Avingard

I'm five chapters into my story and have just realized that I haven't yet given a good description of my main character. I think most readers would infer the basics from context: that the character's in his young teens, etc.

My question is, should I continue and try to weave more description in later or go back and add something in the first few chapters to give a more definite picture?

Thanks

A.

Stabering

you just posted this three times...

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Avingard

yea wasn't intentional. I just asked a moderator to delete the other two

Rob

If you're not sure you can come back to it when the first draft is done, look at it afresh and reconsider.

Cheers,
Rob

Non Serviam

There's a school of thought that says main characters need less description than the others, so the reader can fill in the blanks with whatever they find most appealing and identify with them more strongly.

One or two identifying details are probably enough.

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Talia_Brie

Finish the story first. That's learnt from experience. If you start going back now and re-starting the story, you may never finish it.

Finish the story, that's the first draft. Re-work it and put in more description. That's the second draft. Polish it off. That's the final draft.

I'm at chapter 15 in my book, and I haven't described anyone yet. For one of the characters I've written 'describe Claire here'.

The story is what's important. The rest can wait.

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astralis

I completely agree with Talia. Focus on your story. And as others have mentioned, you might find you don't need to use extensive descriptions. His actions and decisions are more important.

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wmd

I have read quite a number of stories where the characters are never described at all. Unless it is important to the story, or adds to the imagery, I would say don't worry about.

Now you may finish your story and find that you need more description... as said, finish first and then add the important things that you need.

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Hobbes

It's been said several times already, but finish the story first. It's too easy to get caught in revising before putting down a first draft. When that happens, the chances of actually finishing the story decrease dramatically.

Taxiday

I'm into chap 39 of my book and don't remember giving mre than bare, basic descriptions of my main characters. I figure, like the others here, when it's time to do my first revision/edit I will find a number of things I am going to add, including more description when it is appropriate.

Azmakna

finish your story and then weave some description in on the rewrites. i actually do this out of habit because it gives you more scope for alterations. there are two trains of thought on this subject (generally) 1) know your character inside out and let them drive your story. 2) let your story evolve the character. i prefer the latter with a sprinkling of the former.

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suzyq

I'd have to agree with others on this thread. Best to finish your story and then assess it from there.

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ClancyBoy

Ooooh, is that what happened to my novel? That makes sense.

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