Physical Attributes Entry: Neck

Physical description of a character can be difficult to convey—too much will slow the pace or feel 'list-like', while too little will not allow readers to form a clear mental image. If a reader cannot imagine what your character looks like, they may have trouble connecting with them on a personal level, or caring about their plight. 




One way to balance the showing and telling of physical description is to showcase a few details that really help 'tell the story' about who your character is and what they've been through up to this point. Think about what makes them different and interesting. Can a unique feature, clothing choice or way they carry themselves help to hint at their personality? Also, consider how they move their body. Using movement will naturally show a character's physical characteristics, keep the pace flowing and help to convey their emotions.






NECK






c/o Stoneraven @ Stock.xchange




Descriptors: thick, squat, fat, long, skinny, wrinkly, flabby, short, weak, stiff, tight, sore, tense, graceful, elegant



Things Necks Do (and other words/phrases to describe those actions):


Turn: bend, come around, pivot, roll, rotate, swivel, twist, swing, jerk
Stretch: roll, extend, crane, lengthen, pull



Key Emotions and Related Neck Gestures: 


When a person is feeling anxious or tense, the neck will tighten, with the skin stretching taut and the tendons standing out. People will often roll, stretch, or massage the neck in an effort to relieve stress.
At the onset of embarrassment, a flush will usually start at the neck and creek upward into the face, giving a hot and prickling sensation.
Strong emotion, such as fear or anger, can tighten the body's muscles, making the neck feel sore and stiff. Prolonged stress can lead to muscle pain in the neck, headaches, and migraines.



Simile and Metaphor Help:                         



The day after the accident, my neck felt like one fused bone instead of a series of small hinged ones.
I stretched my arms, trying to find space in the sleeves. Why hadn't I tried on this antique days ago, before it was too late? I could feel Mom's glare while the pastor droned on, but I couldn't turn my head to look at her; one move, and the tourniquet collar would cut off circulation and that would be it. Death by polyester.




Clichés to Avoid : necks thick as tree trunks; comparing short-necked people to frogs; referring to stubborn people as stiff-necked; long necks compared to a giraffe's or swan's



HINT: When describing any part of the body, try to use cues that show the reader more than just a physical description. Make your descriptions do double duty. Example: Ana towered over the other girls on the soccer field, which in other circumstances might've been a good thing. But out here, while everyone else was muscular and solid, she was gangly, with scrawny limbs and a flower-stalk neck. Why did PE have to be required?




BONUS TIP: The Colors, Textures & Shapes Thesaurus in our sidebar might help you find a fresh take on some of the descriptors listed above!