#even just some non verbal fillers like um can make speech more natural sounding

[danganronpa96]

This might be a redundant question depending on how you look at it, but how do you write a fanfic crossover made up of a random cast of characters.

Because I tried it myself and the dialogue felt way too off for me. Do you have any advice for that?

I think this is a good question actually. Dialogue is a very important part of a character — the way someone speaks is a heavy reflection of their character. In fact, it’s a mixture of what they say, and how they say it (accents, stutters, pauses, hiding information, sharing too much etc.).

The first place to start is to just listen to the character. Either watch, or read (depending on the medium the character comes from) them speak. Try to find different situations, some where they are happy, sad, angry, conflicted, etc. See how they react to different situations, and how their language changes. What words do they usually say? When do they break their usual conventions? Do they have specific speech habits?

Next, see how they interact with other characters within their media. This may be harder if they’re a minor character or don’t interact often with people. Still, try to interpret their relationships with what information you have already.

Now, this is where your creative control comes into play. How does this character interact in a crossover setting? Knowing how they speak to certain types of people already, how would they talk to a character with traits that they like? Don’t like? Talk too often? Too quiet? Who are abrasive? Give them kindness?

I already enjoy writing dialogue, so these things kind of just come naturally to me. But if you feel like your dialogue is off, try to think about how you speak to others in a normal conversation. Think about the tone of the conversation too. Is it a light-hearted chat between friends? Or is it a more formal meeting between acquaintances? Context is a major factor of how the dialogue should flow. I like to think about the types of colloquial phrases characters would say. Things that roll off the tongue without too much thought. A lot of characters tend to speak before they even think, especially in tense situations.

If it helps, also plan a summary of the conversation. How does the topic spark? What is the goal of the speakers? How does new ideas or speakers get introduced, or removed?

It takes practise, but as long as you’re having fun, and taking breaks when you get stuck, you’ll get there ^^

[curiositydriven]

Small physical things that give your character personality.

How they smile:

He grins, eyes bright with it. His habit of grinning has earned him some slight crinkles at the corners of his eyes (also due to his habit of squeezing his eyes shut). He gives smiles and grins so easily due to his friendly and excited personality, but small smiles are not really in his nature and fake ones are impossible.

What their ‘tell’ is for lying:

He is normally one to hold eye contact, but when he’s lying (which is super rare), he can’t look at the person. He also scratches the side of his face and fidgets, tending to also talk in an unusually (for him) slow way, using plenty of filler words like ‘um’.

Posture:

For the most part, he generally holds himself confidently and stands straight with his shoulders back, but when he’s taking photos or sitting at his desk, he hunches inwards. 

Volume of speech, if they’re verbal:

He can be a bit on the loud side, and he has a habit of talking rather fast. He just gets so excited and can barely get everything he wants out.

Nervous tics or habits:

When he’s nervous, he tugs on the lanyard that usually hangs around his neck, or if that’s not present, then he typically has a pen he’ll click or twirl around. He rocks on his heels or taps/bounces his foot too. And, like with the lying, he’ll scratch the side of his face and stumble more with his words.

How much eye contact do they make?

All the eye contact ever. He looks at whoever he’s speaking to or whoever is talking at the moment and he keeps his eyes on theirs. It’s partly because it makes it easier to follow and remember what they’re saying, but he was also raised by an older generation who always impressed on him that you have to look at who you’re talking to. If he’s in the middle of something and someone starts talking to him, he’ll stop what he’s doing in order to face them and give them his full attention. It’s rare that he’ll listen without looking, and he only avoids eye contact when lying or uncomfortable.

In a group conversation, how close do they stand to others? Are they off to the side just listening and occasionally speaking or are they right next to people?

If he’s involved in the conversation, he’s involved and standing right in with everyone else. He has no issue with getting close to others. If he’s not a direct part of the group, he’ll hang back, but it’s likely he’ll get too excited and join in anyway (depending on the topic).

When standing, what do they do with their hands? Talk with their hands, cross their arms, put hands in pockets, prop up against the wall etc

He typically has a camera or notebook in his hands, but when he doesn’t, he is definitely the type to talk with his hands and use big gestures, or just fidget. He is very open as a person and so doesn’t even do the subconscious barrier of crossing his arms or putting his hands in his pockets.

The sound of their footsteps:

They’re a quick beat as he’s most often in a hurry. His steps can be rather loud when he’s running, enthusiasm punching the ground with every step.

Non-verbal greetings: do they wave, nod, hug, glare, punch, high five, something else?

He’s big on waving, he’s always very enthusiastic with them and almost always has a grin along with them. He also is a fan of high fives and will often give them out to his fellow workers at Sorcerer Weekly to celebrate their article or the successful run of an edition.

How do they get others attention? Raise hand, clear throat etc.

Again with the waving, though he’ll stick his hand up first. He’ll give a polite ‘excuse me!’ too if all else fails.

tagging: it’s not really a dash thing but do it anyway!