Your Character's Voice

    The other night I was watching The Vampire Diaries (my latest TV show obsession) when this random thing popped into my head. I stopped the show and contemplated on how each of those characters expressed themselves different. Then, being the whacky writer I am, I sat there and tried to describe all their different voices in my head. In the process I realized just how important it is to describe a person’s voice and how fun it is. 

I’ll use my characters from the first book in my Star Times Trilogy as an example.

     Lindsi Stargazer, my main character, is an inventor and lives in a tower of a castle. And so when she talks she usually sounds unsure and often rambles. Also she’s only come in contact with people she could trust her life with and so Lindsi is also very naïve and trusting. Which means that doesn’t ever lie. She always tells the whole truth.

“I don’t know. We’ve been making plans but you know how it goes. Dad can never settle on one thing… plus he’s constantly away and so I have to do most of the work.”

     This quote is from Stargazer, the first book in my trilogy, and when Lindsi is talking to her best friend Kayly.

    Whereas with Lindsi’s love interest, her dashing Keane, has seen more of the world and knows that not everyone can be trusted. But his voice is very smooth and calm, silky and charming. You can already tell his personality. He’s the smooth lady’s man that can easily hide secrets and therefore he talks the part.

  His smile was as smooth as silk.

 “You know what? You look like a damsel in distress. And you know what else? I am an expert at saving those said damsels. You want to know my secret?”

      That’s when Lindsi just met Keane for the first time. You can tell that he is smooth and charming.

I think you can see what I mean but I’ll mention one more character. Hans is Lindsi’s guard and protector. His voice is ridged and firm and won’t take no for an answer. He’s the soldier and you can tell just by the way he speaks.

“Lindsi I don’t care what your father says. I don’t care if you haven’t seen him in an eternity. All of these rules are put in place for a reason. There are two princes coming tomorrow and if I see you down those stairs I will lock you in the room. Under no circumstances are you to leave this tower tomorrow. At all. Do. You. Understand?”

    Hans is talking in this quote. He just discovered Lindsi had snuck out of her room to visit her friend.

    Your character’s voice is very important and helps to paint a picture for your readers. Small clues, little descriptive words help to describe how your character speaks, what they would sound like in real life and for me personally I love putting in those small details to make my people more vibrant.

What does your character’s voice sound like?