Hey, so, I started doing a writeup a week ago about how to get character voices in your fanfic to sound “in character,” in response to a comment from a new writer I was beta-ing for.
I’ve been told this is a thing I do well.
As someone who studied dialogue extensively for a theatre degree, I tend to do this reflexively now, and I don’t write out each individual step. But I put some thought into how I might break down the process if I was new at it and looking to get better.
I don’t think it’s actually that different than an actor studying character accents, except as a writer you’re breaking down meaning rather than sound.
Let’s take a look at what makes dialogue unique to a character. I’m gonna list these as bullet points first, and then I’ll suggest some exercises to explore these aspects of speech.
Most important aspects - focus on these first
Vocabulary - the words they use. As subset of this:
Complexity of words, which can include:
Syllable length
Likelihood to be used in casual conversation - a character can be very smart and still use very informal language.
Cultural touchpoints
Culture can include pop culture references - think Tony Stark’s nicknames for everyone, i.e. “Point Break” and “Underoos”
How in or out of sync the character is with the story’s setting with regard to both time and place - are they from a different country or era of time than their peers?
Important - Check these out if you have time
How likely the character is to speak their mind vs. change the subject - this could be for any number of reasons, from fear to duplicity
Amount they say / Introvertedness / how reticent they are - This is somewhat related to the above point, but not necessarily, and should be researched from different angles. Subverting a topic is not the same thing as being afraid to talk about it.
Different ways of speaking with different characters - this could be a function of story (i.e. how a character who is captured speaks to their captors as opposed to friends) as well as pure Code Switching
Deep cuts - Advanced aspects of speech
Fluency in the language they are speaking
Accents - You do not have to write a character in an accent, i.e. spell the words differently to show the accent, if you don’t want to. It really depends on the piece (usually how light hearted or humorous you want it to be) whether you do or not.
Okay, this is all well and good, you say. But HOW do I incorporate this into my writing?
Dialogue analysis exercise
Find five (or more, but at least five) representative lines from your character’s canon dialogue.
If they don’t speak, don’t have five lines, do the best you can. (I imagine other forms of communications can probably also be analyzed in this way, but I’m gonna focus on dialogue for now.)
These are going to be your key phrases. They need to be from canon and they need to be words that really show off who your character is.
Say the words out loud. Read them again and again. What do they sound / feel like?
What is the average syllable length? How many long words do they use?
Do any words jump out at you as archaic? What about modern pop culture references?
What is a different way they could have said this? Write some alternate versions of this phrase and figure out WHY the character didn’t say it this way instead. What is the difference between the canon dialogue and the alternative? Try to be as specific as possible. It’s as important to know what they wouldn’t say as what they would.
Look up any of the more complex words and find some similar ones, with a similar level of complexity. Use a thesaurus you trust and possibly also Wordnik. If your character doesn’t use ANY complex words, reflect on that. Why? What’s their reason? How does that fit with the rest of their personality?
Think of some other characters from other pop culture pieces who speak in a similar way. It doesn’t have to be 100% the same, but if it can help your ear get used to some new-but-different phrases, it’s enough. You’re training your brain to speak like the character. Start to sort phrases they would say from ones they wouldn’t. How do these two characters differ?
Now that you have worked thoroughly through your key phrases, start to imagine these lines said in something other than the original context. What if they were said to a different character? WOULD they even be said? What would change? What would happen if your character was scared / hurt / overjoyed / sick?
Finally, after all that, write some NEW dialogue for your character, either as practice, or right into your fic draft. Keep using your key phrases as a guide and go back to canon as much as you need to! You can do this!
After all of this, you should feel significantly more confident in writing that existing character into your story. Huzzah!
If you found this at all helpful, reblog and / or leave me a note. I’m curious to hear what you think.
This is good advice, and here’s an added suggestion for practicing: write a story entirely with dialogue between two characters. It should be possible to tell who is speaking without needing dialogue tags or descriptions. If you find yourself thinking “but a reader will get confused here!” you go back and make it sound more like them.
