I'm writing my first novel, of which the main character is a 14 year old girl. I've read just over a million novels, but can't seem to describe my character very well. Do any of you have a method to your descriptions, some sort of basic plan of attack?
Thanks for your help!
Jim
Well it depends on your POV and the tone you're going for and what type of story you're writing. Some people explain down to tiniest details, others leave everything out but maybe hair color. Some use no description at all. Any method works, if well written. Go through some books that you think influence your style and see how and when they threw in character descriptions.
To avoid some cliches (the exception, for all of these, is if it fits the voice, imo)
Don't have her describe herself in a mirror
Don't editorialize on her appearance if you're writing first or close third (my beautiful, hairless, smooth, perfectly clear alabaster skin.)
Similarly, don't get male gazey unless the tone calls for it (you're writing from the POV of someone attracted to her)
Make the descriptions as early on as possible but still in line with the pacing of the story. If you wait too long, it'll be jarring for the reader because they'll probably already have an idea in their head and your description with almost certainly clash with that
And of course beta readers.