Best Character Intros

Stunted · Apr 30, 2009

This is something I don't hear many people talking about, but in which I am very interested. What's the best way to introduce a character? How do you introduce your characters? What are the best character intros that you've seen in books?

One of the ones I was most struck by is in my sig. It's from The Count of Monte Cristo.

Thoughts?

SPMiller · Apr 30, 2009

In my fiction, I do the opposite of the example in your sig. Rather than tell-spam a list of details at my readers, I either show details through action or not at all.

The Lonely One · Apr 30, 2009

I think you want to exemplify what is most interesting, or what you want to stick in the reader's mind the most about the character.

My WIP starts out introducing both the MC and the character the book is "written to" as a collection of letters (the character is dead), by discussing a childhood game in a graveyard, and the MC's memory of the smell of embalming fluid.

A good segue (I think) into the MC's current quest, to hunt down the pirate who killed his friend.

I usually go for things like that for intros. Other traits come out later but I try to punch the reader, not literally of course, with what's important, thematic, etc.

Matera the Mad · Apr 30, 2009

Character walks in and does something, sees something and reacts to it, says something, has a snarky thought.... I like Dumas, but I don't aspire to write like him.

A main character should never be spotlighted with description, but a secondary character seen through the MC's eyes might be -- IF the character's appearance makes a great impression on the MC. I recall something I critted once where the constantly recurring descriptions sounded like a police report :roll:

Manix · Apr 30, 2009

Whenever I'm stuck for an intro, I just start with, "It was a dark and stormy knight..."

NeuroFizz · Apr 30, 2009

Well, how long will it be before we, as readers, find out how his height, body shape and hair color will play out as critical aspects of the story? Or could it be written equally with a medium height, stocky man with wheat-shock blond hair? Would that change the story in any way for the reader (I'm not talking about the writer's image of the character, I'm asking if it would alter the story for the reader in any significant way)? If these details are just to coax the reader into a specific image that is writer's preference, trotting out such a laundry list of physical charactersitics may not be the best way to introduce a character to a reader who is looking for a good reason to care about this character--enough to want to dive into that character's story.

Barrett · Apr 30, 2009

What if you have a main character that is unlike anything normal people have ever seen before? I'm not saying you need to give a laundry list, but I'd think a well-crafted description would be needed, especially if you establish that a character is non-human or otherwordly, and not of the usual mythic tropes. As a reader I'd be looking for detail at that point.

Am I wrong? Is there another way to approach this?

I for one always liked how Raymond Chandler started "The Maltese Falcon". He began with a paragraph describing Sam Spade in detail, saying he looked "like a blond Satan" (not Bogart's look at all, amusingly enough). That's not today's sort of literature, but if you have a situation where you have to give visual details, isn't it obligatory to make said description a good read? Is description nigh impossible to make entertaining?
Somehow I doubt it. Easy, no, but worthwhile.

Karen Duvall · Apr 30, 2009

I've always just thrown my characters on the stage and let them do their thing. As they're doing it, a "description" forms organically through their actions. It's doled out in bits and pieces as the scene plays out. I don't think you should stop the story for a description break. A character's introduction should come natural and flow with the story being told. IMO, of course.

Stijn Hommes · May 1, 2009

Whenever I introduce a character I try not to use a list of descriptions, but rather an action that shows they'll be important to the plot. I have used such obvious descriptions in the past, but I think it was justified, because the character doing the describing was a detective who made an effort to deduce stuff about the person from their appearance.

Izz · May 1, 2009

Stunted said:
This is something I don't hear many people talking about, but in which I am very interested. What's the best way to introduce a character? How do you introduce your characters? What are the best character intros that you've seen in books?

A lot of this depends on the story, the narration style, the POV--including POV voice--and the intended audience.

There isn't really a right answer, but the general trend in modern fiction in this area is that less is more.

Danthia · May 1, 2009

In whatever way with make readers curious about that character, or invoke the emotion the author wants invoked when readers first see that character. How you do that is entirely up to you.

I have four main characters. The protag was introduced through humor and action. One character was introduced through a little worry and foreshadowing. One was sought after and just arrived on the scene. The last was a surprise.

They each brought something to the scene that needed bringing. So think about what else your introductions can do that also move the plot, characterize, or world build.

