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Writing Advice & Discussion
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Character Descriptions
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I reveal the character's appearance bit by bit. Some authors prefer to describe them all in one go (i.e. the typical "she looked into the mirror" scene). As for the amount of character description, I prefer to make it more detailed rather than leaving everything to the reader - but that's because I write fantasy, and it seems that novels of that genre lean towards the specific side of character descriptions.
As a reader I would say that a description is kind of important in a romance book. But if it's not a romance, and I'm not falling in love with the characters, then it's not as vital. But I always appreciate at least a vague description.
I too go light on descriptions. I write in the POV of a man, and we all know they're not inclined to describe much. As for himself, it's done indirectly. I assume the readers are paying a little attention (at least I hope). He won't say what color is his hair, but someone might say that he's got the same color as his mother's, and since his mother's hair is dark brown, well... Another hint is with something he does often. He blows his hair out of his face/eyes etc. This tells the readers he wear his hair somewhat long. With other hints the length becomes clearer.
@Amanda Strange but in romance, I prefer not too much descriptions so I can imagine the characters as I like them and not as the author imagine beauty. For example, someone might love aquiline nose, while I prefer straight. So a man described with the author's favorite features might not absolutely please everyone, while left to the imagination, it can go a long ways.
That's true, too much description can be a bad thing sometimes. But I guess I enjoy things that are also not necessarily physical. Like when describing the look in someone's eyes. But I think from a girls POV they notice more things, like the way a guys hair falls on his face. I am kind of annoyed with perfect characters though. Have you read
? I really love the descriptions in that book. It has both the male and female POV.
Amanda wrote: "That's true, too much description can be a bad thing sometimes. But I guess I enjoy things that are also not necessarily physical. Like when describing the look in someone's eyes. But I think from ..."Thanks for the suggestion! As a writer, I try to make characters not too perfect because I think that's too cliche. Even though I'm writing a sci-fi/fantasy novel, I still want my characters to be realistic so that the readers could believe that they may exist in our world too.
Lena wrote: "I go light on description unless it is a big part of the character's thought process (insecure about height or weight or some such). It really depends on your pov and genre. What are yours?"I'll be writing in first person pov and I'm writing a sci-fi/fantasy novel.
Oh nice! I really like first person pov, because it puts you in the character's head. What's it about? I love sci-fi and fantasy.
Ah, first POV and sci-fi/fantasy... what's not to love? You just named my favorite pov and my favorite genre. :P
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Or that's how I see it. I love first person pov, too. My descriptiveness varies greatly depending on the pov character. Like GG said, my male characters don't describe so much, while a catty girl might describe lots (and it gives you leeway to play with the tone of the description, too...jealous? scornful? admiring?)
I wouldn't go overboard, but readers seem to like description in small doses, and it's so much fun to write!
My writing mentor once told me: when introducing a character to your main character (or POV focus), have that main character choose one or two details about the new character that they find particularly interesting. Maybe a big nose and poorly combed hair. Or he has a twitch in his eye and his hands keep jittering. Just keep it to important and characteristic details at first. Stuff that'll help the reader distinguish who this person is.
As I am going further into the process of writing, I am trying to implement character descriptions. However, this is usually my weakest points when it comes to describing people in general. I see my characters in my head, but I don't know how to describe them. I want to describe them briefly so I can leave the rest to the readers because it's always interesting to see what the readers will imagine them to be.