Don't forget your chance to win HAUNTED by Joy Preble! Time is running out...
- Attitude - You can't just throw a bunch of snark out there and call it attitude. That's not character, sorry. You'll only end up putting your own Big Foot in your mouth. What you need to know is how your MC views the world and how she reacts accordingly. Now if she does that through sarcasm, great! Use it. But only in the WAY she would at the TIME she would. Capiche?
- Mannerisms - We all have them, though we don't always know about it. What your character DOES speaks volumes. Habits, knee-jerk reactions, etc.
- Thought processes - Otherwise known as INTERNAL DIALOGUE. What is the character thinking? How does she think? Need an example? Let's take one of my own favorite characters. His head is all over the place. Think "squirrel!" from the movie UP and you pretty much have a handle on him. I love that about him. He's easily distracted. And at the right moments that provides some excellent comic relief. It also makes him vulnerable.
- Speech - Ahh, dialogue. I love writing dialogue. Some people don't, but I think it really goes hand in hand with character and voice. The way your MC says something is as important as what she says. Who she's speaking to will also alter the dialogue. Do you speak the same to everyone? About everyone? Maybe your character is lacking an internal filter and spews whatever pops into her head. Maybe we see what she's thinking and it's the opposite of what she says. So much can be reveale
29 Comments on The Elusive Voice, last added: 3/2/2011Display Comments Add a Comment
Blog: WORDS (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writing for children, Anastasia Suen, Bigfoot, Write2Ignite, Animal Planet, Picture Writing, Bigfoot in NC, Picture Book Love Contest, searching for Bigfoot, searching for Bigfoot in NC, Uwharrie National Forest, Add a tag
So Wednesdays are usually my “Waking up Grumpy” post. But not today. NO sir! Today I have a few announcements I hope will brighten or enhance your life in some fantabulous way. 1. My Picture Book Love Contest is still … Continue reading 
By: Tonto Fielding,
on 10/31/2010
Blog: Hillbilly Vampire (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Vampire, eBook, Ohio, Bigfoot, The Hillbilly Vampire Chronicles, Hillbilly, Tonto Fielding, Comedy Blog, Theme of Isolation in Literature., Novel, Humor, Add a tag
Tonto often contemplates the sense of isolation the elusive Bigfoot must endure. The reality, in which he lives, must be so harsh that he must dissociate himself from the rest of the world. I can only imagine that such isolation comes from a complex psychological disorder that is influencing the formation of his identity. Some think he went mad, because of a woman. Only this could explain the sense of oppression. Others believe it was a result of his childhood, leaving him vulnerable and emotionally destroyed. Whatever the causes, I truly think that my friend finds comfort in his isolation, yet strives for attention and love. He reaches out, only to hide when spotted.
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By: Thomas Kingsley Troupe,
on 7/27/2009
Blog: Tappity Tappity (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: vampires, publishing, writing, werewolves, kids books, Goodhalo, bigfoot, bermuda triangle, books, Add a tag
"Your bravery surprises me, Pious," Hurvick said. "But our fates are in the hands of the gods."
"Their hands are full," Pi replied, which made Lasha gasp.
From GOODHALO, by Thomas Kingsley Troupe
So, that's what I've been doing friends. Working FEVERISHLY on the revision and overhauling of my little zombie book, GOODHALO. I'm on a mission to trim this thing down to a decent fighting weight and it has been slow-going. I'm about 1/3 of the way through with the hope that I'll have it ready to show by fall-ish/end of September.
As if that weren't enough, I've been tapped to write 4 more books for the younger set. And speaking of sets...I get to write all of the books in the new set myself! Picture Window Books asked if I'd be interested in writing 4 titles about legendary creatures/phenomena.
Er...yeah!
So, between now and November, I'm not only revising, revising, revising, I'm also writing books on VAMPIRES, WEREWOLVES, BIGFOOT and THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE. By the time these puppies come out, I'll have 12 books published.
Seriously...how is that even possible? It seems like just yesterday that I was lucky enough to have PATRICK'S SUPER SOCKS published.
Cool times, friends. Busy times, to be sure, but cool times nonetheless.
So...don't take my long absences from the blog personally. I'm just one busy fella.
Wish me luck and think of how envious I am that you get to watch movies, play video games and do other fun stuff while I slave away in the Nerdery. Hopefully in November I'll be able to watch a DVD or two.
Ciao for now. Be good.
By: mike r. baker,
on 3/23/2009
Blog: Monday Artday (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: winner, bigfoot, Gregory Gunther, Add a tag
Gregory Gunther!
Congratulations to Gregory Gunther. I loved so many of the entries that, as is usually the case, I had a very difficult time choosing. I chose Johanna Ahlard's "Mini Bigfoot" as the winner. Gregory's sweet vector-drawn mini-bigfoot and the clever design of the background earns him the win. Keep 'em coming, artists! Lots of awesome work!
By: FrankenBarry,
on 3/13/2009
Blog: Monday Artday (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: bigfoot, Rich Barry, Right-Hemisphere Laboratory, Add a tag
The day the creature formerly known as Littlefeet became the creature currently know as Bigfoot.
My Tex Avery influence raising its bulgy-eyed head once again.
© 2009 Barry/Right-Hemisphere Laboratory
By: Pascal,
on 3/12/2009
Blog: Monday Artday (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: pascal kirchmair, bigfoot, Add a tag
By: damon,
on 9/13/2008
Blog: ART JUMBLE Blog (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: art, drawing, animation, cartoon, comic, geek, bigfoot, SASQUATCH, Week 105: Bigfoot, Add a tag
my first entry for Art Jumble
By: Victor,
on 5/23/2008
Blog: Sugar Frosted Goodness (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: SFG: Monsters, bigfoot, sasquatch, Add a tag
Hey there. My name is Victor and this is my first post. I'm a designer and illustrator from Mexico working and living in Seattle. I'm super excited about being part of SFG, hope you folks enjoy some of my work. Here's a little illustration I did for a project a few weeks ago about coming together for the holidays, unfortunately it didn't work out. I thought it would work out for this week's SFG challenge though. So here it is Big Foot. 
