1 Topic by Dirk B. (edited by Dirk B. 2019-07-07 22:29:28)

Topic: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

I'm trying to figure out what that would sound like and if it's even possible. It's come up in my writing.

Quote Post 1

2 Reply by Temple Wang (edited by Temple Wang 2019-05-08 01:22:26)

Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

Dirk B. wrote:

I'm trying to figure out what that would sound like and if it's even possible. It's come up in my writing.

You can do what you want to.  But since “cackling” is typically associated with “shrill” or “sharp” and/or the sound that hens make after laying an egg, the better question is: why the heck would you want to, as it sounds silly and incongruous ...

Quote Post 2

Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

It's not something I had planned to do, but one of my reviewers suggested a demonic cackle for the dark figure in scene 1.2 (show, don't tell), which I thought was good at the time, but when I read it with the edits included, I realized the disconnect.

Thank you, Temple.
Dirk

Quote Post 3

Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

If you've ever seen/heard Vincent Price and his wonderfully evil laughter, then this is the term you need. I tried to come up with a suitable phrase but failed.  Is this what you mean?

Bill

Quote Post 4

Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

I'm more familiar with the Emperor in Star Wars. There were times, especially in the 3rd prequel, where he had a deep voice, but his cackle became iconic. I wonder if they used special effects to deepen his voice in certain scenes.

It's a minor issue in one scene , so I'll stick with a deep voice. That also works better than a higher pitch given who the mysterious demon actual is.

Thanks, Bill

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6 Reply by j p lundstrom (edited by j p lundstrom 2019-05-08 15:07:10)

Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

I tend to agree with Temple--the word 'cackle' brings to mind a shrill, high-pitched sound. That defeats the author's intent to portray a character's deep voice.

Of course, I checked my favorite internet thesaurus and found no synonym for 'cackle' that wound convey danger--they just got shriller and sillier. Most used phrases like 'evil laugh.'  You could try something like 'menacing laughter,' or you could go with 'malevolent,' 'wicked,' 'murderous,' etc.

I would change 'cackle' for another word/ phrase, since there's no guarantee the reader will visualize Vincent Price or the Emperor from Star Wars.

[As for Vincent Price, I always thought he had a rather high-pitched voice for such a big man. And his laughter didn't always convey evil--he was a straight actor, sometimes a romantic lead, long before he became the curator of the House of Wax. And no, I'm not that old, but my mom talked about him all the time.]

JP

Quote Post 6

Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

j p lundstrom wrote:

. . . . And no, I'm not that old, but my mom talked about him all the time.]

JP

That's what we all say. ;-)

Bill

Quote Post 7

Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

Thanks, JP. I dropped cackle in favor of "demonic" chuckle. Lynn suggested using demonic as a way to avoid having to explicitly state that the intruder was a demon. It follows naturally from his description and the demonic chuckle.

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Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

B Douglas Slack wrote:
j p lundstrom wrote:

. . . . And no, I'm not that old, but my mom talked about him all the time.]

JP

That's what we all say. ;-)

Bill

You know it, Bud! Denial is way more than a river in Egypt!  JP

Quote Post 9

Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

JP, liked your comment about "Denial".  There is a story in that phrase...or well could be.

Quote Post 10

Re: Can a deep, rumbling voice cackle? - Characterization

How about "chortle"? You could add Dirk's "Demonic" to the mix.

Bill

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