HOW TO ROCK YOUR CHARACTER VOICE

Writing strong character voice is not as easy as it looks. (ok nvm it doesn't look easy.) BUT TODAY i'm going to show you the 7 TRIED AND TRUE techniques I use all the time to make my character voice unique and recognizable. ALSO ALSO; at the end of this video I answer some FAQs of character voice and debunk some common myths.

If you got something out of this video, please SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON to let me know!!

LINKS TO THE MBTI IMAGES I SHOWED:

Subscribe for weekly episodes of #WritersLifeWednesdays !!

WANT MORE INSPIRATION? FOLLOW ME HERE:

[suijin]

When I finish a character profile I look at actors whose voices and mannerisms would best highlight that profile.

[blueseaturtle]

1. Learn your character’s personality type
2. Make your characters polar opposites
3. Assign certain phrases to each character
4. Learn their form of manipulation
5. Use metaphors that reflect their world view
6. What your character does all day affects their world view
7. Create your characters desire fear and misbelief

8. (Bonus) give your characters a spine, Aka: an unconscious inner desire the character has that affects their outer goals

[Janawrites]

"People are people, regardless of gender." - Abbie Emmons

Thank you, yes!!

[leigh-anjohnson]

Fanfiction really did help me to learn character voice. I already know the personality of the characters from watching the show so I wrote to match that in the tone, dialogue, internal narrative and feedback i got said it sounded just like how they imagine the character. It helped me learn how to write distinct voices.

[holleykdraws]

I’m a lifeguard and I’m tempted to say WALK to random running children 😂😂

[amazonbookworm]

Another really good tip for writing dialogue, especially if it's between multiple characters, is to read it out loud. What you see is definitely not what you hear. What might read well can sound stilted or awkward once heard.

I know when I first started writing, all of my characters sounded the same. Then I started reading it out loud and realized what to fix.

The other thing is, observe. If you're writing a YA or children's book, go to a local mall and people watch. Watch how people in the age group you're considering writing about act. Obviously, don't be a creeper, but it is amazing what you pick up just sitting in the middle of a mall and watching people walk by.

[britnihill]

I’m not a writer but I’m a reader and have toyed with the idea of writing but confession! Since finding your channel you have completely changed the way I read books. My reviews have gotten WAY stronger. So SHOUTOUT to You!!

[heyjasminedanielle]

Even though I’m not a writer, I still want to support my girl! Abbie, you’re killin’ it with giving your subbies valuable content🌟 keep up the good work girlie!

[Thenoobestgirl]

Fun fact about Comic Sans font - I've heard it's actually one of the easier fonts for people with dyslexia to read. :)

[TheThreeBookshelves]

I’ve never thought to assign MBTI types (which I’m literally going to do tonight because WOW) but I always think of what Hogwarts house my characters would be in!

I also like to give each one a verbal quirk, based on who or what they are. In my WIP, one character drops the beginnings of his sentences a lot (e.g. instead of “Do you think it’ll rain?” he’d say “Think it’ll rain?”), one doesn’t use contractions (he’s an android, so it isn’t in his programming), and one refers to himself in third person (a former slave whose race doesn’t see themselves as having individual identities).

[kevinreily]

That's great advice. Every main character should have a "signature line". Exactly what I have found very helpful in working on the characters in my first novel. Plus, it helps you get deeper into that character.

[syberyah]

How to write a little kid voice: have younger siblings

[StephanieOplinger]

The personality test is such a genius idea! I never thought to use that, and now I will have to all the time 😁

[gqvsegj]

1. MBTI types
2. make characters polar opposites
3. assign certain phrases to each character
4. Learn their form of manipulation
5. use metaphors characters would actually use
6. what your character does all day affects how they see the world
7. each character pov has its own font

[pinkypromisevintage]

You're probably my favorite authortuber. I can feel the passion in your voice when you talk about writing stories. And you put everything very simply so it's easy to understand. Thank you for making these videos! I was wondering if you can make a video on tips for writing a novel with more than one protagonist? :) that would be awesome!!!

[pennyrobinson]

This is the clearest video I’ve found on character voice so far. Thank you!

[amberandrews]

I can agree with the fanfiction thing! I write Avengers/Irondad & Spiderson fanfiction and a lot of us fic writers are practically capabable of sounding like we've written the script. Tony's pretty difficult to write but easy once you get it! Like, all of the nicknames he uses and the way he waves off people's concern for him and the way he always drinks coffee and sits in the lab without sleeping or eating for days straight. Peter's more of a bubbly blabber. He always goes on tangents about things and can speak so fast that he rivals Tony when he's talking science. I feel like they're both the same in that aspect, though I guess that's the fic writer's/fandom's personal belief or take on their personalities.

[KyrieW]

Don`t forget about Enneagram personality test! I have started to do both MBTI and Enneagrams for each character and the two tests are so helpful together in truly dividing your characters by personlity. The best part of Enneagram is that it (is supposed to) predict how a character acts when STRESSED. Enneagram 7 becomes manic and reckless while Enneagram 1 becomes withdrawn, for example. Gives me all these story ideas... lol

[taylorduarte]

I definitely use specific words for certain characters. I.e: one character says "Alright" the other says "Okay, fine." Etc.
When I write different POV I put myself in their head. And try think if it makes sense. One of my WIP is two female twins who are nothing alike. One is super girly and the other is a badass/athletic. So the actions are clear that twin 1 wouldnt be shooting guns. I think if you sit back and just logically think "does this make sense to the character I'm writing?" It'll be easy to figure out.

[dion]

I also write fanfiction. It's surprising how even though I've read the Harry Potter books a million times and you'd think I would know Harry through and through by now, it's still difficult to write in his voice. I recognise it instantly when I see it in other people's fanfics, but doing it yourself is a lot harder.