How to Describe a Character's Voice (in a Text Adventure)
When it comes to writing (especially writing for interactive fiction games or text adventures), we all want our readers to become immersed in our work so intently that they entirely forget our characters aren’t even real! We do this by describing how they look, how they act, and attempt to utilize such detail that who they are becomes crystal clear in the reader's mind. Of course, this is easier at times than others, and, in many cases, explicit detail is where we so often slip up. So, let’s fix that issue and take a look at one of the many tools writers can use to bring their characters to life – through their voice!
Why is a character’s voice important?
Like with many other tools, such as how a character walks or how they act, a character’s voice is another way for the text adventure game writer to show their player who their character is. You can reveal many elements of a characters’ personality merely through the way that they talk. Therefore, it becomes an essential way of very easily letting your readers figure out who they are.
For example, if they’re a nasty character, they’ll likely be snide or rude to whoever they’re speaking to. On the other hand, if they’re kind, then it makes sense that they’d be polite and gentle in their speech.
Example #1
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“Are you threatening me, sir?” he said, so loudly that passers-by actually turned to stare.
“Yes, I am,” said Mad-Eye, who seemed rather pleased that Uncle Vernon had grasped this fact so quickly.
“And do I look like the kind of man who can be intimidated?” barked Uncle Vernon.
“Well...” said Moody, pushing back his bowler hat to reveal his sinisterly revolving magical eye. Uncle Vernon leapt backward in horror and collided painfully with a luggage trolley.
“Yes, I’d have to say you do, Dursley.”
- J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
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What else can a voice tell us?
A voice can tell you far more than just if someone is nice or mean too! You can learn from someone’s voice how they perceive the world around them. Whether they’re extroverted and optimistic or inward-facing and cynical… you can even learn more about their physicality too! For example, if someone is winded and breathless in their speech, or huffs and puffs as they talk, it would be safe to assume that they’re out of breath and maybe a little unfit. On the other hand, if they whimper or whisper, they might be insecure or worried.
We can also learn about the background of characters, such as where they are from, their education, and their age. Unsure what I mean? Well, a highly educated older man from a rich country is likely to have a far different vocabulary and way of talking than a young, peasant troll from a fantasy slum! By utilizing accents in your writing, you can help show this without actually having to provide much exposition. Just be careful to make sure your players can still understand what your text adventure character is saying if you choose to use slang and a written accent…you’ll still want them to enjoy your writing without endless googling to find out what words mean!
Example #2
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“'Nay, nay, he's noan at Gimmerton,' said Joseph. 'I's niver wonder but he's at t' bothom of a bog-hoile. This visitation worn't for nowt, and I wod hev' ye to look out, Miss—yah muh be t' next. Thank Hivin for all! All warks togither for gooid to them as is chozzen, and piked out fro' th' rubbidge! Yah knaw whet t' Scripture ses.'”
- Wuthering heights – Emily Bronte
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Don’t let perfection get in the way of creativity!
Sometimes we desire our characters to be so particular that we forget that perfection doesn’t always make them seem realistic. When people talk, they make mistakes and repeat themselves a little, sometimes tripping over their words and getting flustered – so let your characters do the same!
Example #3
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“From the very beginning— from the first moment, I may almost say— of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.”
- Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
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To create a truly great text adventure game, don’t fall into the trap of utilizing only stereotypes too! These work great with some genres of writing, but not everyone sounds exactly like we’d expect them to, and stereotypes aren’t as prevalent in real life as some fiction allows us to think. Sometimes the most terrifying, muscled men have the softest voices, and our voices can often be a valuable tool to allow the reader to look past just how someone looks to understand the deeper elements of their soul. Just think, what’s more interesting – a pirate who looks and sounds exactly how you’d expect a pirate to be…or a pirate that is softspoken and quiet who you believe could have a secret they’re desperately trying to keep hidden?
Don’t be afraid to play with the rules and have a little fun with it. And if you’re ever worried about if a piece of speech or dialogue sounds right or a little weird, walk on over to a mirror and say it out loud for yourself. If it sounds clunky or is difficult to say without tripping up, then it’s maybe time to think about editing it a little. But if it rolls off the tongue and leaves you with a smile, then you might have the voice for your character set!
By Cynthia S.