Episode 014: How to Write Distinctive Character Voice

Рет қаралды 10,599

4 жыл бұрын

One of your greatest fears as a writer: that all your characters' voices will end up sounding EXACTLY THE SAME. How do you avoid this? How do you "slip into" a new voice for each character, a distinctive voice that STANDS OUT - not just in your story, but in the world of stories already out there. That's the topic authors Kate and Abbie tackle in this podcast. Drawing on years of experience and millions of words written, Kate and Abbie share their favorite tips for writing unique character voice and crafting a story that your readers won't soon forget.
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Connect with Kate on Instagram (@lonehawkwriter) or her blog: www.heretocreateblog.com/
Connect with Abbie on Instagram (@makeyourstorymatter) or her blog: www.abbiee.com/

Пікірлер: 52

@isthisatitleforayoutubecha3035 2 жыл бұрын

This is why Jane Austin is such an amazing writer she managed to make every character in her book have such a distinct voice that it could eve be considered a completely separate voice to her own.

@former_dmcrt8614 Жыл бұрын

Damn woman. You certainly use "like" A LOT in your speech. That was a huge turnoff in watching this video for me.

@isthisatitleforayoutubecha3035 Жыл бұрын

@@former_dmcrt8614 I'm a dude... Also I'm not Abbie Emmons... I actually promised never to contact her again because I put her on the back cover of my book "Scanorob" but that was pretty creepy instead of funny so yeah. Promised I would leave her alone.

@carolinasantos5696 Жыл бұрын

I have to agree with you. Every single character Jane wrote in Pride and Prejudice sounds pretty distinct. I like Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth´s scheme. It´s a pretty good back and fouth between diferent personalities.

@ClefairyFairySnowflake 4 жыл бұрын

Do the video idea where you write in comic sans for 30 days to see how it affects your writing! That would be a fun video to make! Thank you for the writing tips for character voice! They were super helpful! Keep up the amazing work! Stay awesome!

@KAEmmons 4 жыл бұрын

You know, I am digging that idea too!! Thanks so much for listening! 💛🙏

@wordsonNewYorkHarbour 2 жыл бұрын

I have a character that’s secretly sending letters to their father, betraying their friends, so I write their POV in 1st person and in the second draft change everything back to their name but as I wrote it originally as I he has a distinctive voice. I also colour my fonts slightly between POVs for that extra vibe.

@pastureexpectationsfarm6412 19 күн бұрын

Love the ampersand reference to (I'm begging the universe) "A Bit of Fry & Laurie"

@yitzledee Жыл бұрын

A few anecdotes from the comic book world: In Batman Year One, it has 2 perspectives that narrate, Batman and Jim Gordon. Batman's narration squares are in a typewriter style font on white and Jim Gordon's is handwritten on a lined background. It tells a lot about both characters. The Font "Comic Sans MS" was based on the comic Watchmen, one of the most serious superhero comics.

@angelacorrea6236 3 жыл бұрын

I learned all my basic character voice skills writing fanfiction... It is a great start point, specially when you're younger

@JtRiddell 4 ай бұрын

Yes! Please! The psychology of writing in different fonts sounds fun and intriguing!

@FaithMurri Жыл бұрын

The comic sans trick works!! I didn't even believe it but tried it and I wrote over 50,000 words in like a month! It's amazing!!

@newtoatheism5968 3 жыл бұрын

I feel like I unconsciously write character voice and kinda realize the differences in personality when I reread it

@lillydevil2486 2 жыл бұрын

Each time I find a new cache of writing advise, I'm usually like 'Oh, they're just going to go over the same stuff with different flavor text', but sometimes I find stuff no one else is really talking about. This and 'Narrative Distance' is something I rarely hear discussed among writers on yt XD

@ailsa2434 4 жыл бұрын

I've heard that reading Jane Austen is a master class in character voice, because all her characters (even the minor ones) have their own distinctive talking styles. I also read a book once where the main character spent a lot of time (not just in dialogue, but in her head) talking about her dad who had disappeared. That worked well because she admired her dad a lot, and she wanted to find him, so it made sense for her to bring up lots of stories about him that revealed something about what she admired in him. I'm so taking the character voice sheets idea, and the different fonts, and maybe even the idea of writing in comic sans.

@love2learn-itsastorynotasu40 4 жыл бұрын

OMG!! I needed that font tip (and the music tip and the personality type tip and the......) One thing I need to ask though. One of my MCs is a tree. (sue me) So how would this character make decisions and do other things if she can't PHYSICALLY go anywhere? (Mentally is a whole other thing) With Abie's three-act story structure template, I'm having some trouble with this character. *My inner voice*: Of course SOmaya... you are writing about a fictional TREE story for crying out loud Anyways...Thanks! Your videos have really helped me!

