Did you watch Harry Potter?
Whose voice stood out to you the most?
In writing, consider the dialogues of each character a hallmark of their voice. Creating authentic characters makes a story richer, more engaging, and deeply memorable.
Late Dame Maggie Smith, “Speak your mind even if your voice shakes,” this quote reminds me of her character in the Harry Potter series. Doesn’t it align with the way she comes across in both film and reality?
If you watched Harry Potter, guess which character said this, “If you wish to poison Potter – I assure you that I would have the greatest sympathy if you did – I cannot help you”.
Here is a second clue, “You dare to use my own spells against me, Potter”.
Now, this character and the actor were aligned in something unique. His/her unique voice is both in the real and fantasy world.
Do you know who I am talking about?
Answer: Alan Rickman, who played Severus Snape.
Here’s another one from Harry Potter. Guess who’s this?
“I killed Sirius Black, are you coming to get me?”
Clue: Her eyes and voice are the signature of her fantasy character.
Bellatrix Lestrange, played by Helena Bonham Carter.
1. The Foundation of Voice
Three main characteristics that shape a character’s voice.
- Background: Socioeconomic status, education, culture, and the situation.
- Personality: Extroversion, introversion, confidence, insecurity, humour or seriousness.
- Context: Who they’re speaking to, their mood and the situation.
Here’s an exercise for you.
For each of your characters, write a quick profile answering the following.
- Where are they from?
- What level of education do they have?
- What’s their dominant emotional state?
- How do they speak differently in formal vs informal settings?
2. Vocabulary and Diction
A character’s word choices reveal their worldview. A professor might speak in precise terms, while a teenager could use slang or abbreviated language.
Tips
- Research authenticity: If a character belongs to a specific group (e.g. solider, scientist, waitress), research their jargon.
- Word length and complexity: Someone intellectual might use complex sentences, while someone straightforwardly keeps it simple.
- Consistency with background: A young waitress who is using a job to get pocket money would be more casual than a director of a company arriving to the restaurant on a business lunch with clients.
The word usage of a waitress is more casual, friendly, and relaxed: “Hi, my name is Mina. I’m your waitress.”
The Director’s tone is, “I’d like a steak, medium rare, please, and your house red. Thank you.”
3. Sentence structure and rhythm
Pay attention to how your characters construct their sentences.
Long vs. short sentences: Nervous or hurried characters may speak in clipped phrases, while reflective ones use longer, winding sentences.
Interruptions: Show uncertainty and impatience with unfinished thoughts or interruptions.
Pauses: Use ellipses (…) or dashes (-) to mimic natural breaks in speech.
E.g. Formal: Young waitress: Oh! The soup of the day? Honestly, I’d skip it – it’s been sitting there since my shift started, but the burger’s pretty solid!
E.g. Casual: Director: I’ll have the salmon, no sauce, cooked through, and sparkling water – lime, not lemon, thank you.
4. Idioms, slang and regionalism
Adding idioms, colloquialisms, or slang can ground a character in a specific time or place.
However, overusing these can feel forced.
Tips
- Research regional idioms and integrate them sparingly.
- Avoid clichés unless they fit the character’s personality (e.g., an older character might naturally use outdated expressions).
- Use generational slang to highlight the age difference between characters.
5. Voice through action and reaction
A character’s voice isn’t only in what they say – it’s how they react to others. Consider:
- Do they interrupt? Speak over others?
- Are they concise or rambling?
- How do they express emotions (e.g. calm tone vs explosive outbursts)?
Exercise: Write a scene where two characters witness the same event but describe it differently based on their personalities.
6. Internal vs. External voice
Characters often think differently compared to the way they speak. The contrast can be a goldmine for authenticity.
- Internal voice: Stream of consciousness, raw and unfiltered thoughts.
- External voice: Polished or performative speech meant for others.
Example:
Internal: I hate this party, everyone is fake, and my shoes hurt.
External: Thanks for inviting me. It’s lively…”.
7. Differentiating voices across characters
When multiple characters sound the same, it dilutes their individuality.
Techniques:
- Give each character a verbal “quirk” (e.g. one swears a lot, another avoids contractions).
- Assign different speaking speeds – one character might rush, and another might be methodical.
- Let their personalities dictate tone: A sarcastic character might layer humour into even serious conversations.
Exercise: Write a group dialogue and remove the names. Can you still tell who’s speaking?
8. Using voice to reflect growth
A character’s voice should evolve with their experiences. For example, a timid character might become more assertive as the story progresses.
Example:
Early: “Um…I think we should. If it’s okay, try it this way?”
Later: “Let’s do it this way. Trust me”.
9. Pitfalls to avoid
- Stereotypes: Avoid relying on caricatures or clichés. If your character is from a specific group, ensure their voice is nuanced.
- Overdoing quirks: A character who uses catchphrases in every sentence might come across as cartoonish.
- One-note voices: Complex character needs layered, evolving voices.
10. Practice, feedback and revision
- Read aloud: Hearing the dialogue helps spot unnatural phrasing.
- Seek feedback: Beta readers can highlight inconsistencies or lack of distinction.
- Iterate: Revisit your characters’ voices during editing to refine authenticity.
Looking forward to our next discussion, in the meantime take a look at my entertaining and educational video on my YouTube Channel for developing authentic voices across characters.
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Yours sincerely,
T. Dench Patel
