Editorial Notes = clarifying information, additional insight, annotations

Hiya Reader,

I was recently reminded of a classic anecdote used in discussions about precise language in writing. The anecdote may or may not be true, but it certainly makes a point.

A student wrote that a woman had tripped down a flight of stairs, lying "prostitute on the floor." The professor wrote in the margin that "you seem to have confused a fallen woman with one who merely slipped."

ICYMI: Related/Unrelated Grammarly is now Superhuman.
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Example of the Week

Sometimes this is a good example—or a great one. Sometimes this is a bad example—or just a funny blooper. Sometimes a combination. You never know.

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Okay, look. I just have one question here: what are you supposed to do with your #2 should the occasion necessitate it?

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Actionable Tip of the Week

A trick to add to your self-editing toolbox right now!

Have you ever written dialogue that sounds like every character graduated from the same School of Generic Speech? You're not alone. Creating distinct character voices is one of those writing challenges that can make even seasoned authors want to hide under their desks with a cup of coffee and a good cry.

Here's the thing: your characters need to sound like actual people, not like you wearing different hats. And one of the best ways to develop those unique voices is through character voice journals, a technique that's surprisingly simple and oddly addictive once you get started.

Think of voice journals as practice sessions for your characters' speech patterns. Instead of jumping straight into your novel's dramatic confrontations or plot-heavy scenes, you write short entries where each character discusses completely ordinary things like their morning coffee routine, thoughts on the weather, or complaints about traffic. The magic happens when you force yourself to write these mundane observations in each character's distinct voice.

The beauty of this approach lies in its simplicity. When there's no plot pressure or dramatic stakes, you can focus entirely on how your characters express themselves. Does your protagonist use short, clipped sentences when frustrated? Does your villain have a tendency toward flowery language even when ordering pizza? These journals help you discover and refine these quirks.

First, pick three to five main characters from your current project. Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to develop every minor character's voice at once. Create a simple document or notebook section for each character.

Start with everyday topics that anyone might have opinions about: grocery shopping, bad weather, their least favorite household chore, or what they'd order at a coffee shop. Write 100-200 word entries from each character's perspective on the same topic.

Voice journals become incredibly valuable during the editing phase. When you're revising dialogue and realize everyone sounds suspiciously similar, return to your journals. Read your character's entries aloud, then read their dialogue in your manuscript. The difference should be immediately apparent.

Use your journals as a reference guide when fine-tuning dialogue. If your character's journal entry reveals they use particular phrases or have specific speech rhythms, incorporate those elements into their story dialogue. Maybe your character always says "I figure" instead of "I think," or they tend to trail off when uncomfortable rather than finishing difficult sentences.

Set aside fifteen minutes a few times a week for voice journal writing. Treat it like a warm-up exercise before diving into your main writing session.

Try rotating through your characters systematically. Monday might be Character A's day to complain about their commute, Tuesday Character B gets to rant about their neighbor's dog, and so on. This regular practice builds muscle memory for each voice.

When you notice dialogue feeling flat during editing, pause and write a quick journal entry for that character about something completely unrelated to your story. Often, this exercise helps you reconnect with their unique voice and approach to expressing thoughts.

After a few weeks of voice journaling, you'll find yourself naturally writing more distinct dialogue in your first drafts. Your characters will start to feel like separate people rather than variations of yourself, and readers will be able to identify speakers even without dialogue tags.

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Reader Question of the Week

Frances wrote: What's your advice on the ethics of writing about real people in autofiction?

Frances! Great question. My advice also relates to any other type of writing in which real people, especially those still living, appear. Nonfiction, memoir, etc. When including real people in your writing, even with changed identifying details, you need to balance creative truth with ethical responsibility.

First, cut anyone who isn't essential to your story's through-line, especially if you only have negative things to say about them.

If a character is essential, follow these guidelines:

Stick to verifiable facts that anyone present would have witnessed. Choose neutral adjectives and verbs. Describe what happened without editorial judgment—like saying flowers are "pink" rather than "beautiful."

When moving beyond pure facts, keep it firmly within your own experience, i.e. how events made you feel, what they spurred you to do, or how they explained later developments. For fiction in particular, factual accuracy matters less than emotional authenticity. You can capture the essence of a person or situation while altering the literal details.

Change as many identifying characteristics as possible while preserving the emotional truth of the character. With billions of people on Earth, make it impossible to pinpoint the specific individual. That said, people sometimes see themselves in characters who weren't based on them at all.

Finally, if you want to (or have to!) maintain a relationship with someone who will certainly read your work, consider showing them the relevant sections beforehand.

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Link of the Week

I am unfortunately an unskilled sleeper. This advice suggests I should just wear socks. What do you think? Can it really be that easy?

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I ❤️ Hearing from You!

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Thanks for reading!

~Helene, your writing sherpa

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