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Wannabe Writers is a weekly event held by Sarah at Confessions of the Un-Published.Where I am in the writing process: Same place I've been for the past few weeks. I haven't written since the whole moving process began.
My current problems: Getting back into writing mode. Life has been so hectic the last week that I've barely had time to breathe, let alone write. There are still a lot of little things that need to get done in the house, so I need to make time for writing in the midst of finding a place for everything.
My question this week: Character descriptions. How do you describe a characters appearance?
I tend not to write a lot of overt character description, at least not in first drafts. It bugs me in books when a character says "My long blond hair" or "my sparkling blue eyes", because seriously? We all know what we look like. It just reads a little fake for me. I don't stand in front of the mirror thinking to myself "Wow, my hair looks brown today!" I almost always write in first person, so it's easy for my MC to describe others, but it's hard for me to write self description. I often use it in conversation, someone mentioning something descriptive about the MC. "Wow, that shirt makes your eyes look blue," or something like that. Not always, but I also don't focus a lot on character description anyway. As a reader, I form my own vision of a character, based either on the cover art or basic description by the author. It's not important for me to know exactly what a character looks like. I use my imagination, and expect that if I'm ever published, a lot of the readers will too.
I agree with character description less is more. Leave some room for the reader's imagination.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to get back into sync with writing, when that happens to me I find making a couple of notes before I go to be helpful - even if it's nothing new about your book, or just a diary entry about having trouble with the characters, it helps build the brain back up to writing mode. There's also some great freewriting exercises to try. :-)
Settling in always takes more time than we ever plan for. My last move was a memorable event - one that sold me on the merits of downsizing and getting a packing service if you can! I think you'll get back into the swing of things when the loose ends have been tied.
ReplyDeleteUnless the character is a narcissist, I think that brand of description is hard to swallow. Regardless of ones physical appearance, it's been proven that most rarely believe they're as attractive as others might see them.
Aside from reading other authors, the person in question might look at the services of well known matchmakers to see how they present their clients in a believable fashion. Patti Stanger is a good one to watch. She infuses a huge dose of reality in her practice, and her book provides tidbits on how to present yourself that could be applied for the character in question.
I feel ya on that...I've been taking a writing break and now am trying to get back into it. It's tough. I'm going to have to reread my whole story just to rememeber all those little details I'm constantly having to keep track of.
ReplyDeleteWhat if in a story you never describe the MC? In one of my stories I describe everyone else around her but never her. I still haven't told the reader whether her hair is blond or brown. Is that really important?