At some point many nonfiction writers asks themselves: how do I sound like myself while still sounding credible? Facts may anchor nonfiction, but voice carries it. Readers don’t only want information; they want to feel they’re being guided by someone with perspective, confidence, and personality. Developing that voice—one that balances individuality with reliability—is one of the most powerful steps in finding your nonfiction style.

Writers rarely set out to be wordy. The problem sneaks in through first drafts. We add scaffolding to get the thought down, stack adjectives to feel more descriptive, hedge with phrases like “it might be possible” so we don’t sound too blunt. The impulse is understandable — language feels safer padded.