a bit cynical, I unsubscribed. I observed that many of this person's subscribers were drawn in because of this persona's ability to create controversy and lots of attention.

I have a very strong perception of you David that you think along the lines I do. We look for the positive to share and not the negative to stand us apart from others.  And I would feel equally confident that your clients love working with you. Your smile alone would brighten any day.

Happy Sunday Lynda, Your comments surely made my day. I hope I can live up them. I love how you always have such an uplifting comment when you come to my posts, and I am sure others as well. I smile now, just at seeing you left a comment and can't wait to get there.

In your real estate career Lynda, you do the same things because it is who you are. If I owned a brokerage, I would want my agents to pass the Lynda test. Professional, knowledgeable, articulate, well versed and one that makes me appreciate the value of being alive. Little wonder your clients adore you so much. You are so very special!

William,

I really dont analyze how ans what other bloggers do or don't do...i just try to write a mixed bag and if people like it they will read and comment...if not then I guess I don't know what to think.

Hello Diane, You are a wonderful writer and I love to read your offerings here on ActiveRain. I have numerous times and probably didn't leave a comment. I love Hilton Head Island. Is so totally magnificent and the visuals are so wonderful. As well as you write you could very well teach blogging.:-)

William--Bravo! I love it when people try to explain VOICE to writers and bloggers...you did an excellent job. Voice is not taught. It is something inside you. Good post!

William,

My problem is my voice is boring. Can I borrow yours? :)

Thirty eight featured posts. Wow. Congratulations on this one.

Richard

Hello Lisa and Robert You are surely correct about the journey part of your comment. But you needn't work to perfect voice though, you have already allowed it come through quite well.

You might consider taking a look at our Internet Empowered Consumer group since you do so well at answering the consumers most important question, "What's in it for me". Your localism posts are excellent and you would offer a lot to our group.

Thanks you so much for dropping by and I read profile, read through some of wonderful articles and feel you offer a great deal to the consumer and our ActiveRain members as well.

Hi Fred, I rather think of you as wise, certainly not old. I have much of what you have written lately and it is marvelous. Great information and hopefully other taker the cue that they should be including you in their list of excellent writers.

Allow me if you will to share something with you. If you are using Internet Explorer or even FireFox as your browser, they have add on tools such as spell checker. Why I like them is that I can add words that I often use and words not easily found in the AR spell checker, like Blog, Blogger, Blogging, etc. It is right on my tool bar and I use it a lot.

I also bought a program called WhiteSmoke. Whitesmoke.com if you are interested. It is wonderful program to check grammar , word use, spelling etc and the F2 command works in any program , online or off. It is writer's tool and I will be sharing it in post I have been working on for a while now. Collecting great links to outside resources. Tons of them found here through out ActiveRain but not all in one place. So my post is about links to useful resources. When I am corresponding to consumers, I use whitesmoke religiously. I often write e-mails they I am thinking and it is not always the best communication for consumers. Whitesmoke checks it out and gives me alternatives.

Weeding through the myriad of stuff here on ActiveRain though is quite time consuming and I am sharing as many of the really good links that I can find. I will most likely miss more than I can include but so far the ones I have included are really excellent. I might finish this week so watch for it Fred.

PS, I hadn't reviewed my post very well last night when I posted it. I was really tired. When they featured it , I wanted to re-read it and see what was good about it. I found so many mistakes I was actually embarrassed. I had to fix a number of errors,lol. I usually never post without the double check but I sure found some things to repair.

William - I have noticed that your voice is directed to whoever is reading - when I read your posts, it seems as if you are talking directly to me.  I think that is a talent, not a skill.

Your voice comes through on your comments on other posts, as well.  I can usually tell it is your comment before I get down to your name.

I don't have my blogging voice yet - one day it will come.

Hi Evelyn, Please don't use the words " if I am going to write. You are doing very well, especially with your localism Listings posts. Try writing about some of the many experiences you have had and some of the counseling you naturally give your clients. That would be excellent to read to as well. You have nothing to worry about, just keep it flowing. You are well on your way and doing very well indeed.

Hi William...Congratulations on the feature! From the comments I read this was very encouraging to a lot of people!

The people I read I read because their personalities shine through...and I know I would like them personally, they write really well (I love good writing and miss Lanza) or because They have really good insight and/or knowledge. I love smart people!....that pretty much covers it (by the way, you fit all three)

I know that voice is in there somewhere and it keeps talking to me but still find it tough to get it out exactly the way I want but will keep trying. Thank you for you eloquent post as usual.

sometimes it is just how much time you have to blog.  there are some newbies who are pretty darn good!  with me.... it comes down to time.  I have it or I dont.  You can tell what kind of day it is by my blog with both size, and shape!  however... everyone keep on bloging.  It is great.  You do not have to be a journalist, a write, but just a bloger!

I like what Lenn said, all the voices are our voice, but I think it takes a while before we realize what our "voice" truly "sounds" like. Blogging consistently helps you realize your voice. I'm a writer at heart, and until David Childress gave me a motivational shove to blog more, I had no concept of how much I would adore blogging. Lately it's getting even better, meshing real estate info with my personality and putting it out for the general public.

When it works, it's truly a thrill.

donno what that seasoned something is, but voice is part of it, and it better be one that's not negative or angry. otherwise that will flow through ones fingertips. it's a gentle, informative place, that blog muse...

cheers

oh yeah, and polite too! (one sees that all of the time here... with the seasoned ones, whomever they are.)

Hi Roy, thanks for sharing your view.  With your particular profession, you will be providing a wonderful array of posts that deal with why people need to have professional inspections when buying their homes. I sense that you will providing a lot of great information. I can't give advise other than I would share as much anecdotal information as you run into only a daily basis. I suspect you as a writer will be much sought after. That day of envy appears to be very near for you. That would not be my particular goal but judging from what I have read, you will be providing some great information and guidance.

