How to Project an Authentic Writer's Voice: The Importancve of Authenticity and Credibility

Being able to project an authentic writer’s voice is important for an entrepreneurial, freelance writer. A reader should be able to recognize the fact that the person speaking in a written work, is a specific writer.

What is vital in terms of surviving as a writer is the writer’s authenticity or credibility. It is a primary factor with respect to what influences readers in terms of their continuing readership.  

The article “Authentic Voice” suggests,

“When you read first – rate writing, you feel the presence of the writer. The Writer’s Character and sense of self permeate the writing and project authenticity. This writer, you think knows what he’s talking about and means what he says; you feel that only this particular writer could have written that particular piece – it is stamped with his personality. You are drawn in to this writer’s world and engage with it.” (http://www.english-for-students.com/Authentic-Voice.html)

According to dictionary.com, the word authentic means “not false or copied; genuine”, “having the origin supported by unquestionable evidence”, “entitled to acceptance or belief because of agreement with known facts or experience” or in terms of law, “executed with all due formalities”. It also has other implications in terms of music.

In other words, an authentic writer’s voice rings true in terms of its credibility and protects the writer's self or ego in terms of projection.

The word projection within its literary context is a “means of ego-defense in which the subject attributes its own unconscious motives and ideas to objects outside of itself.”

A writer’s voice speaks (or projects his or her voice) in terms literary projection, with thoughts and ideas that the reader confronts and consciously or unconsciously judges, in terms of their credibility. How can the authenticity of the written work or the author’s credibility be established and sustained?

Consider the following guidelines:

Contextual accuracy and consistency:

Contextual accuracy and consistency are vital to the credibility and authenticity of a writer’s work. The context of an article should remain accurate, consistent and relevant throughout the article. Literary inaccuracies and contextual inconsistencies or bouncing back and forth, causes readers to question a writer’s authenticity.      

Chronological accuracy:

Chronological accuracy places an article in a specific era. Throughout an article, unless the writer is into creative, time-related fiction, what he or she writes should not change from one era or time zone, to another. For the reader, chronological inaccuracies can cause frustration. Eventually, the reader gives up realizing that something is not right and questions the authenticity or credibility of the writer.     

Appropriate choice of words and phrases:

The appropriate choice of words and phrases in an article authenticates and lends credibility to a writer. Accurate spelling and correct grammar usage are important and lend credibility whille at the same time, increasing the writer’s authenticity. Search engine optimization (SEO) helps a writer to remain true to his or her own voice, as well as avoid loss of credibility or authenticity in his or her work.  

Accurate, verifiable research:

Quoting accurate, verifiable research in an article gives it, as well as the writer, increased credibility and authenticity. Note that research sources should be documented and verifiable. Including appropriate Internet links will increase the credibility of the article, as well as help to verify the authenticity of the writer. Plagiarism will affect the authenticity and credibility of the article and the writer in an adverse manner.      

Success as a writer depends upon a writer’s authenticity and credibility. Readers know when a writer is straying from his or her own voice and may fall away in disappointment. Authentic writers with consistent credible works that accurately reflect the writer’s voice, succeed.