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Patricia Reding
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Science Fiction & Fantasy
Author Insight
Patterns of Speech
One of the most difficult things when writing, is to make at least some people identifiable by the unique way that they speak. I once read that for Tom Sawyer. Mark Twain used up to 30 unique local dialects. I don't know if that is true, but I know that when reading his works out loud, some characters sound distinctly different from others. The situation with Jacob in this scene in one in which I included an unusual way for this character to speak. These can be difficult to write--and difficult to read--but in at least some instances, they can lend an authenticity to a work. Do you agree?
Book Excerpt
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They approached the front desk, behind which sat a slight young man. His overlarge ears, tipping out from the sides of his head, lent him an almost comical look.
“Excuse me?” Basha stifled her grin. She surmised that many had teased the young man about his ears. She could hear his tormentors now. “What are those for? Flying?” they might have asked. Or perhaps they’d suggested, “If you don’t have room in your pockets to store your things, you might use your ears.”
“Ahhh . . . yes, ma’am.” The clerk put down his book and brushed his clean, dark hair away from his sparkling brown eyes.
The Oathtaker read the name on his badge. “Jacob?”
“That’s right. Can I help you?”
She smiled. “We’re here to see to some duties for the first family. You might recognize Therese, here.” She gestured toward her charge at her side.
“Ahhhhh, oh, of course!” the young man exclaimed. He jumped to his feet, then bowed slightly. Standing straight again, he threw his shoulders back. “Welcome. Welcome! Ahhhhh . . . will you require accommodations?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Well . . . let’s see what I can, ahhhh . . . find for you.”
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