Hi Li Read, I think you said it exactly right. Thanks for dropping by.

Hello Tim, What a wonderful analogy. Thank you so much for sharing that. I loved your comments. Right on!

Your generous help and advise is greatly appreciated.  Thanks again

Hi Justin, You needn't look for your voice, just be ready to acknowledge it when it becomes apparent to you. You already have everything inside that will come out as your voice. You are correct that as you write and challenge yourself more, it will be obvious to others maybe before even obvious to you. You will feel it and give greater emphasis.

Hi Sheila, You won me over already with just a couple of your posts Sheila, I love the way you write. You will end up being one of top bloggers here on ActiveRain. All the best!

William, I'm not sure which I have enjoyed more, your post, or your wonderful, uplifting comments you have been leaving for everyone.  I go through spurts, I think, in writing. I need to start writing down my ideas when I get them and post about them later, possibly?  My voice is hoarse right now:)

William -

I found your blog to be written with a smooth touch of charm! I hope you write your loved ones sweet notes to make them feel the kindness we get to witness what we do here in the rain! You have given us all something to strive for and yes, a voice! You have to just love this community journey we are all on together! Thanks for "GIVING" me some pointers to ponder - I just love to be inspired!

Hi William.  I enjoyed reading this.  Loved your title and graphics.  I'd never thought about the "magic" before, but have actually felt it over and over.  I love many different bloggers for different reasons.  There are so many!  I've actually been so overwhelmed by their knowledge and expertise, combined with many of my old photos turning to red boxes, that I've neglected my blog!  Hope to put "Humpty Dumpty" back together again! 

Bill,

Great post and exactly what I am going through.  I have changed jobs again and off to new things - I briefly reference the change in my profile - but will be writing more soon.  Glad to see you are still going strong.

My VOICE has missed blogging and now that I have been here just for the weekend, I can tell you that I am back - with a vegence...

John

Hi William -- This is a very interesting post.  I think you really have a lot of insight -- the voice is already within -- Your voice has reached many -- thanks for the inspiration.

Hi Kathleen, Wow, Thanks you so very much for that confidence booster. That was one really beautiful set of words in your comment. Thanks you so much, I am a bit red faced at all the compliments. But I am also grateful that I am maturing as a writer and I am better able to express myself, it is just evolving and I am pleased that it is. But I get blocks all the time and wonder how an going to do this and then it just comes, thankfully. And I do really work at it, while I know it is so natural for so many others. But I want to write and I want to be a significant writer, useful and articulate all in the same the breath. It does require discipline to stay with it and in the end, maybe I will have contributed in some useful way and made a difference. And others may say if he can do it, so can I. And we will.

Hi Cynthia, I have no real way knowing but (suggesting it might be baritone) I would make no one ever listen ( at least to singing- I have perfect pitch in my head but it just doesn't come out that way,lol.). Listening to someone really moaning would be more pleasant,lol.

Hi Neal, I would suspect that maybe it is just simple and I probably think to much,:-) You have quite the following and you have a lot of experience and your mixed bag is rather awesome. So, I yield to your thinking on the matter. Experience knows. I do know I always feel special when you have read my posts and leave a comment.

Hi Teri, Thank You!, Remember when I was starting out , it was you, Jason and Sally that encouraged when I couldn't figure out what to do. And here you are practically my blogging mentor complementing me. You told me my Voice is already there, listen to it and follow it , it will lead you where you need to go. I did and here I am. Thank You for always having been there supporting me when I didn't quite understand.

Hi Richard, Your writing Voice is not boring at all. If you ever have a doubt, try writing with a smile. I am serious, try writing with a smile and watch what happens to the tone. Just a tip someone shared with me and I tries it and it works. On the top edge of my monitor screen it says," Smile, Others are depending on you and they may need a lift". When I smile, I am also uplifted.

And thank you. The hall mark in my writing, if there is one are the wonderful comments I get. I can't just a thank you, it needs to be personal because the comments are meaningful to me and I would never want to short change my readers. Hopefully I never do. Hopefully one day I will also be building client leads as well.

Hi Virgina, Your comments are awesome. Be assured you got it Virgina. Even if you have not recognized it as yet. I read and commented on one of you posts earlier and you demonstrate a lot of ability. What you bring forth in your local posts is very good. Stay with it, it gets better and better.

Hi Joan, Thanks you so much for those very kind and supportive words. We have become such good memebers of the mutual admiration society. Speaking of Voices, yours resonates with such clarity and sincerity. As a writer and a REAlTOR you are adored by so many, including me.

Hi Debbie, Thank you for dropping over and for your very kind comments. You can believe me when  I say this, you are doing wonderfully well. Over the next number of months you will see it starts to get lots easier. 

Hello JP, I read your profile and it is wonderful. I also read several of your posts and a wonderful person here on ActiveRain that I am so fond of is Sharon Simms, You write in a similar manner of her Musings from St. Petersberg. Look her up , she is an inspiring writer. Thank you so much for sharing your perspective.

Hi Dawn, David is so remarkable, isn't he. Both as a blogger and as a person. I really like him and he has so supportive of me. A fine fine person.

You are so right in your thinking to stay with it and I will check out your posts and be sure to comment for you. Actually I just read through about 8 or 9 posts and you are very good Dawn. Your most recent about your client was very special. God does answer all but in his time.

And your realestateshows gift to your client was wonderful. I have many of them. Stay with it, you are on your way to the destination you choose. Well done.

Hi Gary, Thanks you for dropping over and sharing your wisdom on this subject. From one of the Top bloggers here on ActiveRain and with your you own outstanding blog, I always feel somewhat privileged when you come over to say Hi and to share your experience. You are tops!