@annavelfman1527 4 жыл бұрын

Oh heck- you brought up Winnie the Pooh. My feels. The end of the house at pooh corner wrecked me when I read it to my son. I sobbed! Never noticed when I was a child.

@liamurati8318 4 жыл бұрын

I absolutely go with character playlist! It works SO WELL with me! Thanks ladies loved that episode!

@taylorduarte6725 4 жыл бұрын

Music is a big help! I listen to instrumentals when I write!! Because words/tv are often distracting. So I have a "writing" playlist going for my current WIP.

@reyofsunshine7171 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so so much for answering my question !! 🥰🎉

@milomazli 2 жыл бұрын

OMG I love this!!! this is sooo relevant for me!! Thank you both!!

@thesamuraiman 4 жыл бұрын

I always worry about this. Glad you're covering the topic.

@anniek1746 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome podcast thank you!

@valeriecarolus-figini5045 Ай бұрын

Absolutely love the show

@nurianetoibanez2268 Жыл бұрын

You both are marvelous: One is an accurate good comunicator, the other is empathetic and emotional. ¡Well done sisters! I'm in love.. You made it! :D

@hannahelliegrace4858 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the super helpful tips, guys!

@KAEmmons 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much for listening! 💛🙏

@lorrainelagrosasubosa6880 4 жыл бұрын

I've been struggling with character voice. Thank you for this.

@KAEmmons 4 жыл бұрын

Yay, I am so glad you got something out of this episode! 🙏💛Thanks for being here

@lorrainelagrosasubosa6880 4 жыл бұрын

@@KAEmmons I always check out your videos ❤️

@heathermelling6717 3 жыл бұрын

Yes! COMIC SANS VIDEO YEYEH *Palpatine voice* DEW IT.... Also, you guys are so fun to listen to. I am not a writer although I used to dabble in it in highschool for fun and am considering writing again for fun after listening to your podcasts and videos, but atm I listen to you while illustrating/designing for clients& doing school projects! It's amazing how much story carries over into other creative industries. Really love hearing both of your opinions on so many topics and how you break down story :) big fan

@lauraduncan548 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you both so much for these podcasts! I’ve been listening on Spotify but I thought I’d head over here and watch the video! Loved it!! Maybe you’ve answered this before, but what made you two decide to start a podcast?

@KAEmmons 4 жыл бұрын

Ahhhh, so glad you got a chance to come on over to KZfaq and check out the video version! :) Thanks so much for listening! 💛🙏

@adamtaylor4068 3 жыл бұрын

Z🤪😖

@valeriecarolus-figini5045 Ай бұрын

Hi there, you should definitely do a video like that. Please

@margobarrett589 4 жыл бұрын

great video tho so helpful😉😃😁❤❤❤❤❤❤ Oh yeah and the font thing with me too it helps me!!! U guys made me laugh about the comic sans thing LOL!!!! XD yes yes yes make a video of the comic sans plzzzzzzz Also my character in my trilogy is a slave so he sees things in a dark way, but he is sarcastic and cunning despite the fact that his masters freak out about being disrespectful lol.

@alainad6364 4 жыл бұрын

My main character's MBTI is ISTJ...and I'm an ENTP. So writing his voice has been an adventure. Thanks so much for this!!

@newtoatheism5968 3 жыл бұрын

Character voice is something I’m just now kinda figuring out but I don’t think they are super consistent yet I start almost every ssntece with the point of view character’s name cause I write mainly 3rd person omniscient

@maxwrigley6885 4 жыл бұрын

Hey, Kate & Abbie. I love the podcast! I'm an up-and-coming author, subscribed to both of your channels. I'm working on my début novel, & I have a question. I'd be grateful if you could answer it: I struggle getting into the 'writing element' & even though I have an ongoing novel that I really want to finish, I'm never motivated enough to sit down & write. When I do sit down & write, no creative juices are flowing. How do I overcome this? (I live with my parents & I'm unable to stick to set writing times.) Thanks in advance. Much love from the UK!

@jessicamorgen1815 4 жыл бұрын

Check out Abbie’s video “How to instantly get into the writing mood.”

@georginakosi5411 Ай бұрын

Can I give an example of "character voice based on where they live"? Essex Common phrases: Aite (hello), Baz Vegas (it's a place), Saafend (Southend, but they drop the 'th'), etc. I'm not Essex, correct me if I'm wrong.