TUMBLER IS GONNA KICK MY ASS POSTING THIS AND MAKE IT CRUNCHY QUALITY OUGH BUT!! Here's a commission i did for my irl :] I'm super proud of how it came out and it took like almost a month to finish bc of artblock + general burnout OOPS but my pal loves it so thats all that matters
-> higher quality on google drive here <-
Finally drew my oc!
Had alot of fun experimenting with the shading and effects. Also changed up how i drew hair, the face, and clothing. Overall I like and dislike some things!
I had to draw something for my blue boy scout because the trailer dropped and it was insanely good... but also... I really wanted to draw Agent Stone, so, AgentMan who's with me on this one JUST HEAR ME OUT PLEASE
Don't read this I just needed somewhere to post it
When Silas was late for their rendezvous, Pantos was concerned, but not worried.
He wasn't worried until he found Wygar's body.
His eyes open but devoid of light, his arm reaching for where the tracks told Panto that Silas had been dragged away. Wygar would only have allowed that over his dead body, and thus had it come to pass.
Wygar deserved better. He deserved funeral rites, to be mourned properly, at the very least for someone to close his eyes. But Panto could only acknowledge his loss in the most abstractive ways. His mind already reading the tracks, he didn't even dismount. He rode on. He told himself he would mourn properly later. He would return and pay the respects owed to Wygar. When there was time. When Silas was safe.
Panto rode where the tracks lead him, not slowing when he approached the Mage's territory. Only stopping to dismount and draw his sword when he approached a ruinous castle.
He swore no force in this world would prevent his entry, and yet the resistance to him was negligible. And soon he was facing down a mere half dozen Kellum knights. Normally a few short minutes work. But Panto couldn't move.
On a raised dias in the center of the room stood the Mage. Beside him, Lord Triangle had his sword open, one blade each resting on the shoulders of…
Silas.
Silas was kneeling, hands bound in front of him. His eyes, always so wide, so expressive, would hide nothing. In those eyes Panto saw fear, and love, and resignation.
"I'm sorry Panto."
Panto refused to consider what Silas was apologizing for. For being captured, for being used as bait, for being so beloved that his death was the only thing Panto truly feared
Panto couldn't look away from Silas, even as he addressed the monster behind all this. "If you harm one hair upon his head, Mage, then prophecy or no prophecy, I will destroy you."
"You know, I think you just might… and wouldn't that be something? But the thing of it is, you might defeat me yes, but… He'd still be dead. And in that way, I'd still win our little game."
Th Mage spoke true. Though Panto could cut down such meger fources, he could not take them all out before… it would take the barest twitch of a muscle, to destroy the whole of his world, and any reason he had for fighting.
Keeping his sword en guard, keeping his eyes on Silas, Panto asked. "So… what do you want?"
"What I want? Well, what does anyone want, really. I just want to fulfill my purpose. The reason I was made. But lately I've been losing sight of the things that truly make me happy. What I want is to stop worrying about the big picture evil and get back to the things I truly enjoy. Small, intimate evils… the most satisfying kind. And you, Baron Prince Panto Trost, you can help me with that."
"I'll never help you." Panto said automatically, but the words tasted stale in his mouth. Like an old script.
"Oh, you misunderstand. I don't need you to do anything. In fact, what I need you to do is… nothing. Let me explain. Just beyond the river, west of here, there s a valley at the base of a mountain. Nearest the edge of the valley lies a small dwelling. The land is fertile, the air is fresh, and two little lovebirds could live out their whole lives there. Far outside the larger political concerns of this world. A perfect…happy… ending. "
Panto waited, eyes still on Silas. He waited for the demand, the favor, the sacrifice he would be asked to make to earn this 'happy endng'. He would refuse, of course. The steps like a fight he had been preparing for his whole life, and yet…
"And all I need from you is to lay down your weapons, take Prince Silas with you… and never return to Inglenook. Either of you. That's the deal."
