Part Three of The Art of Storytelling. The series of presentations, talks or lessons in the storyteller's art by author, writer and storyteller Alan J. Fisher.
Language: how does language affect how people view your character? How your character speaks will reflect the following factors, even if these are not aspects of your character which you planned, they will be perceived as such;
Their social class. What would considered 'poorer' people may speak in a more vernacular, more slan-filled and 'less educated' fashion. They may use certain forms of expression and less, shall we say for sake of argument, refined speach
Their state of mind. Someone who is not relaxed, either with their company or themselves, will speak in a manner where this is shown. They may imitate others around them or affect certain aspects of other's speech in order to feel like they belong or are accepted. Such mannerisms will probably not look or sound natural and be obvious to anyone who is paying attention.
Their surroundings or Company. When I'm at work, I speak one way. When with my parents, siblings and cousins, another. When I am with people to whom English is not their first language, yet another. We all adapt our speech to our surroundings. When I am 'selling myself' at events and in these videos, I speak another way. Our characters have to be shown reacting in a different vocal way to different environments and circumstances. Are they afraid? How do they show that? Are they unsettled? How do they show that? Are they relaxed and among friends? How does theur speech indicate this?
Their background and history. As you may all know, I'm British and Irish, I have that accent. How I express myself vocally gives people their first impression about me. On the phone it may be the only impression. Your characters, the first moment they 'open their mouths' get that first impression from your readers too. Make sure it is the right one.
So, langauge matters then, a lot. A lot more than people first though maybe? This lesson links directly into the first, that of Voice. Why? Well part of a character's 'voice' is how he or she speaks, not just what they have to say. If all your characters 'speak the same language' or have the same patterns of speech, what makes character A distinct and different form character B, for example? If you have groups and factions in your writing, what distinguishes them? If they are different then they will have different backgrounds and a different culture. How they speak will reflect that. Someone who is ancient will perhaps have learned how to speak 'modern' but they may still have indicators of their 'original' speech buried in their manner which may emerge occasionally. Often these will be subconcious. I am originally from Belfast but I speak with a mostly English accent now, however if I am angry I am told that "the Irish comes out". An example of mine is the beginning of Son of the Dragon when Neshaa makes his very famous "speech" regarding his opinion of Alexander's absence as well as his alleged parentage. In his anger his original Persian speech patterns emerge. Also Yeshua be Joshua in the same Novella. Alexander muses on how his speech is better when he is 'wrothful' or speaking the Word of God than when he is 'himself' and uncertain.
I have always said dialogue is a huge and vital part of story and character development and this is why. Human beings are a very communicative species, their interactions mostly vocal. In the real world how do I learn things best? I ask people. Yes I could read a book but if someone shows me and I do, I learn much better. A good tract of dialogue can reveal huge volumes of information yet keep the audience engaged. Everyone talks about the terrible "Wall of Text" which the error of many a beginner. If you try to communicate a huge amount of information in such a wall, even a broken up on, your audience will probably lose interest and switch off, whether conciously or not. A well paced and well made dialogue can draw them in and communicate the same information but better. If you do it well, maybe you can even communicate the same information on a subconcious level.
Communicating on a subconcious level or 'manpulating your audience' is a strong part of the Storyteller's Art. It's how you draw them in, get them to feel and react in the ways you want them to, to take them on the ride you have planned and stay until the end. You want them, also, to come back for more.
As I mentioned in the Video also, my new collection of poetry "Quoth the Raven, F**k You, Poe!" is due for releaseon December 12th. For news and information plus the upcoming related offers etc. check out my page Alan J. Fisher's Blog today (or in a few days once i've published it!).
Next week; The Art of the Storyteller Part 4; Character Development and Story Development as one.
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