I saw this quote in an e-newsletter from the Queensland Writers Centre (@qldwriters) a while ago, and it has stuck with me ever since. It is from Brisbane-based author of young adult fantasy and sci-fi novels Cody Hargreaves (@codyjhargreaves), who is also the QWC’s Program Officer.
“The biggest roadblock to finishing your first draft is losing confidence in your craft. A story can seem perfect in your head — but then you connect pen to paper, or fingers to keys, and the writing comes out looking flat.”
“The key to overcoming this is pinning down your style. Sentence structure, diction and voice all contribute to a writer’s unique style. Finding yours is the secret to making your writing electric; to bringing your pages to life.”
It makes me wonder what my writing style is. Interestingly, in recent weeks, I have also been pondering what my style is as a translator.
Sometimes you read even just a short paragraph from someone, and you can immediately sense that person’s style, and, more importantly, whether or not you like it as a reader. For example, I recently read a fellow translator’s email message and instantly felt respectful for her self-discipline and professionalism. The confident choice of words and phrases. The careful yet fluent decision to reveal and withhold. The hidden details that tried to burst out but were diligently and gracefully reigned in. I might never get to meet her in person, but I knew I could work with her as a team.
I am a firm believer in the fact that we are all unique. So, in terms of overcoming roadblocks, breaking through bottlenecks and generally cultivating and further sharpening our own skills at whatever we do, the person to rival with and to have faith in is always ourselves. Sometimes, alas, we are also our only friend and/or foe!
We are our own buddy and interloper. Our own cheering squad, yet our own biggest and most ruthless and relentless critic. I suppose finding our own style is the (long, turbulent and painful?) process of achieving some sort of truce between our own angel and devil on the shoulder — and not just a Christmas truce!
Note: Please check out Cody’s forthcoming book The Ostrich Dilemma (March 2027) via Rhiza Books (@wombat_books).