"Don't trust him Panto, if you lay down your sword AH-"
Lord Triangle had but barely twitched his blade, but Silas flinched forward, blood beginning to well up from two razor thin cuts on either side of his neck.
To Panto, it felt like a fist of ice was squeezing his heart. This must be what fear feels like he thought, followed by how can anyone stand it?
Without thought he had surges forward, then just as quickly stopped. His eyes still locked with Silas, in whose eyes he saw a goodbye he was not ready to return.
"How will I know you'll keep your word?"
"Well, we could both swear on whatever it is we hold dear, if indeed there is anything I do hold dear. Or I could conjur up a binding promise spell… but the truth of it, Prince Panto, is that you know I will keep my word… because I will enjoy you keeping yours."
For the first time since he laid eyes on his beloved, Panto looked away from Silas. He met the eyes of the Mage and… he understood.
Slowly, Panto lowered his sword. Once it was on the ground, the guards stepped aside, clearing his way to the dias.
As Panto approached, Lord Triangle lifted his sword away slowly. Then suddenly he placed a foot on Silas's back and kicked him forward.
Panto dived forward and caught Silas before he hit the ground. One arm under his legs, the other holding his back, he lifted his love and turned quickly to leave this place. Silas's bound hands clutched at his shirt.
Just before leaving, Panto looked back at the Mage, who had a dispicable smile on his face. He made a shooing motion with his hands, and Panto exited the castle.
"You… are more skilled in deception than I, my love." Silas said, loosening his hold on Panto. "You knew exactly what needed to be done for our escape."
Panto made no reply as he approached his waiting unicorn. He helped Silas onto the saddle.
"I could ride more easily if you untie me, my love." Silas said with a smile in his voice.
"Not yet," Panto replied, climbing on behind him. One arm around Silas waist, the other on the reins, he pushed the unicorn into a canter.
For some time they rode in silence, Panto having little to distract him from the marks left behind on his lovers neck. Two perfectly symmetrical lines from which his very life essence leaked slowly like teardrops down his back.
Finally Silas spoke up. "Are we riding to my family, or yours? You know I get terribly lost in the woods."
Panto said nothing, but pushed the unicorn faster.
The dwelling was exactly where the Mage had described it. Larger than a cottage, smaller than a castle. It looked like a keep, although quite out of place to its surroundings. Panto had no doubt the Mage had constructed it himself, so sure that Panto would agree.
"Do you fear we are being watched? Is that why we have come here?" Silas whispered, blood still drying on his neck.
He dismounted, and helped Silas down. Silas extended his bound hands to Panto, but Panto walked forward instead to inspect the door. A key hung from a leather cord just near the door.
"Panto, it could be a trap!" Silas called as Panto took the key and unlocked the door.
Reaching back to take Silas by the arm, he gently guided him inside. The door, Panto noticed, had a keyhole on the inside as well. He locked it before placing the key around his neck.
"Stay here, I'm going to make sure this place is secure."
Once again, Silas held out his bound hands in expectation, and once again Panto pretended not to notice.
Room to room Panto searched for what he knew would not be there. There would be no traps, no deception, no excuse for him to break his word. There will be no release from the pact he made.
Bedroom, bath, kitchen with provisions that would last them, at least until Panto could get a garden started. He might have to hunt a bit to stretch it out. Wardrobes, filled with clothes he had no doubt would fit. A shelf of journals, ink and pen, so Silas would never be bored.
As he searched each room, Silas called out to him. Asking how long they would have to stay. When did Panto think they might pass beneath the Mage's notice, and return to their families. How would they send word to their people that they were alright. How Panto was the greatest swordsman in Inglenook, and could not be long out of the fight.
To all this Panto made no reply, and he could hear in Silas's voice the growing seeds of doubt.
