Definition
In dialogue craft, voice is the distinctive way a character sounds on the page through word choice, rhythm, formality, and habit of speech. Voice helps readers identify a speaker even without a tag.
Example
A retired sailor who calls every problem a "swell" and never uses ten words when four will do has a recognizable voice.
Related terms
Common mistakes
- Marking voice with dialect spelling so heavy it slows reading.
- Giving a character voice tics that never shift with mood or context.