How do you distinguish your voice from the character's in free indirect speech?

3 Subtle Shifts

Mastering subtle shifts between your narrative voice and the character's thoughts is crucial. It's like changing gears in a car; you want the transition to be smooth and barely noticeable, but still distinct. To achieve this, you might introduce the character's thoughts with narrative cues or gently weave them into the action. The key is to ensure that these transitions don't jar the reader out of the flow but rather deepen their engagement with the text.

4 Consistent Tones

Maintaining a consistent tone in your narrative voice while allowing the character's tone to fluctuate with their emotions is an effective strategy. Your narrative voice should be the steady baseline, calm and controlled, while the character's voice can vary from joyful to despondent. This contrast will highlight the character's thoughts without confusing them with the narrator's perspective.

5 Narrative Anchors

Use narrative anchors to ground the reader whenever you switch from the narrator's voice to the character's internal dialogue. These anchors can be physical actions, dialogue tags, or changes in the scene that make it clear whose voice is taking precedence. By providing these signposts, you ensure that your audience remains oriented within the narrative and can easily distinguish between the different voices.

6 Language Patterns

Pay attention to language patterns to differentiate between your voice and the character's in free indirect speech. Your narrative might employ a more sophisticated vocabulary, while the character's thoughts might be simpler and more direct. This distinction in language use helps to create a clear demarcation line, signaling to readers when they are privy to the character's personal reflections.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?