Voice exercises

Wavy_Blue · Jun 16, 2010

Hey, folks. I'm stuck. I'm currently working on my superhero WIP, but my MC's voice just isn't coming out quite right. So, I'm wondering what your favorite exercises/activities are for getting into your character's voice. I'm at a writing conference this week, and the thing all the speakers keep reinforcing is the importance of voice in YA. So...what are your favorite ways to get into your MC's voice?

MissMacchiato · Jun 16, 2010

sometimes I try reading them aloud in different accents, to see if I can find one that fits.

Or, I watch my favourite movie or tv show, and see if I can imagine how my character would change if they took on the voice of my favourite (or least favourite) character.

lemonhead · Jun 17, 2010

At first I thought I could help you out...but then I started thinking about what to say and I realize I have no idea how I develop the voice.

I guess I get it mostly from television. Like for example...ever watch cougartown? Okay well even if not...there is a secondary charachter that has a great "voice"- at least for me. I think it's awesome and funny...so when I'm writing sometimes I see that attitude in my head. That voice doesn't work for my MC but the attitude kind of does. So I put on that attitude and make my MC talk through that filter.

I don't know if that helps...

shaldna · Jun 17, 2010

I base them on people I know. Listen to your friends and family and note the speech patterns, strange words they use, teh pauses and the tones.

eventidepress · Jun 17, 2010

Personally, when I'm trying to figure out a new char's voice, I find that it's most evident when the character has to describe the setting/situation they live in, or their world views. So basically I'll just sit down and write a whole scene of them ranting about their beliefs, and I may or may not keep snippets of that scene in the end book, but at least it lets me know where the char is coming from?

Stunted · Jun 17, 2010

I usually just fumble around for the first draft, and then, by the end, have found a pattern that works for each character/narration.

maracalone · Jun 18, 2010

You can go to a place where teens hang out and sit and listen to them. Perhaps even use a tape recorder (though I don't know the legality of that...maybe you should scrap that idea). Sometimes listening at a random place with a random bunch of kids is more helpful than using people you know. You get different speech patterns.

Newguy1428 · Jun 18, 2010

I know what you're talking about. The most controversial voice ever for a superhero was Spiderman. The idea of having a mopey kid, the not so super, superhero. Also, check out Luke Skywalker. These characters may seem out of date, but they were very different when they hit the scene.

Voice for a superhero is different than other genres. There was a time when haughty, self-serving voices could do like Adam West's Batman.

You have to ask yourself a few questions. How do I make my MC sympathetic? How do the values of his or her time come out in motives/actions.

ElizaFaith13 · Jun 18, 2010

I'll pick a scene (from any book/movie) and rewrite it from my MC's perspective.

Xvee · Jun 18, 2010

Character's personality dictates the voice. Get to know who they are and the voices pops right out. The way you act and talk is dictated by your personality and the life experiences that shaped it. Same deal for your characters.

mulcahy67 · Jun 18, 2010

i usually have a picture of what the character looks like in my head, and just to make it simple, i think, "if i was making this a TV show/movie, who would i cast?"

and voila. that's my voice.

Voice exercises

Wavy_Blue

Adventure is out there!

MissMacchiato

Bring on the Sweet, Sweet Coffee

lemonhead

Life isn't all beer and skittles.

shaldna

The cake is a lie. But still cake.

eventidepress

Stunted

Ich heiße Superphantastisch!

maracalone

Newguy1428

ElizaFaith13

New kid, be gentle!

Xvee

I Need Monkeys

mulcahy67

Got the hang of it, here