Writing Tips: Voice Exercise One

Photo Courtesy: Emmi P

Objective: To recognize voice

Match the passages to the character. Rely on the emotion expressed by the character (his voice) and the special aspects of his expression (also his voice) to tell who is whom. In most cases, these quotes are reactions to specific events. They are all in the first person. Character choices are listed below the passages.

1. I told the others not to worry, that I was just going down the path a ways to see what was to be seen. But of course, that wasn’t the case completely. You can’t be too careful on the trail, and if you get a feeling you ought to act on it.

2. I couldn’t believe he’d do that to me. He might just as well have ripped my heart out and stepped on it. How could this man possibly have been someone I once trusted to the depth of my soul?

3. I remembered a story my grandfather told me once, the tale of a prince named Ossain and the land of the Ever Young. Maybe it was too sad for children (the prince dies in the end) but I figured that they were strong kids and could take it. It would show them that things aren’t always what they seemed, and they’d need to learn that if they were ever going to have a prayer of getting on with their new “mom.”

4. I told him no, no more. I wasn’t listening no more. I wasn’t letting him do this to me any more. I told him I knew I wasn’t very smart. That was all right with me. And if I was everything else he said I was, that was all right too. But at least I was mine, whatever was left of me, and not his. How good if felt to say that to him!

5. This sort of thing’s been happening to me for years now. You walk into a situation, everything appears clear-cut, obvious, I-know-just-what-happened. And then one little tiny thing will be out of place. An ashtray a little too close to the end of a table. A cat hair where there shouldn’t be a cat hair. And everything you believed was happening isn’t happening anymore, and you’re back to square one because of some nothing detail you probably wouldn’t have noticed if you were a normal person.

6. I found it difficult to believe that David didn’t try to contact me immediately following Michael’s accident. After all, I had instructed David to keep a watchful eye on Michael and let me know if anything untoward was happening. I believed David was a dependable sort, and I had impressed the urgency of the situation upon him.

7. It’s always me, you know. My fault. The car doesn’t have gas, then it must be because of me. I run short of cash and I get the blame. It’s not like I’m the only one who drives the car, after all. And I’ve got a lot of expenses.

8. He and I got out of the car at the lounge. Everything would have been fine except I didn’t like the way he looked at me. I don’t know what it was about that look, except for a moment I didn’t feel like I was a person anymore, and it was his look that made me feel that way.

9. Some of these guys, they try to weasel out of you. You do your best and you work hard and what do you get? A lie, the old run-around, or even a slap in the face. Basically none of these guys are any good, but at least you can reason with some of them. I don’t let anyone take advantage of me.

10. The last time I saw her, she looked up at me and laughed. I don’t recall her face very well, but I remember her laugh very clearly, sharp and high, almost a gasp. She might as well have been saying, “You mean nothing to me anymore.” I can’t believe she’s gone.

A. Betty, a grandmother who loves her grandchildren.
B. Lauren, a college co-ed.
C. Henry, a distinguished scientist.
D. Gabe, a man well-versed in the ways of the woods.
E. Pete, a detective at the scene of a murder.
F. Jay, a teenager.
G. Kelly, a veteran prostitute.
H. Susan, who had always been a dedicated wife.
I. Steve, suffering a bitter divorce.
J. Maria, who has reached her limit.

For more helpful tips and exercises, visit www.sterlinghouse-bookstore.com and check out:
Writing Aerobics I by C. Sterling and M. Davidson

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