Protagonize Pub

For a long time during my teen years and before, I've been writing. Much of the time I wrote fan fics or stories heavily inspired by others media. Sometimes I've written things that aren't like that, and kinda my own. But recently, getting to my final year of my English and Creative Writing degree and now being twenty years old, something hasn't felt right. Focusing on one creative aspect I forget basics. Writing doesn't come as easily as it used to. But most importantly, I feel like it's time I truly found *my* style. If you know what I mean by this, is there anybody that can help?
How did you find your style? What is it? Is there something you do that's unique to you? Was there one particular moment when you wrote something or just thought, this is me, this is how I will be?

Hi, Nosirrah, I found your question very interesting. *My"*style comes completely from my characters, as they're the ones that write the stories. Once you have a character firmly in mind, all you need to do is ask them what they want. When you discover that, the plot will evolve. Don't hold them too "firmly" though, allow them to grow and change, as that's what plot is all about, that's what drives the story forward.

For example, if you're thinking of a 17 year old male in 17th century Europe, his goals will be different than that of a 23 year old female heiress in 21st century America. His clothing will be different, his diet will be different, his manner of speaking will be different - and his desires will be different. Yes, your main character(s) will dictate your style, therefore it will change from novel to novel.

So ask your character what he/she wants - and how they plan to go about getting it. What are their current circumstances? What obstacles will they have to overcome? What are the first steps they will take? Let them reveal along the way WHY they want what they want and the storyline fleshes out and becomes more fascinating, and more compelling. What do they believe in, what do they care about? What lines are they willing to cross? When your character takes over to the point you're ready to just hand them the pen and paper, you're no longer a writer, you're a novelist.

Your character(s) will do all that and more for you if you listen to them. Fall in love with them unconditionally, whether they're "good" or "bad" and they'll reward you with an abundance of material.

LOL I love my characters so much that I thoroughly enjoy reading my own stories - probably too much. I don't think it's bad to admit that, I think it's necessary. Along the same lines, if you are writing and struggling with it, then you're bored. If you're bored - how can you expect your readers not to be? The hardest thing can be deleting a paragraph, ripping up a few pages, or even throwing out an entire chapter, but sometimes its necessary.

Most often I can write with feeling at the computer, which is obviously faster. However, if I get stuck I get up and walk away and pick up a pencil and paper. For me, at times, that can make it personal again.

I'm tempted to be cryptic here and say you won't find your style, it will find you. But that's really kinda how it is.

Cheers!