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By: Writing for Children,
on 12/3/2007
Blog: The National Writing for Children Center (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Children's books, Book review, Vivian Vande Velde, middle grade novels, Donna McDine, Middle grade novel, Remembering Raquel, Add a tag
Title: Remembering Raquel
Written by: Vivian Vande Velde
Hardback: 137 pages
Ages: 12 & up
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc.
ISBN: 978—0-15-205976-7
Publication: November 2007
There are times when a person drifts through everyday life without being noticed all that much by those around them. Fifteen-year-old Raquel Falcone is that person in Remembering Raquel. Her life appears to be quite mundane and her story is told through the eyes of her best friend, family, classmates, and the woman who accidentally struck Raquel with her car.
Raquel’s death shakes the community to its core and proves how we all affect one another’s lives even if for only a brief moment. At first it appears that Raquel would have no lasting impact on her town. As one classmate put it, “”Oh crap. That makes me the class fat girl.” But through the eyes of the people Raquel came in contact with, we learn of Raquel’s gentle kindness, the traumatic impact her mother’s death from cancer had on Raquel, the way Raquel’s classmates perceived her, and the heartwarming frustration of her best friend. Even through cyber-space, it is shown how Raquel connected with others in her own way.
Vivian Vande Velde is an Edgar Award winning author and tackles the array of emotions all age levels go through when a death occurs.Remembering Raquel will tug at your heart. Visit Velde at: http://www.vivianvandevelde.com
*******************
Reviewed by Donna McDine for the National Writing for Children Center
Love it! And it's all so true. I don't think any one topic can be covered in a blog post but you did a good job covering the basics!
All so true. Voice is one of the hardest things to develop, I love your tips. Great post!
Oooooh, I love this post. I have problems with internal dialogue that stems from some people telling me to add more and others telling me to cut some of it out. So now I'm super paranoid. ;)
You are a master at voice, Lisa, so this was naturally a great post! Part of my plotting process includes character worksheets. This helps me nail down parts of the MC and helps me get to know them better. Hopefully it does the trick.
BE your character, I love that. It all really boils down to that. You have such a knack for voice that this is golden advice coming from you! Thanks for sharing it!
Laura - thanks! I'm sure there could be an entire book on the subject and still not do it justice.
Renae- So glad you liked it!
Stina - Remember what I said about taking critiques from others. I'd say (though I'd really have to see it to know) you should decide if the character really "thinks" that much. In my own writing, I find the more internal dialogue usually helps, but I also often have quite action packed/complex plots, so I need to slow it down a bit.
Julie and Heather - *blushes* awww - thanks guys!
I love writing dialogue too. I think it's what really brings our characters to life---letting them interact.
PK - Absolutely! Forcing them to interact with others and deal with situations is what shows us what they are really like.
Great post Lisa. When it's forced with cleverness it doesn't always pan out. Will need to ponder this in my own WIP...
Yeah, voice is tough to find, but once you've got it, boy it makes all the difference! I like this post a lot because it gives great tips in finding voice. :D
Lydia - Thanks! I'm sure you're fine, but it's always good to ask those questions..
IB - I'm so glad it was helpful!! Voice really does make a huge difference.
Such good advice! It's hard to find both your voice and your MC's voice but once you do, the words start to flow!
Jen - Yep, having a handle on the voice makes everything flow easier. Great point!
Voice is something I struggled with at first in my WIP. It's gotten easier as I've written more and gotten to know my MC. It goes to show that it's important to know your characters well!
I like writing dialogue but don't always remember to show how a character says something. Thanks for the great tips and reminders!
Ghenet - every time we write we learn. So those struggles turn into great experiences that make everything easier later on.
Awesome post. You cornered the important points about the illusive voice. My favorite assignment in a college writing class was to write in the voices of different authors. We wrote the same short story in using the voices of Hemingway, Jane Austin, and Steve Martin. After that assignment, I understood voice.
Leslie - that sounds like an AWESOME assignment! I remember having to rewrite the ending to Animal Farm, and my teacher saying I sounded like the author. I didn't get at the time what that meant exactly (other than a nice compliment). Now I know she was referring to voice.
Oh, what a clever way to tie yet another paranormal critter (bigfoot) to great writing advice! Ah... voice... that which cannot be forced
Great points about voice. It IS sooo elusive. And do you have to BE your character. That's the hardest part -- taking "you" out of the character's voice.
Margo - exactly! You can't force it. ;)
Karen - Maybe it's more of a melding, since your character, no matter how different, always has some part of you since it comes from within.
Ha! Big foot. I think we're related based on the fuzzy feet thing. You and Sheri Larson are all about character on your blogs. Love that character and not plot is the focus on two great sites.
Thanks for the post and the Tuesday morning giggles.
Thanks for the great compliment, Lee!
Great Pic! I have found that by the time I finish the first draft, I know the characters better and can add those little quirks I found it hard to invent the first time around
Bekah - glad you found a process that works well for you!
Great tips! They're all so true :)
Getting to know the characters is crucial to writing them well.
Writing Nut - Thanks!
Lynda - You have to really get in their heads.
Since I almost always write in first person, my MC is always my narrator, but still, I think my voice shines through in that narration. Thank you for making me think this through today.
Stephanie - I almost always write in first too, it helps me with character voice immensely. I believe our voice come through no matter what, so I don't concentrate on that side as much. Glad the post was helpful.