Sunrise Classroom #2 (BLUE)

Discussion exercise, Lesson 5.

1. Do you hear the distinct voices of the characters in the examples?
Yes. The voice of Jack is very clear. He’s unemployed, depressed, and not in a sociable mood, Going to the park to avoid being around people. His complaining voice can be heard in the last paragraph’
In the second example the voice seems to waiver between whining and complaining to soft humor.
The third example is the most clear. The voice of the characters are of country people. The dialect, the way they speak, and the way the male seems to think what he says goes. For me, this example was the clearest voice.

2. When you read the examples could you almost picture them even though there is hardly any physical description?
In 1 and 3, yes. I could picture Jack, dressed in working clothes, a frown on his face and a wrinkled brow. In 3 I saw the characters sitting in a small, dimly lit kitchen. I saw Caleb and Ellie as being older than Jack.
3. Could you picture the setting?
Only in example 1 and 3. I saw Jack sitting in a small city park. Maybe a small square of grass and trees. In example 3 I saw a small, country kitchen. Two older people discussing their personal principals.

Take a look at some of the stories you have written.

Are your stories usually action driven, or are your stories character driven? Meaning, do your stories depend on the action, and less on the development of your characters?
I think I do a little of both, but I lean toward stories with characters that change in some way. I usually begin a story with a plot, then find characters that fit the story. What usually happens is the plot in some way changes the character.

4. Is that something you need to consider when reviewing your own work? Meaning, do your characters have a clear and distinct voice in your writing?
I will be much more aware of voice from now on. Each character will have to be identifiable on his own, not just with his appearance or actions, but with his voice. I think it adds another dimension to a character.

5. How would you define your personal voice when you post your thoughts in the forum? What is your natural tone [funny, sarcastic, serious], your style [long or short sentences, diction]??
I tend to use short sentences…I’ve even had reviewers mention that aspect. At first I tried to change based on those reviews…it didn’t work for me so I went back to a more natural way of writing, more natural for me.
I try to be light-hearted and humorous when I post, but I find that when I write a story I don’t see that voice. But that would be good, right? I don’t want my personal voice to intrude on the voice of the characters.


Bikerider