In my current work in progress I have a few talkative characters, including my protagonist Hannah. I am talkative myself, so it is a lot of fun to shape all these lovers to talk. It is not as easy as it may seem, since I have to make each of them sound different from me. I am learning a lot by doing so. But one of the bigger challenges for me, I found recently, is to shape a less talkative character.
While Hannah started talking to me all by herself, I had to challenge Liam to talk. Our dialogue turned into an interesting experience. See some of my conclusions after the dialogue below.
I, Vica (V): So Liam, let’s get to know you.
Liam (L): OK.
V: Tell me about yourself.
L: Why don’t you do it?
V: Aha, I found your first quirk.
L: If you say so.
V: I don’t say it. I know now! You are short-tongued and closed except when you are with Hannah. You aren’t as talkative to Hans or other people you know.
L: Maybe.
V: Oh, you don’t want to confirm. But I’ll find out anyway. Latest when Hannah will observe you interact with other characters.
L: You probably will. (Curious smile)
V: Do you always smile curiously or do you have also other types of genuine smile?
L: An interesting question. (Grin widening, still curious)
V: You mean quite strange. After I’ve written it, I see this now myself.
No answer from Liam.
V: Aha! Another observation: You’re polite and kind but you are not flattering. If somebody says something you consider stupid, naïve or obvious, you don’t say anything.
More silence in return.
V: Aha… But I feel that you are somehow different with Hannah than with others. I just can’t figure out how exactly.
L: Three.
V: Pardon?
L: You said three times “Aha”.
V: Aha, another interesting trait! You like changing the subject.
L: You might be mistaken.
V: How so?
L: I’m a researcher. It’s in my nature to make an observation.
V: Hmm, maybe.
L: Four, by the way.
V (suspicious and waving away his last comment): No, you’re tricking me somehow.
L: Tricking?
V (reluctant to answer, pondering instead; then a light-bulb experience): I’ve got it! You turn my attention back to myself, to my thinking process.
L: If you say so.
V: I do say so. But look, I really need your help here. How are you different with Hannah?
L (pensive, but still with curious and amused smile): Well, I really like her, and she is indeed special. Surprising and quirky. You did well, on that one.
V (pleased, but at the same time realizing another trick): Thank you, but I asked how, not why. (Excited) Ah, I know! You are truly engaged into the moment when you are with her. You’re detached, disengaged and distanced when you are with most others. As with me now. And… And you are protective of her. (I didn’t expect that.)
Liam says nothing, instead smiles gently and in a melancholic way.
V: Your silence is very expressive.
Liam’s brows raise.
V (ignoring his mimic): Thanks for being honest. But you seem to be sad somehow. Is there a reason?
L: There always is.
V: Not when you fall in love for the first time.
L: If you say so.
V: Is Hannah your first love?
No answer from Liam.
V: Is she your love at all?
A frown joins the raised brows on Liam’s face.
V: All right, all right. Let’s stop for now and finish this interview.
L: OK.
V: Thanks.
L: Don’t mention it.
This is what I learned about Liam from this dialogue. His answers are brief and he doesn’t put many questions himself. Probably in order not to get drawn into a lengthy discussion. His silence is more expressive than his words. He likes saying: “If you say so”. With the brief answers he is giving, he tries to escape the question without really answering. He tries not to be caught. Even if there is no risk or a trap in the questions being asked. He is definitely someone who hides something. Or many things. I am quite curious what I will find out about him. I might know more than you, the reader, but I definitely don’t know everything yet. What I did find out through this exercise, in addition to learning Liam an ounce better, is that the relationship between Hannah and Liam is much more complicated than I have anticipated. I’ll keep you posted.
Picture: I was glad to discover these flowers. They seem to hide their beauty and softness below the rough dry branches. I wonder whether Liam is like that. In respect to softness. He is good looking – I could no avoid that – but he hides his inner truth from others. I am curious to practice expressing this.
P.S. A discovery about myself. I love the word “curious”. 🙂
