Voice Week 2013: Monday

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First day of Voice Week! Going with a dialogue angle this year. Read everyone else’s voices here.

“They was out in the hall when they broke up. Ah heard the whole thing. Ah poke mah head outside the do’ when she was gone, he was leanin’ on the wall, lookin’ like he was about to cry. Ah aksed him, was he gonna be O.K.?—He was always a good boy, heppin’ me carry mah groceries up the stair.—An’ he look at me and he say, ‘Miss Emma? Ah was gonna marry that girl.’ An’ ah says, ‘Well ah guess you just gonna hafta marry some other girl. And that’s O.K.’ An’ he smile at me. He was sad, but ah jus don’t think that boy’d kill his-self. Had to much sense to be doin’ some foolish thing like that.”

Who is it? Stick your thoughts in the comments.

About Stephanie Orges

Stephanie is an award-winning copywriter, aspiring novelist, and barely passable ukulele player. Here, she offers writing prompts, tips, and moderate-to-deep philosophical discussions. You can also find her on and Pinterest.
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16 Comments

  1. Ooh, ah do hope you gonna do a meestree this’n week, an tell us de answer at the end!

    great start. I look forward to seeing tomorrow’s…

  2. Hm… older lady, obviously. Inquisitive, compassionate, low-income (maybe a retiree?) I like her wry wit. “guess you just gonna hafta marry some other girl” indeed.

    Looking forward to the next bit!

  3. I love the innocence which you gave the speaker! Obviously wise beyond her years, but still with the simple (not a bad thing!) outlook on life and a good bit of laisse-tombe. Can’t wait to read more!

  4. My first thoughts for Miss Emma, is she is talking to the police, about something that happened in a run-down apartment block. Is the boy dead or is she putting two and two together? Don’t think she’s that old, either – Emma sounds young-ish.

    Sorry I’m not in the mix this year – a bit busy!

    • You’re right about the police and the boy! I pictured her older though. Perhaps the “miss” is throwing people off?

      I understand busy! Glad you have you reading though!

  5. I really like the character you’ve created here — stern, no-nonsense type, yet she clearly has a warm heart.

    And already the plot is thickening… Looking forward to more!

  6. I love the innocence in this voice, really effective -and an intriguing plot..certainly sounds like a witness relaying events back to the police. ✨

  7. I love, love voices written in nonstandard dialects. It brings so much life to a character, because for most people the inside of their head doesn’t follow prescriptive grammar rules and use complete sentences. I also love the dryness of Emma, which shows she’s the old and wise type, I think. Definitely makes me want to know more.

  8. I love the friendliness, the matter-of-fact of this character. She just tells it like it is.

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