Creating Characters and Finding a Voice
Who are your favorite characters from literature? My choice is
simple – I only have one. By that, I don’t mean that I only like one book but
there is only one book character who has burrowed into my soul.
Molly Grue from The Last Unicorn
Sure, I like other characters. Eponine from Les Misérables
was a favorite when I was a teenager. I like characters from TV, like Rebecca
Bunch and Paula Proctor from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. But Molly Grue spoke to me on
a deeper level even when I was a child.
Writers always want to create characters who are compelling
and interesting. That doesn’t even mean a character has to be likable. Some of
the best stories feature flawed main characters that you love to hate, but you
can’t stop reading their story. Of course, characters with whom you identify
will always be the ones that stick with you.
But fiction isn’t the only place where character creation is
important. In non-fiction, a storyteller still needs to find their subject’s
voice. And that’s necessary for short-form writing too, like blog posts.
Your blog isn’t just selling the products or services you
provide: it’s selling you. Your blog needs to feature your voice. How do you
find your voice even if you’re not a writer? Here are a few ideas to get you
started.
Describe Yourself in 3 Adjectives
Hmm, let me think. I think if I were to do this for myself,
I would be:
- Quirky
- Funny
- Helpful
And yes, you can have different adjectives that describe you
when you’re in public versus when you’re in private. The key here is to choose
the aspects of yourself that will be essential for your brand.
How Do You Talk?
Not long after I moved to Georgia, I accepted a recruiting
job that I ended up in for 8 years. I remember the first time I took on a
writing project in the office. If I recall correctly, I was asked to do a write-up
on the proper dress code for our temporary employees. I finished the assignment
and gave it to my supervisor. The first thing she said after she read it was
“You write like you talk.” And honestly, I’ve never heard a better compliment.
My fiction is the same way. I hope to convey a quiet sense of
humor, not slapstick comedy. And even in informative pieces like this, you
may even read it in my voice if you’ve ever had a conversation with me. That’s
the kind of personality that needs to be in your writing.
Free Write
Here’s a great way to get into your mindset as a writer even
if you don’t write much. Just grab a notebook and a pen or pencil and start
writing. It doesn’t matter what you write about, just write anything that comes
to the top of your head. It doesn’t have to make sense or tell a story.
When you’ve filled an entire page, look back at what you
have. What phrases or ideas can you pick out that feel like you? This is a good
start to understanding your voice as a writer.
List Your Favorite Cultural or Artistic Influences
Sometimes you can discover your voice by looking at the
other voices that have influenced you. What writers do you love? What artists
do you have on your wall? What TV shows or movies do you watch. And it doesn’t
have to be limited to that. Any cultural or artistic figure you follow and
admire can be added to your list of influences.
Of course, the idea is not to copy someone else’s voice, but
you can use these examples and pull individual items that might appeal to you.
For me, right now, it’s the humor of Rachel Bloom, the storytelling aesthetic
of Bryan Fuller, the songwriting of Mike Doughty.
Work with a Professional
Here’s the thing: if you’re cringing every step of the way looking at these ideas to kickstart your writer’s voice and thinking it’s a waste of time...
Don’t do it.
There are people out there like me who can work
with you to develop the voice and tone for your branding.
One of the first things I’ll do when we begin working
together is set up a time to talk. I try to put myself in your shoes and see
how you describe things or the three adjectives that might describe you. And,
to be honest, your blogging brand may evolve as I get to know you better
through our working relationship.
Are you ready to tackle a blog on your business website?
Email me to learn more today.
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