Beyond Show vs. Tell: Staying True to Your Characters� Voices
You know how everyone talks about "show vs. tell" like it's all about describing a tear rolling down a cheek instead of just saying someone is sad? Well, lately I've been thinking about another layer of it. One that sneaks into my drafts when I'm not paying close attention. 😉
Confession time. Sometimes, when I’m deep in a story, I realize my characters � who should sound nothing like me � suddenly start thinking and talking like a middle-aged, suburban woman who loves coffee, books, and cozy afternoons. (Wonder where they picked that up. 😂) Not exactly the streetwise and dangerous persona I meant to create and the story needs!
It’s not on purpose! And it’s something I’ve learned to watch for � because staying true to a character’s background and voice is a huge part of authentic storytelling.
Look, you all. This is going to come as a huge shock to some (or not), but I am NOT a mafia princess, socialite, down on her luck twenty-something, or brilliant scientist. Much less a mafioso, military special forces with a chip on my shoulder, shape shifting pack alpha or duke living in the Regency era.
All of those characters and more demand their own voices…not a reflection of mine.
Sometimes, without realizing it, I even code-switch my characters� voices to make them feel more comfortable for myself � softening their language, adjusting their attitudes.
Not because it's true to who they are, but because it feels safer or easier to write. Especially when I can still hear reader voices from years past saying things like, "Don't use that word so often, it ruins the book for me."
But here’s the thing: those readers most likely share my demographic � not my character’s. And if I sand down my character’s rougher edges just to make the story more palatable to my comfort zone...or that of my readers, I’m not telling the character’s story anymore. I’m telling mine.
Only you can decide whether to code-switch your characters� voices to fit certain readers� sensibilities.
But for me? One of the biggest reasons I DNF (did not finish) a book is when characters who are supposed to be dangerous, raw, or rough around the edges sound like they should be ordering a non-fat latte after their book club meeting. 😂
Characters are supposed to sound real � even when their reality isn’t our own.
Every character we create is a little spark of life we’re setting loose on the page. They deserve the dignity of their own voice � not one that's been edited down to match our comfort zone.
So, how do we write authentic voices? Research. Research. Research.
You can absolutely tell the difference between an author who researches people, subcultures (like the mafia world), times in history, etc. from the one whose knowledge comes from fictional stories about those things, whether in books, on T.V. or in the movies. Take time to get to know the type of person your character is supposed to be and stay true to that person. Watch documentaries. Listen to local dialects on YouTube. Read nonfiction. Take notes. Interview when and if you get the chance.
The times our characters sound most like us is when our only reference to the world they live in is in our imagination. If your world is a fantasy one you built, you can still research personality types, character archetypes, language codes for people in different places in society. It would be a lot of fun to turn some of these expectations on their head, but intentionally. Not because we don’t know any different.
At the end of the day, writing is all about connection � between the story, the characters, and the reader. Staying true to each character’s authentic voice, even when it feels a little uncomfortable or different from our own, honors that connection. It’s not about writing for every reader’s sensibilities; it’s about letting our characters live and breathe as who they truly are. And honestly? That’s where the real magic of storytelling happens. �
When we trust our characters to be fully themselves, we don’t just tell better stories... we tell truer ones. And that's the kind of writing that lingers in a reader’s heart long after they’ve finished the last page. 💖
Until next time!
Lucy
P.S. I'd love to hear from you � have you ever caught yourself slipping into your own voice when writing a character? (Tell me I’m not the only one! 😂) Let's chat in the comments!
With more than 12.5 million copies of her books sold worldwide, Lucy’s an award winning and USA Today bestselling author with 95+ published books. Her stories have been translated for sale all over the world and after a long career in traditional publishing, she’s gone indie. She loves the freedom to write the stories both her and her loyal readers enjoy the most. Her steamy mafia romance series, Syndicate Rules features the morally gray alpha heroes and spice she love to write. She also writes contemporary, historical and paranormal romance. Some of her books have action adventure and intrigue. All of them are steamy and deeply emotional. She’s a voracious reader and loves to talk about both her books and those she’s read (or should read…good recs are always welcome). Welcome to her world where love conquers all, but not easily!
For info on all of Lucy’s books, visit .
Find her on social media:
BookBub: Lucy Monroe
goodreads: Lucy Monroe
Facebook: LucyMonroe.Romance
Instagram: lucymonroeromancePinterest: lucymonroebooks
YouTube: @LucyMonroeBooks
Threads: lucymonroeromance
