Thinky Thoughts

[cornerofmadness]

I've started a new story where one of the characters is approximately seven (okay he's two but he's a godling and aging faster), problem: i don't know how seven year olds talk and all the kids sound too adult.

Now i don't want pages of baby talk since no one wants to read that but i need to figure out how to lighten things up and make it sound more childish (this is not earth btw, tech level around the 1930's). Suggestions?

Also looking for trouble a 7 year old boy and girl can get into.

Thanks

Comments

[roguewords.livejournal.com]

guess what?

7 year olds can sometimes sound like 27 year olds and vice versa. It entirely depends upon things like the background of the person (or character) in question.

A kid who has had to grow up very quickly for whatever reason is going to sound more grown up.

I personally think that part of the reason people think that I'm so young is that I speak young. Not that I can't sound "like an adult," just that I still sound like a teenager when I'm talking.

And a seven year old boy and girl can get into almost any kind of trouble you want.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

that's the thing the 7 years I personally know sound terribly adult. i think i'll just write it that way and tweak it as ai go

[roguewords.livejournal.com]

Always a good plan. :)

[lyricnonsense.livejournal.com]

One of the things I've found helpful for writing younger children is to look at the world from their POV (yes, I've wandered around my room on my knees trying to describe how a small child might approach furniture, etc in a room).

Also, young children tend to be easier to distract, so maybe using normal speech but having them switch topics abruptly might work? Is it possible to go to a park or playground and just watch kids for a bit without coming off like a perv?

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

those are some good suggestions thanks.

young children tend to be easier to distract, so maybe using normal speech but having them switch topics abruptly might work

hell i do that all the time myself. following one of my conversations is like trying to thread a needle while the sewing machine's running

And now a word from negative nelly

[0-mother-0.livejournal.com]

In my experience, kids are very self centered. They want. They need. It's all about them. They also speak without thinking (like that whole 'kids say the darnedest things'). They also tend to be pretty hyper and restless. And impatient. Time seems to move differently in kid world.

Years ago, when Aron (neighbor child) was still only 7 or 8, I fell and sprang my wrist bad enough for an arm brace. After asking how badly it hurt, and in the same breath, she asked if I could still drive cause she wanted a snow cone.

Of course, there are always exceptions. Just think of Willy Wonka. He found one good egg out of 5.

Re: And now a word from negative nelly

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

oh the character in question has got the self centered thing going and he's pretty manipulative too of the unsuspecting adults around him

[scribesds.livejournal.com]

This website gives a general view of children and might help a bit. Given that this is a 30's world, you might like to check out the 6-7 range, as well. It should give you some ideas for 'naughtiness', too.

http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/training/cdevguid/cdg09.htm

Good luck!

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thanks! I appreciate it

[a2zmom.livejournal.com]

They tend to be very direct. Not a lot of metaphors there, lol. They see cause and effect, but much more black and white than adults.

[cornerofmadness.livejournal.com]

thanks. Thats good to remember and they don't use proper terms for a lot of things which i had to remember today