The following post is an "interview" with one of my characters in my new book, Godswar. I'm using this to kill two birds with one stone. The first bird is to show how dialogue is used to differentiate and define your characters. The second bird is for my own use, in that I can use this interview to help me define my character's voice more thoroughly.
-Fletcher
Greetings, and welcome to our first of several interviews with the characters from Godswar, an exciting new Epic Fantasy novel from Fletcher Bumpus. Today, we're going to sit down with Tanendor the Elf Mage, one of the three main antagonists in the story.
PB: "Welcome, Tanendor. I trust your journey from Elundria was comfortable?"
Tanendor: "Thank you, it was very comfortable. My master's spell of teleportation works rather well."
PB: "Well, you're here in one piece, so I guess that says a lot!"
Tanendor:(laughs)"I guess that is very true. He is an eccentric man, but thankfully his mind has not completely gone yet."
PB: "I see you brought a friend with you."
Tanendor: "Yes, this Jephin, my familiar. He has been with me since I first began training with my Master."
Jephin, I should note, is a curious creature. Lizard-shaped body but furry, like a long-haired cat. Large eyes and dagger-like claws.
PB: "He seems very intelligent, almost as if he... it is a he, right? As if he is listening to everything we're saying."
Tanendor: "That is correct, he is quite intelligent! He is also my best friend. We have been through so much together. And, he is listening to everything we say. Say hello, Jephin. Stop being so secretive!"
Jephin: "Oh really, Tan, must you spoil my fun? I rather enjoyed playing the simpleton pet this human assumed I was. And you had to go and ruin it for me!"
Tanendor: "Jephin! I am surprised at you, acting this way. I am sure this person was not meaning to insult you. He just did not realize that there are some quadrupeds that are sentient. You must admit, you are rather rare."
Jephin: He obviously saw my surprise in my face "Well, look at him, Tan. He's positively speechless! I could have had so much fun with this one. Oh well, more's the pity. Well, continue on your conversation, human. And please, continue to ignore me. I'm sure I don't want to destroy what little addle-brained mind you have left with my ability to talk."
Tanendor: "Please excuse Jephin. We have just returned to the tower, and he is a bit contrary."
I regain my composure and continue
PB: "Speaking of which, as I understand it you've just returned from a quest your instructor had given you. Can you relate that story to us?"
Tanendor: "Well, there is not a lot to tell really. I was sent to retrieve a spell book from an old crone who lives in the Feroshan swamplands. Do you know where that is? No? It lies just north of the Great Crevice. It used to be a large river, before the Godswar. Now, most of the water has drained into the crevice. What remains doesn't bear mentioning except to say one would not want to venture there unprepared."
PB: "Interesting. Was it dangerous getting this spell book?"
Tanendor: "Somewhat, yes. The crone refused to tell me where it was. It was not a pleasant ordeal, making her confess its location."
Tanendor looks a little shaken at this point. His face loses a bit of color, and his pleasant demeanor has faded. I'm guessing what he had to do was very unpleasant. I decided not to press on this.
PB: "And now you've been to Goodhaven."
Tanendor: "Yes, to help my master with... well, with an issue he is having. It is from there that you summoned me, and I must get back to him. You understand."
PB: "Oh, definitely. Thank you for your time with us, Tanendor. We look forward to seeing how you and your companions do in your upcoming battles."
As you should have noticed in this interview, Tanendor's voice is mild, well-spoken. He annunciates ever word and chooses not to use contractions, almost as if English is a second language to him. This is the voice he will be using through most of my novel. It should be noted, however, that as emotions change, it's likely his voice and demeanor will change. I have a feeling that an angry Tanendor is not a pleasant thing to see.
