Weekly topics for discussion - Character descriptions: do you need them?

[Jonetta]

When I start a story, one of the first things I try to do is form a mental image of the main characters. It's not just their physical characteristics that help me visualize them but those details are important. Most of the time authors' provide them but there are occasions when they're missing or provided so late in the story that I'm left to my own imagination.

So, are the characters' descriptions important to you in creating a visual image of them while reading stories? What do you do if these details aren't provided? Do you prefer having them pictured on the covers?

[~~Poulomi Sylphrena Tonk$~~]

Yeah, I do like a detailed description of the character because that evidently helps in relating to the characters in a better way. Moreover, i prefer the story written in first person, from one or the other protagonist's POV.
And if not, then i leave it upto myself. I create a picture, i find most appropriate, and put them in theirs place. And most of this work gets done in my dreams, as i have this uncanny (and absurd, according to my family, LOL!) habit of dreaming of myself in a setup identical to the one, the novel i'm currently reading is focussed on. But sometimes forming that picture takes pretty much time, and you eventually give up all interest in the book, so that it forever remains unfinished.

And about cover illustrations, yeah, it does help, though many a times, it ruins the entire picture i try to form throughout the book. So, i think the best way out is to be left at the pity of our authors. :)

[Jonetta]

That's pretty amazing, Poulomi! I have a friend that pictures herself as the heroine in every book but doesn't have the dream sequences you have.

[~~Poulomi Sylphrena Tonk$~~]

Its fun for me, and the best part is, unlike most dreams which i normally forget on waking up, these remain. Atleast till i end that book. He he! :D

[Janeiowa]

I also like descriptions of the characters, but I can do my own if they are not provided.

I dislike many of the covers. It seems the male character is portrayed by some sort of metrosexual/male model who is way too feminine for the character I'm reading. I've also found covers seem to have been chosen by someone read the book.

First person narration is a turn off for me.

[Talya]

I love character descriptions! It makes the experience so much better for me when I can picture the characters, especially the hero ;-)

I think covers are more often for fun and appeal than accuracy to the story. I like a cute sexy guy on the cover, but I'm used to many covers not actually being a good representation of the book nowadays. It's better to have a really simple cover with something that symbolizes the plot, setting or a poignant moment in the book.

[Maggie]

I like a description of the characters but it's not a big deal if there isn't one in the story. I always visualize the characters and it Usually isn't exactly how the author describes them. In my head the characters never look like the people on the book covers.

[Jonetta]

I rely on the author to give me basic details (height, hair and eye colors) and then I take it from there. One of the things that is a pet peeve is when the author provides these type details really late in the story (more than 50-60% into the book). By that time, I've made up those details on my own. I'm just curious as to why they chose to handle it this way.

My other peeve is when the cover bears no relation to the character description in the story, I mean really off. It's hard for me to ignore and just bugs me the entire time I'm reading. I prefer to not see faces on the cover but can handle it just fine when they're provided, though.

[Calle]

I like to know at least hair and eye color of the characters that I'm reading about. I create a mental picture and the more detail I get, the better. I've read books where I've gotten nothing and it's the literary version of nails on a chalkboard to me. The characters are faceless heads in my head and it just annoys me to no end. Even a few details are better than nothing.

[Jonetta]

I'm with you, Calle give me a place to start.

[Lisa]

Yes I like descriptions as mentioned by others I like to create a mental image that's why I like to read the books before seeing the movie (if one) so I don't keep seeing the actor.

[Jonetta]

I almost never read a book after I've seen the movie for that reason.