How to Make Your Character Voice Shine

Are you struggling to give your characters unique voices? Do you feel like all your characters sound the same, or just sound like you? If so, this podcast is for you. In today's episode, Abbie and I are sharing our BEST TIPS for writing character voice that shines. Immerse your reader in the perspective of your character with these tried-and-true storytelling techniques. Grab a notebook and let's get started!
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[@worthfightingfor2299]

And YES PLEASE DO AN EPISODE ON SHOWING VS TELLING. I know how to do it when it comes to saying "she shivered" instead of "she was cold" but I need more examples of showing internal conflict. 😭(And with examples would be ah-may-zing.)

[@samkathryn4825]

I actually have a tip for this. I thought I had it down really well-then I had a beta tell me I did too much showing and not enough telling. The line I’ve learned to walk is brevity, clarify, and relatable. So, in your example, I shivered is shorter than I was cold, which checks the brevity box. It is also just as clear, because shivering usually means someone is cold. For relatable, readers can be in the character’s shoes because being cold is something immediately understood by shivering. I clenched my fists is not as short as I was angry, but it matches the other two. Compare that to pain. It’s really hard to reflect pain accurately without mentioning the words pain, agony, etc. This is part of the reason I don’t hate adverbs and adjectives as much as some other authors. It would be harder to show the person is smiling shyly than to just say they smiled shyly. Clarify and relatable are most important, though, because sometimes you have to use a lot of words to put your reader into your character’s mind. So I just try to think about whether the reader could understand a subtler way of conveying the info, whether the meaning is clear, and lastly I try to find the shortest way to say it while still achieving the other two.

[@worthfightingfor2299]

​@@samkathryn4825 That's a great point! It is hard to show pain without mentioning those words - and yeah, sometimes there's just no verb that's more precise than using a phrase with an adverb. Thank you for sharing that!

[@samkathryn4825]

I actually tried that comic sans thing-it actually did help. Usually, I need Bookman Old Style or Garamond, but it helped me get over a block right before nano last year, which was nice.

[@isadoraroosevelt6635]

You and your sister are both so talented and provide helpful tips!! :) You both are beautiful!! Love your videos!!

[@esthykechan]

I have been doing this thing with playing out scenes in my head since my teenage years and I figured it was because I’m a weirdo but it’s good to know other creatives do this too! It helps a lot with nailing the characters emotions. my main issue is that I have one story with a really well developed pair of characters but when I try to work on other, less developed stories I tend to default back to my main couple..

[@dr.j7542]

That last bit...lol

[@esthykechan]

@@dr.j7542 well, okay then

[@savannahwhite5121]

would LOVE to see a video/podcast on showing vs telling! this is super easy in theory....and then you end up with a manuscript littered with info dumping.

[@maaquijano]

YAY! Another writing content from my favorite sisters/buddies! Thank you, Kate and Abbie, for bringing these podcasts to us. You have no idea how many struggling writers you've help through the years. I love u guys soooo much!!! 💘💘

[@spacewhales2118]

Yay, I’ve been waiting for this all day! My current WIP being my first novel I’m using my characters to express interesting aspects of myself and pent up feelings all to dive even deeper to understand certain mysteries about me. Especially since my MC is my spirit animal her vibe comes from me. Down the line I will work with characters who are different than me. One of the reasons I got into writing is to express myself and share my voice and cup of wisdom, to be my outlet. And yes I would love a podcast on showing and telling. It’s one of my struggles so go for it!

[@thesamuraiman]

I tried changing different colors for each POV. I thought fonts were a bit much, but colors felt nice for me. 💜⚡️

[@irene2958]

I ♥️ your podcasts. Thanks for your effort and inspiration ☺️☺️

[@LemonLimeKingdom3000]

The character that's like me is my favourite.

[@lucianawessolossky5563]

so good! I must be on my way to wathcig all your videos, discoverd you guys about two weeks ago and im hooked!

[@billyalarie929]

I would absolutely love an episode contrasting showing vs. telling in detail.

[@quasi8180]

I have a very blunt and simple style i have a bit of a hard time with voice at least i think i do but at the same time. I dont think im terrible at voice. I think im getting better at it. I do tend to act out scenes in my head sometimes i whisper scenes ahead of times as i think about what the next chapter will be its fun.

[@audreymaccready5778]

I really enjoyed Kate teasing Abbie about internal conflict!

[@blueravenfire]

another great podcast episode! yes, i would certainly love an episode on showing vs telling. i still struggle with that a bit as a writer.

[@cookery1016]

Showing vs Telling definitely needs a video on its own!

[@moderndayphilosopher4356]

I’d absolutely love an episode on showing vs telling - it’s something I’ve been really trying to figure out lately, I’d love your help!! 😄 Thanks for the awesome podcasts as always!!! 🤩

[@candyjansen5503]

Thank you guys so much you two are live saver's I appreciate your channel's so much keep it up

[@thomasfamthomas2815]

Yes! do the show vs tell episode!

[@DarkPegasus87]

I touched on this in one book where the MC defends a friend using their choice of words. The accusation was his friend stole a cargo shipment and caused mass starvation on a planet. In truth, they were ambushed, and he was abducted and left to die, heavily injured, while the ones who really stole it framed him. The MC pointed out that his friend asks "Is something wrong" as opposed to "what's wrong" like the 'heart' of their crew. The heart is empathetic and can sense if someone is hurting, so it's explained why she is that assuming. However, the other friend doesn't even assume there is something wrong unless you admit to it. As such, he would never presume to steal a shipment when lives are on the line. It wouldn't even be a thought in his head. Honestly, I may cut that out because it sounds too "hand of the author"-ish or too brag-y. Besides, there are other ways to do that scene.

[@trinahisler9775]

A little late to the party but have to comment on Comic Sans - it's 100% true. The writing hack does work the sloppiness of the font forces you to keep going. It's awesome I do it all the time during moments of struggle

[@KAEmmons]

That's so cool!! Thank you for sharing that with us

[@BoReads]

Yay!

[@worthfightingfor2299]

Oo, I'm actually first this time! 😉 This'll be an awesome video!!! XD

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Okay. But you guys should show up when I order you to.

[@ememndazie612]

cool

[@jayashreechakravarthy4949]

Don’t fuck around with the briefings. I shall have those god damn briefings. I must have them, if you want me to do this job.

[@samkathryn4825]

23:40 Tsumiki Mikan anyone?

[@ivad.1341]

Hello, I love you and watched every episode, but in last months I feel like you are repeating what you already said, so there is nothing new in last episodes.