Module 8 – Narrative Voice vs Character Voice

Question 1

Finish this sentence: The narrative voice should be…

Answer 1

3. …agreed upon before recording begins.

Well done. It will save studio time and any nasty surprises if you agree on the narrative voice with the publisher and producer before you get into the studio.

Question 2

True or false: The narrative voice is always in the third person.

Answer 2

2. False

Correct. The narrative voice may be in the first person and it may be the same voice as one of the characters.

Question 3

How can you avoid ‘bleed’ between character voices and the narrative voice? (3 answers)

Answer 3

1. Practice moving from one character to another and back again.
2. Marking up so you are clear who is speaking.
3. Noting character ‘thumbnails’ in the text.