ChaosTitan · May 1, 2009

This isn't from a book, but one of my absolute favorite character introductions is from the pilot episode of "The West Wing." All episode long, we hear about the President--what he's done, what he's been doing, how he's reacting to things. We don't actually meet him until the last five minutes of the pilot. He blusters on-screen at the end of a heated argument and quotes from the Bible, "I am the Lord your God, thou shalt have no other God before me. Those were the days, weren't they?"

It said something about him and made him memorable.

The best character intros should do both of those things, IMHO.

caitysdad · May 1, 2009

i tend to do it in pieces as far as physical characteristics because I really want readers to imagine the characters themselves. I might say blonde hair and later mention blue eyes, but i would never say they look like someone.

I did describe a character as looking like a young Marlon Brando, and after much internal debate, I left the description intact because I felt I was more describing a type rather than the actual person.

scarletpeaches · May 1, 2009

My characters arrive at the party late and leave early.

Elwolf · May 1, 2009

I usually try to stay away from too much detail on my MC. I, too, want the reader to imagine the character for themselves. I also describe all of the characters and MC sparingly, and let the descriptions come with the writing. That is sort of how it goes with me. I let the story and events unfold as I write, always working toward some blurry goal. Yet, somehow, my books always come together in the end. And in some plot that I had not even thought of until I got there.

sadron · May 1, 2009

I thought of something unique. Character's flashback of past? He received odd letter and thinking something... Not sure.

CaroGirl · May 1, 2009

The character intros I like best are ones that show character by having her do something, or react to something, rather than have long hair or a single bushy eyebrow.

lute · May 1, 2009

I would much rather establish a new character based on his or her actions than appearance (that is, of course, given that their appearance isn't something that would be jarring to the narrator, in which case a description like that might be something I would consider) just so readers can propel their own imagination and make assumptions on their own--which is also why I dislike character art on the cover of novels.

If the author wants to give the reader a more vivid description, I find it more effective to give it to them in a sentence here or there while the character is in action, as has already been said. That way the reader isn't getting bombarded with all these characteristics that they'll probably skim over (in my case) or forget altogether. Gradually shedding more light on a character's appearance seems to work better for me.

dawinsor · May 1, 2009

A lot depends on the POV you're using. I use tight third, so we see everything through my MC's eyes and thoughts. S/he's unlikely to think a description like this. I usually leave appearance details pretty minimal: sex and age matter. And if something else does (say, wearing glasses) then I work that in early too. For me, the details have to worked in with something other than an external description. Someone calls the MC "boy," and we have a rough idea of his age, narrowed down further by whether he has to look up to see the faces of taller adults or is close to the same height.

Kitty Pryde · May 1, 2009

One of my favorite characters, introduced (this is also the opening of the book):

He was one hundred and seventy days dying and not yet dead. He fought for survival with the passion of a beast in a trap. He was delirious and rotting, but occasionally his primitive mind emerged from the burning nightmare of survival into something resembling sanity. Then he lifted his mute face to Eternity and muttered: “What’s a matter, me? Help, you godsdamn gods! Help, is all.”

from The Stars My Destination, Alfred Bester. You can read the first two pages on Amazon. It's a great intro to him, a combination of interesting backstory and character action. Gully Foyle is a lazy useless mean-spirited lump with a very strong self-preservation instinct.

skywriter16 · May 1, 2009

In the book i'm currently writing I have my main character argue with herself a lot and that gives the reader a sense of how the character finds herself and what she is like but like most i dont want to give to much away and since mine is a series i spread my details carefully. if you really want the reader to know the character than more detail would be needed but if you give just a basic background and personality list then really the readers imagination will do the rest and it allows the reader to relate better...

seun · May 1, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
My characters arrive at the party late and leave early.

Must have been a crappy party.

Stunted · May 1, 2009

seun said:
Must have been a crappy party.

Burn.

Charlie Horse · May 1, 2009

Against my better judgment, I'm going to say it, only because it really, really applies.

Show, don't tell.

Gasp.

vrabinec · May 1, 2009

Charlie Horse said:
Against my better judgment, I'm going to say it, only because it really, really applies.

Show, don't tell.

Gasp.

Particularly if your MC is superbly endowed.

You know, that's when you show him turn suddenly and knock over a lamp.

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