Listening to Those Pesky Voices

Creating characters with a distinctive voice is a challenge for a writer. In order for a character to feel true, the experiences and reactions must have verisimilitude. Every character I have created is based on my experiences; yet, they all come to life and have opinions, feelings and emotions that surprise me. I “hear” their voices all the time, telling me about their wishes, characteristics, likes and dislikes.

One instance is when Dean, the boyfriend of Fran in YNK (You Never Know), let me know in adamant terms that he would never wear a Polo shirt--he was a plaid flannel sort of guy. Fran reminded me that she rolls her eyes a lot instead of commenting out loud, which drives her mother crazy. Annie, another friend of Fran’s from YNK, is afraid of going to sleep in the dark. In fact, Annie is afraid of the daytime, too. While I don’t consider myself brave, I have never thought about being afraid of waking up like Annie does.

I have stood up for what is right, like Dusty defending Yugo in A Penny in Time. And like Dusty, I have lived through divorcing parents--but not exactly the same situation as she. I’ve been bullied, but Fran’s situation was what my daughter went through in elementary school. I have been chased by a dog that I later became friendly with, but never had a job walking him. I lived next to a crotchety old man whom I never liked, but my brother and he became friends. I did not have a boyfriend in junior high, but did have boys as friends.

The most intense experience I had with characters “speaking to me” was with a girl named Della. One of my unrealized wishes was to write a perfect short story. One day this little girl, “Della, if you please,” started reciting her story. “No!” I said to her, “your story has been done by much better writers. Southern writers that grasp culture and slavery. Not my thing. Go away.” She pestered me every day, conjuring scenes and dialogue. Finally, in exasperation, I wrote the story. It is perfect in all the technical aspects that make a good short story. But it is trite and says nothing new. Several years later, however, I recognized that this entire story will fit beautifully in an adult fantasy novel I am working on, Eye of the Moon, that takes place in the future on another planet.

One of the most compelling things I have learned from my characters is how to listen with intent. You may think I am merely daydreaming, with my unfocused eyes and lack of attention, but it is more likely I am having a fascinating conversation with characters who need to be heard. And that translates as well to the real “characters” in my life. Although, to tell the truth, sometimes I prefer to listen to the voices of the “others”.