Developing Unique Voices for Each Character
When it came to creating voices for my characters, I drew heavily from the people in my own life, using their unique personalities as inspiration. By observing how those around me spoke, reacted, and interacted, I could bring a sense of realism and depth to my characters. Some of the most vivid characters in my novel, The Moonshot Saga: Earthbound, were directly influenced by family members, each contributing to the authentic voices that make the story come alive.
For example, my protagonist Hazel embodies traits of someone who is shy yet eager, often waiting for the right moment to step forward. This character's voice reflects the cautious optimism of someone who is more comfortable in familiar settings but is willing to take risks when it truly matters. Hazel’s reserved nature was inspired by people I know who may not always be the first to speak up, but whose thoughts and actions carry significant weight when they do.
In contrast, Pearl, another central character, bursts with energy and spontaneity, a personality that I modeled after my sister and even my dog. Pearl’s voice is vibrant and full of life, reflecting an infectious enthusiasm that can both uplift and challenge those around her. This character brings a dynamic contrast to Hazel, with her boldness sometimes leading to unforeseen consequences. I wanted Pearl to be a character who could push the boundaries of the story, introducing elements of surprise and tension.
One of the key challenges in developing these voices was ensuring that they remained consistent throughout the novel. I found it helpful to maintain detailed character sketches that included not just physical descriptions, but also their speech patterns, common phrases, and how they would react in various situations. By revisiting these sketches as I wrote, I was able to keep each character’s voice distinct and true to their personality.
Another technique I used was to read dialogue out loud. Hearing the words as they would be spoken helped me fine-tune each character’s voice, ensuring that it felt natural and authentic. This process allowed me to catch any inconsistencies or awkward phrasings that might disrupt the flow of conversation. It also helped me to differentiate the characters further, as I could immediately tell if a line of dialogue sounded out of place for a particular character.