Satisfied their new home posed no threat, and unable to put off all that would follow, Panto returned to the front door. He passed by Silas without meeting his eyes, and removed the key from around his neck. "I'm going to forage for supplies, perhaps find something for dinner."
"Panto."
Just that. Just his name. But not with fear, or worry, or excitement. Panto had never heard Silas say his name like that. With no emotion to it.
He turned, and for the first time since making his deal with the Mage, he met Silas's eyes.
"Untie me?"
And this was it, the Mage's victory. As doubt bloomed into understanding, into betrayal in his beloved's eyes, when Panto said "not just yet, my love."
Panto closed the door behind him, and locked it from the outside.
Thinking about the early days of Robotnik and Stone... They're both orphans with a dislike of humanity and a fascination with machines of mass destruction, so I wonder if they ever talked about their personal lives and private traumas.
Noble- lol kinda want an AU where that pink haired guy is Stones ex and Robotnik fucking hates him.
Me- LOL
Also me for the next few weeks-
--
I call this AU ''The Lost Prince (of Wendimoor)'' right? sketchy cover page concept-
If I had a nickle for every time I locked on on a doe-eyed, yearner played by Lee Majdoub in love(allegedly) with a 6'2'', red-tinted man who is a master at his craft from a series with world warping technology, a fucked up moon, and a child hero...
I would have 2 nickles etc.
ANYWAYS. The story is about Agent Stone who is secretly Silas Dengdamor. Somehow he got warped/trapped on Earth and had to rebuild his life since Earth is a far less forgiving place than the planet of Wendimoor and he had to accept that Panto might not be able to help him. BUT he finally managed to apply all the fighting skills taught to him by Wygar and eventually ended up in GUN which lands him in Robotnik's circle.
Little did he know Panto has been trying to find Silas this entire time, using warp rings to traverse the galaxy when the search for him on Wendimoor resulted in nothing. (Hes left the defense and care for the kingdoms to Litzi and Wygar)
Panto finally makes it to Earth after escaping some shenanigans on some other planet and in the chaos lost his warp rings somewhere. SO he too has been stuck on Earth which is fine for him because he was gonna be searching for Silas anyways. (He actually loses his rings on Earth and Sonic finds them and is a little concerned/excited for another alien to meet... I didnt draw any of that LMAO)
ANYWAYS after nearly a decade Pantos search finally comes to an end.
(V Im putting the rest under the cut cuz theres a lot of doodles V)
Ivo doesnt share food, of course.
Panto can only tolerate so much.
A rock stuck between a hard and harder place bout to be ground into a fine DUST.
BETRAYAL!! (?)
SO ANYWAYS. something something Sonic shenanigans but before the final battle somehow Sonic and Panto meet... maybe like Panto sees the little pouch he kept his rings in and gets them back. Something... Panto returns to Silas (& Ivo) and tells them he has a way back home for them (he and Silas) but Silas hesitates and then cant bring himself to go... not when Ivo is watching them (TOTALLY NOT BOTHERED AT ALL. HES NEVER BEEN BOTHERED EVER IN HIS ENTIRE LIFE IN FACT).
Panto understands and says he has 2 warp rings left (Sonic used a few to fuck around maybe IDK) and should at least visit Wendimoor because Wygar and Farson (and even his mother) miss him and he should get a proper good bye. Stone invites Ivo to Wendimoor... whether or not he goes to check it out IDK... I feel like might be curious enough but also maybe he'd think itd be too awkward IDK I DIDNT DRAW THIS PART BECAUSE I DONT KNOW.
When they get back shenanigans, Sonic v Ivo fight and Ivo ends up on the Mushroom planet. Stone insists on waiting for Ivo at Mean Bean and Panto stays with him and they reconnect nice and proper! Panto accepts his life of villainy as long as he can please Silas.
something something... S3 where Ivo is injured and is being taken care by mostly Stone... and Stone is being helped by Panto (Ivo rejects Pantos help at any given moment but also kinda feels bad about it because Stone has been running himself ragged.)
