Writing a Character’s Voice

When I was a teenager, my mother used to preach to me about practicing the sport I wanted to compete in. I was fiercely competitive during the season, but she was insistent. “If you aren’t playing in the off-season, then you’re not going to have the skills you need to edge out the competition during the regular season.” Don’t you hate it when parents are right?

The same principle has proven to be true with writing. I have worked hard to learn how to write fiction. A few years ago, while working as a graphic designer, my boss found out I could write. He assigned me to write marketing newsletters. I was super-annoyed because before then, I was NEVER required to write for work, and I never wanted to.

Writing for marketing isn’t like writing fiction. I have to study hard to make sure I’m not making ignorant assertions. I need to be concise and keep the attention of the reader. I have to be sure my voice is positive and encouraging. Basically, I have to stop being “myself” and be “the company.” 

Guess what all this practice did for me. It taught me that my writing voice shouldn’t always be my voice.

I should not simply write my ideas and opinions into a character’s mouth. I need to study and know what kind of person they are so that when I write their words and opinions and actions, it isn’t my words and opinions and actions. I need for them to make mistakes I wouldn’t make or be brave when I wouldn’t be brave. I want the audience to receive them differently than they would receive me.

Now when I sit down to write my fiction, all of my work in the “off-season” is paying off. I have the concentration and experience of writing in a voice that isn’t mine, and my characters are starting to be more unique because of it. 

What’s a novel you’ve read where the author delineated their characters well? If you can think of a good one, share it in the comments! 

(banner image by Leo Wieling, unsplash.com)