Finding Voice In Social Storytelling And TTRPGs
Voice in writing is the use of vocabulary, tone, and prose that make a unique flow. Characters in RPGs have a voice, and no, I don't just mean the accent you put on, and your entire narrative as a DM, writer, or player all can have a voice. But what about your voice? Who are you, and what does your voice say about you? D&D and other tabletop games can be a safe and wonderful place to practice having a voice, but moving it into your day-to-day, finding the confidence to be the real you can be more challenging than any boss fight.
Practicing Tone
A barbarian's storytelling voice may be bombastic, while a rogue's may be subtle and snarky. So what is your tone? Are you a quiet individual who is quick with a joke? Or are you a loud person that makes your thoughts known no matter the situation? Dungeons and Dragons can be the perfect place to practice tone and perhaps find the authentic voice that speaks to your soul.
Orpheus, the Valor Bard, is a child of tragedy who speaks in loud tones and expressive gestures in a vain attempt to mask his perpetual grief and self-isolation. Only through the admiration of others does he find his self-worth, and his voice is one of sorrow that touches the souls of those who listen to his poems.
As a beginning player and dungeon master, I initially had problems finding my voice and often came across as mild-mannered and unable to confront problem players. I was afraid of being too aggressive or to speak for myself and the players at the table. However, as my confidence at the head of the table grew with time spent practicing, I found that I could offer an influential and respected tone while keeping a calm head and kindness for those in my games.
How Do I Find My Storytelling Voice?
My process may differ from yours, and these steps could be different from yours and can be tackled in any order. But, to find my voice and the voice of my characters or NPCs, I practice the following:
Offer a short description with several adjectives to describe yourself or the character. Are you subtle, snarky, and quick? Or loud, aggressive, and fueled by spite? Only you, or your character, can answer this.
Orpheus would describe himself as charismatic, outgoing, and the greatest lamenter of heroes that the Fates saw fit to grace the world. Yet, if he were honest, he'd say he was an imposter who cannot fathom why people call on him to perform.
Ask yourself, what influences me or my character? Everyone has a backstory, even you, and we all have exposure to various cultures. I grew up in a relatively low middle-class American family and experienced my parent's divorce early in life. I was raised to be independent and a sheep in a mass of others within the large city I grew up in. Patriotism, individuality, and religious dogma were the cultural and personal influences that led me to become the bard I am today.
Our famed Valor Bard never met his mother, who gave her life in exchange for the soul of her stillborn baby. He was raised to venerate the God of the Dead, Hades, and taught from a young age to use his gifted talents to sing the praises of better men who died after devoting themselves to valorous deeds.
Speak with feeling and embrace emotion. Your voice will change depending upon the situation, and to numb out emotion is to do a disservice to those who care enough for you to play a long-running game, or even a one-shot, for that matter. If you are playing a cleric, ask yourself what emotions they would feel when meeting a poor orphan child vs. confronting a mad tyrant who orphaned that child. Both can inspire pity and anger, but your reactions and tone will be different every time. Vulnerability and honesty don't come from tranquility; they come from the fires and ice of emotion that drive us as human beings.
The magic in Orpheus' voice doesn't resonate until he throws himself into the mix. Sure, he can sing high tunes and quick pop songs, but it's only when he digs deep and brings up that pain that his voice thrums with the notes of bardic magic.
Talk to people. If you struggle to find the influences and adjectives that describe your voice, ask your readers or other players at the table what tone they receive from your speech, works, and characters. You may be attempting to have a specific style, and the feedback of others can help you dial into that particular feeling to create something wholly unique to you.
There is a reason that people love sad songs, those about heartbreak, loss, and failure. It's because the throughlines between them are all emotions that we can relate to, and if Orpheus asked his companions how they saw him, he would be more likely to allow his vulnerabilities to shine through.
Finally, ask yourself if that tone of voice is something or someone you would interact with or enjoy. If you don't love yourself, your works, or your characters, then sharing it with the world can be more difficult.
"What do we say to that specter of death?
Our hands bloodied and hearts broken.
How do we pray when we end up like Macbeth?
Your voice muddied with words unspoken.
Who is unburdened to stay the final breath?
Our eyes studied for the ferryman takes his token.
When is the day we drink deep from the lethe?
Something to break us away
Someone to shatter our final play
Somewhere that scatters our ashes gray
Somehow release burdens upon which our sins weigh”
-Orpheus, The Valor Bard
