Describing characters

TobySor · Nov 5, 2009

I was wondering what people think with respect to always physically describing characters. For example, in a short story where there are only two main characters, I describe one and not the other. However, there are a couple things the reader knows about the one I don’t describe. He has dark hair and is younger than the character I describe. This comes out in dialogue between them. The other key fact is through dialogue, it is clear that they are somewhat different with respect to their view on thing in life. Therefore, I wanted to have that be the tool that allowed the reader to imagine what the character I don’t describe looks like. Or should I add a couple lines of description?

Danthia · Nov 5, 2009

Up to you. It's your story, and you can describe (or not describe) them however you see fit. I always go with how my POV character would do it. If they're the type of person to notice every little detail about someone, I'll show that aspect of their personality and describe more. If they barely notice hair color, I'll just use that.

Mumut · Nov 5, 2009

I don't do it. I read somewhere early on that if you let the reader imagine the character, they take some ownership of the story. I've had a number of people tell me they imagined themselves in the role of my MC and they really enjoyed the story because of that. I only include characteristics required for the story. If the fact that she's a blond is important for a plot related reason, I'll bring that in early - but probably not in a description, just in a remark by someone else or something like that. But that's just my way of doing things. Go with what you feel comfortable with. If you like to have the characters you read about described in the book, that might be the best way for you to do it, too.

PoppysInARow · Nov 6, 2009

I do describe. I think it's important to my characters to describe them. I don't go overboard, but I describe them as I see them. Besides, when I describe a character that enters a story, it has a bit more perminance to me. They're here to stay. Besides, I figure if a reader doesn't like it, they can just imagine the character however they want. It's a book, after all.

Kitty27 · Nov 6, 2009

I like descriptions. I want to know everything.

Go with what you like the most.

cptwentworth · Nov 6, 2009

I think it can go either way. Sometimes you need to know that someone had a limp or chronic acne or penetrating blue eyes. Other times it's just not necessary to give a physical description and is more of a detraction from the story telling. Stay true to your story.

TobySor · Nov 7, 2009

Thanks all. In the particular story I am working on, I originally was of the view that Mumut described especially since the character I did not originally describe is the POV character. However, I actually found I good way through dialogue of the character I do describe to provide the reader with an image of the POV character. It plays into the story line too so I think it works in this case.

Overall, though, I do tend to favor less detail and allow the reader to see it as they think. Appreciate the input.

rmgil04 · Nov 10, 2009

Readers need a visual, but be careful not to spend so much effort on descriptions that you slow the pace. I've seen descriptive information split. In one part you could mention a tall aluring woman with saphire eyes - it's what the main character in the scene focuses on. Then go into some kind of interaction and then the characters hear footsteps - as she spins her head in the direction of the sound, describe what her hair does.

Describing characters

TobySor

Danthia

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

PoppysInARow

Kitty27

So Goth That I Was Born Black

cptwentworth

Did you hear that?!?

TobySor

rmgil04

In re-write limbo!