How to Write Dialogue for (most) Dream SMP Characters
A few months ago, I remembered seeing a lot of posts giving advice on how to write dialogue for DSMP Characters. And while those posts contained numerous helpful pointers, overall, they fall just short of capturing what it means to write in a characterâs Voice.
Unique character Voices, while tricky to get right, are usually achieved by giving each character a distinct set of words to say, in a manner that distinguishes them from the rest of the cast.Â
With this in mind, Iâve spent the past few days combing through almost Thirty Hours of VOD footage to collect nearly all of the unique words, phrases, and speaking habits of every major and minor character on the Dream SMP (involved in 2+ story arcs.)
Before Reading:
Sentence-Starters are single words or phrases which begin a sentence. (ie. âYâknow, maybe you should try something different.â)Â
Sentence Paddings are reoccurring words added to the middle of sentences. (ie. âItâs like he just canât cry.â)Â
Sentence Endings are single words or phrases which end a sentence. (ie. âThereâs no need to fight, I hope.â)
All three of these types can be combined with one another to create more natural-sounding sentences. For instance, if a character has the two Sentence-Starters âOkayâ and âSo,â they can be used like this; âOkay, so, Iâm a bit worried.â
(Note: When certain traits or phrases arenât obvious with how they should be applied to dialogue, an (ie.) will be added below to illustrate them.)
Wilbur
General Traits:
Repeats himself for emphasis. Sometimes these repetitions will add additional information. More often, this repetition is focused around a specific word with the circumstance of the sentence being changed each time.
ie. âIâm living in an eternal limbo again. Iâve been through limbo, Iâm out of limbo, and socially, Iâm still in this limbo.â
Highly eloquent in language, bordering on poetic.
Highly introspective; significantly less so after Eretâs betrayal and onward.
Occasionally makes literary analogies and references, sometimes breaking the Fourth Wall to do so.
Curses semi-frequently. Wilbur is the only known character to use the word âcunt,â although rare.
Common Go-To Swears -Â Fuck, Shit, Prick, Bastard, Hell, Ass (Including all variations and combinations.)
Tends to hum when he thinks to himself.
Stutters most often when offended, shocked, or surprised.
Generally addresses characters semi-formally, often by title or role.
Often slips into long-form monologues when self-reflecting.
Usually defaults to being the head of a conversation; introducing, managing, and elaborating on topics throughout, especially when speaking to three or more people.
Circumstantial Phrases:
You and I, weâre â (To connect positively with someone.)
ie. âYou and I, weâre used to seeing the good in people.â
I wanna pick your brain / Can I pick your brain? (To ask about someone else.)
Donât say that, Iâll cry (Affectionate banter, only to Tommy.)
Iâm afraid â (When hopeless or delivering bad news.)
ie. âIâm afraid thereâs no getting out of this now.â
Thereâs no reason to â / Thereâs no reason for â / Thereâs no need for â  (When being threatened or breaking up a fight.)
ie. âThereâs no need for violence, gentlemen.â
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