 Horror/Scary: March 11, 2020 Issue [#10066] |
This week: More on Creating Character Voice Edited by: Cinn  
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I've been asked for a longer lesson on creating character voice, and since I pretty much never run out of things to say, I figured I'd go ahead and do that here. It's not spooky, but it can certainly help sell a good scare. I think that I can even frame it in a horror type of way.  Sorta.
For any poetry folks, I'd recommend an additional exercise: The Two Voice Poem. It's similar to this but in poetry form. |
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Voice is what really differentiates one character from another. You can tell a reader that one has red hair and another jet black, but without unique voices, they're going to read as the same person and be indistinguishable without constant dialogue tags. So here is one exercise that could help you identify and create different voices.
The Exercise
Think of someone who you don't like... hate even, if there is someone. What do you hate about them? Are they condescending or rude or snobby or manipulative? Are they too aggressive? Hear them... think back to a conversation, and listen to the way they say what they say. Especially the things that really push your buttons.
Now, think of your favorite person. This could be a spouse or a best friend or mom or sibling. What do you like about them? Are they kind and generous? Do they turn everything into a joke? Are they a mother hen or do you feel the need to care for because of their free spirit or klutzy nature? Think about the way they talk and how they respond to things.
Given that this is a horror newsletter, you may have seen this coming by now: Amplify these traits and voices. Write them as the victim/hero and villain in an everyday scenario.
The Practice / Examples
Someone cuts in front of them in line:
Hero - Excuse me, the line starts back there.
Villain - Hey! What do you think you're doing! I was here first!
Hosting a party and greeting late guests:
Hero - Thanks so much for coming! Come on in!
Villain - You're late, so we started without you. Did you bring any wine?
Answering the phone for someone they don't like:
Hero - Hello?
Villain - What.
Losing a game:
Hero - Good game!
Villain - You cheated!
Confessing their feelings for someone:
Hero - I love you. You mean the world to me.
Villain - I ummm... you ah. You know how I feel about you.
Walking behind a little old lady with a shopping cart:
Hero - Hi! Let me help you with that!
Villain - Get outta my way, lady! I don't have all day.
Correcting someone at work:
Hero - I used to do the same thing. Let me show you an easier way.
Villain - Wrong! Move, I'll do it myself. And watch... maybe you'll learn something.
Now, take a line from the villain, and imagine the hero saying it. Pretty hard, right? Character and voice go hand-in-hand. The personality of the character dictates the way they talk as well as their actions. Some of these are direct parallels and some aren't, but because voice is integrated with characterization, separating the two doesn't feel necessary here.
Extended Practice
Try this for yourself with specific people in mind. Total opposites... people you know well. This might be a shy person and an outgoing person or a young child and an little old man or blue collar vs white collar. Choose opposites, and try saying the same thing from each perspective. As with all other aspects of writing, it requires practice to master this, and some people (actors, drama kids, etc) may have an easier time of it. Let me know if this helps, and if you want more on the topic of voice, let me know! 
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Do you find it more difficult to create an authentic voice for your hero?  Or is it harder to get inside the head of a psycho and write as them? |
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