I am not sure about your ethnic characters. The blonde looks strange and does not appear to be 14 years old (I have, by accident, a 14-year-old, blonde daughter). If you don't want to look her silly blonde, how about a ponytail? It's a practical, mundane hair-do and does not lead to ... well, fantasies. Her dress however looks in my guess pretty 'blonde'. She needs black jeans, a fancy top and a jacket with chequers. The core african girl looks a bit like a caribbean beauty, so I think. Most african girls that I know have a more negroid face shape that looks not so doll-like, but a bit more austere, strong and powerful. And the skin tone is not so warm. Well - it's only my guess regarding the claim depicting exemplary characters.

just my opinion but i never could stand listening to anyone speaking aave it sounds like they are trying to sound as if slavery just ended

Standard English. I've a A_A Nephew-in-law who speaks excellent Standard American. go with that, unless you want her to sound like she is from the Ghetto. As for the blonde - Jeans and a top, get rid of that hairdo! Pony tail or short

The right-hand character looks younger (maybe 14, what do I know?) than the blond. As for dialect, most dialect is class-based rather than racial in the US. For example, rich people (regardless of race) are very likely to speak SAE. Most of the black people in the US that speak AAVE outside the home are generally poor, and they usually tend to speak AAVE inside the home also. And to be realistic, unless you speak AAVE fluently yourself, you'll probably come off as insulting and condescending. It's not just a matter of a few words, it's a true dialect, which is extremely difficult for people to learn without a native speaker guiding you. Most professional writers can't manage it. Even on TV and the movies it's mostly done for comedy rather than realism. At any rate, it's your story and you've done fine so far. - J

They both looking great -maybe a 14 year old (the blonde) would chose something not so "baby doll" looking outfit? I'm not an American but different dialects can give a story a lot but the dialect has to be genuine all the way or it easily sounds weird or clumsy or maybe even offending to the real speakers of this dialect! One have to keep in mind - no language or dialect of a language is basically better or the opposite, second class. I know what is called "correct" language and dialect is a hot topic in US of historical reasons. I write stories in my own language (Danish) and I'm trying to get the personal effects more by "ping pong" dialoges and assigning special phrases to separate persons rather than make them speak a special dialect! But at last - I do art and write in a way where I'm feeling good! Best wishes Rhanagaz aka. Johnny C.

My, the previous posts have said just about everything I was going to say. But, maybe a bit less buxom stature for the blond - she's only 14 and breast size is not yet fully developed. A smaller size would make her look more her age. And, please DON'T abandon Didi, Helen et al. With more characters, all the more situations! Keep up the good work! :-)

The one on the right looks good, the blond, I think an outfit change would help. Here current outfit makes her look like an older girl trying to look young. (if that makes sense). As far as how the AA girl should speak, I say go with standard english or a southern accent. Speaking as a nerdy southern African american, myself and my friend that are the same tend to not speak AAVE. and since your character's a nerd speaking AAVE wouldn't fit. Just a thought for you, would Lori Winslow from Family Matters or Vanessa Huckstable from the Cosby show sound right speaking slang? I figured you're a child of the 80's, so those references would make sense. lol.

Excellent work!!

Yeah, I'd go with Knechtruprecht's dress suggestion. Personally, there's not much Vic clothing that isn't suggestive, you kinda have to hunt for it. As to dialect, I'd stick with SAE, unless you are very well versed in the subculture in question. As to AAVE, no one here speaks like that or they're pretty much branded as a goof. That was never part of the culture up here, so it always comes across as being obviously phony.

Better, "Safe" - than - "Sorry". Black people speak in the dislect that reflects their environment. I, speak in a dialect that reflects where I am at the time. At work, I speak in a professional manner at all times. When home speaking with them, I use a tone especially suited for my kids and hubby. When out with friends, it depends on the "Friends" - my black friends, I speak that slang with them, if with "White" friends, I spare them and speak what's easy for them. As a writer, be mindful of what YOU ARE - and write a dialect that does not stereotype the character. Now, as for looks, the blonde a no on the hair, get the Neftis ponytail - perfect for a blonde 14 year old. http://www.daz3d.com/i/3d-models/-/addition-hairstyles?item=7681&spmeta=ab&_m=d - as for clothing, depends on her upbringing, lifestyle and parents financial means. The black girl, I'm undecided on her hair, but what you have is not too bad, or you could go with a bob for her hair, everything else, perfect. Good luck - go for it!