Share a quote from one of your characters
One of the best things about writing is that you get to put words in other people's mouths. We can make our characters say daft, funny lines, or have them tear at our heartstrings with moving expressions of love, fear, anger or regret. In a weird way, the characters we invent become a bit like our children. They're a part of us, but different.
It's hard to choose, but of all the characters I've created, Mr. Tinkles, the daunting, but terribly polite, gorilla in Fur-Face, will always have a place on my list of favorites.
When I wrote his dialogue, I tried to imagine them spoken by British actor, Terry Thomas, who so often played a cad in movies from the 50s and 60s (he also voiced, Sir Hiss, in Disney's Robin Hood (1973)).
I liked the idea of a giant, 500lb gorilla having a suave voice and impeccable manners, even in the face of mortal danger.
Here's what he yells at cruel billionaire, Benedict Barnum, after learning he's about to fight to the death for the amusement of his human captors:
"Your hair needs a trim, human, and I certainly wouldn't wear those shoes with that color tie if I were you!"
Not exactly colorful language, but somehow, I couldn't imagine him saying anything worse. Besides, sometimes, the unexpected can have more impact, don't you think?
How about you?
Care to share a quote from one of your characters?
If it's from a book or story available online, feel free to include a link.