Some misc Stobotnik and Pantlas! doodles-
Panto doesnt understand SIlas' affection for Ivo but then after sorta getting to know the guy he starts seeing Ivos dumb way of kinda returning affection (something that Silas is a little blind to himself). BUT if Ivo is SO important to Silas, Panto will keep him safe.
Eventually Panto brings up the stuff between Ivo and Silas as well as Silas' love for the other man and Silas feels bad but Panto WILL share food... if it means so much to Silas. And frankly Ivo is a jackass and maybe wont even do anything so he wont have to bother worrying.
IVO STILL DOESNT SHARE FOOD.... (The food wasnt his to begin with BUT IT DOESNT MATTER.)
The only thing that keeps them from killing each other is the fact the person they care most about would be upset by it.
Totally forgot to post this on tumblr. This Gift was for @scaredofstyrofoam
Will also be adding details about my sonic prime stone because i got wayyy to into it. These details are not exactly fleshed out since I never really had the time beyond discord messages and me answering questions about their dynamic. Also please note that i did not watch all of sonic prime, i only got up to season 2.
Its angsty please remember that. Also please ask me any questions if you want, I will gladly share!
CW : Mentions of - violence/abuse, thoughts of suicide, loss of autonomy, and possibly more. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. Please also ignore any spelling or grammar mistakes lol I typed it up and never edited it.
In the shatterverse there is only one Agent Stone that exists. He's first the Agent/Assistant to Mr. Dr. Eggman and later on extends his role to the other members of the Chaos Councils when they meet and team up. There was an incident where Stone was injured beyond repair and was just waiting to die. The Chaos Council wouldn't let that happen so they turned him into a cyborg. They had built his body as human as possible, even giving him artificial nerves.
Now that Stone was a cyborg, he's also to do more things his human body wasn't able to do. He was also more efficient and needed less time to rest. The Chaos Council began to demand more from him and started to think of him as a robot, their property, and not human anymore.
One day Stone goes to Mr. Dr. Eggman asking him to let him go and deactivate him. While Stone was devoted and loyal to the Chaos Council, he was also suppose to die and didn't want to live. The problem is that he was still human. While his body might not reflect the damage, his brain still remembers the incident and Stone has phantom pains everywhere on his body and it really messes him up. He knows the Chaos Council only saved him because he believes they cared about him as much as he does. Stone tells him that it was unhealthy for them to cling to him, to preserve a life by building it a body. Mr. Dr. Eggman didn't like that, the idea of Stone not being by his side was impossible and so he took away Stone's autonomy, basically having full control of him so he couldn't leave because Stone is theirs. While Stone no longer had control of his body and his brain was numbed. He was still able to hear, see, and feel what does council does to him but he no longer able to feel the phantom pains.
Stone doesn't get the right side of his face robotized until after his autonomy was taken. I had the idea that either Dr. Babble or Dr. Done-it did it in a fit of rage. They took their anger out on Stone and injured him, they had smashed his head in and some more around his body. They never knew that they inflected that much damage on Stone as they also took their anger out on their surroundings. Rusty Rose pulled him out of there while they focused their rage on something else. She brings him to Mr. Dr. Eggman who helps him the damage severe and almost reversable, to save time he robotizes the right side of his face. Later he punishes the two council members by revoking their access to Stone.
Have some of my shirtless Stone sketches totally made for « studying my anatomy »purposes 🪨🤓☝️
((NO BUT i really do have 4 days of écorché and muscles insertions on Zbrush next week, wish me luck))
I decided to bring back the panther due to popular demand, but as a tattoo. Idk, it’s just my little headcanon !! Also, i love to think Stone just wear a tie any time for no reason 😭like… it’s just part of his characterdesign
It is very different from what i’ve been producing lately, i feel a bit shy dhsjzjz
origamiaround
kaledo-art
stormborns
jacobvanloon
andulkaphoto
