Character description- Scattered or all together? - Writers Forum

Goglas · 02-22-2008, 07:32 PM

So, you have a great story in mind and an awesome character to put through it. How do you go about describing that character?

- Do you give a basic description right from the get go so people will have something to imagine right from the start?

- Do you give an extensive description, giving the readers a general feel to how the character acts and feels, and then start the story when you know they have something established in their minds?

- Do you wait for a couple of lines/paragraphs, in which that character does something, so the readers might establish their own opinions about it and only then give a basic/extensive description of the character, giving it, IMO, a 'bigger than life' kinda feel (Readers already know something about the character, and then you suddenly splash them with how cool it looks)?

-Do you put your descriptions in between lines, describing the character little by little ("Billy shouted, his blue eyes filled with tears" - story continues - "He said, scratching his beard" - story continues -)?

I believe #3 is the best way to go, while my friend thinks #4 is better; #3, in his opinion, makes the readers imagine a stick figure walking around until you actually describe it, while describing it little by little from the start gives them something to go on.
I disagree- I noticed that whenever I read a story using that method, I usually forget I was told billy has blue eyes by the time I realize he has a beard. When reading a story told by the third method, I get to have an opinion on the character, and a little later attach a full description to it, getting a full view of the character while still having my own opinions about it (Since a look of a character will form opinions of it in your mind, unless you already have an opinion of it).

What do you think?

Truth-Teller · 02-22-2008, 08:03 PM

Your correct.

Number three is the best possible choice, because you are allowing your readers to fill in the gaps and use their imagination.

RomanticRose · 02-23-2008, 08:46 AM

A story can be well written either way -- it depends on the writer.
How important are the characters' physical appearance to the plot? If you put it all in at the beginning, you have to be very careful to avoid the "expository lump." Does the reader really need to know that Jason has a crooked little finger on his left hand from a football game in seventh grade.

Personally, I give descriptive bits when the reader needs to know them -- either to understand the character or to advance the story. That's mainly because I hate the police blotter paragraph in reading. I don't need to be able to pick the character out of a lineup to understand their story.

Good stories have been written either way. Find the mix that works for you.

Mike C · 02-23-2008, 09:20 AM

Ignore Truth teller.

There is no single correct way. See romantic rose's comments.

Suzip · 02-23-2008, 11:24 AM

I think the best thing is to experiment and see what works best for you. Personally I do a mixture of three and four, but you do find out more about your characters through their words and actions, and as always its a case of show and not tell.

Truth-Teller · 02-23-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

Ignore Truth teller.

There is no single correct way. See romantic rose's comments.

The correct way? Who said anything about the correct way? Read the post again--slowly this time.

chimchimski · 02-23-2008, 03:53 PM

Hi there,

I find that for me it depends upon the character, the story plot, and my audience. I do know some writers; however, who stick with one way and this practice works for them.

I always attempt to let my characters tell their story. Sometimes they are visually lucid right from the start, and other times they are more obscured. I never know until I get down to the core of who they are.

Happy writing!

Mike C · 02-23-2008, 05:21 PM

TT, I'm not getting into a pissing contest with you. Take your bickering and inferiority complex elsewhere.

Mossy · 02-23-2008, 05:36 PM

I think there is no defident way to create a character. What ever works best for you.
I find that observing people around you and slowly putting together your characters personality, bit by bit, helps a lot. It also helps to write a "letter" to your character. Dont matter what its about. It really helps develop a sense of your characeters personality and appearence.
Once you got that down good, its all up to you and what ever you think is the best way to describe him. I say when the momment calls for a description,then write it. Sometimes the description takes place later on in the story. It all depends on what your character does and how you want your readers to visualize it.

Mr Sci Fi · 02-23-2008, 06:11 PM

Do it however you'd like, as long as you avoid the "Looks at himself in the mirror" method. I don't think a day goes by on here when I don't read a story from a new poster where their main character "angrily" wakes out of bed in the morning, throws the alarm clock, then looks at his "Brooding eyes" in the mirror.

Superlagg · 02-23-2008, 06:29 PM

The only right way is the way that doesnt enrage or bore the reader to tears, unless you want to do that, then by all means go right ahead. That said, the only right way is the way that doesnt enrage or bore the writer to tears.

ClancyBoy · 02-23-2008, 06:51 PM

As required. Same with plot exposition.

seigfried007 · 02-23-2008, 08:30 PM

Another thing to keep in mind is what's in-character for the POV--especially when writing third-person limited or first person. What will your POV character think when introducing this other person? Does she think about her own appearance? How much thought does she put into that appearance of others?

I've noticed more police-blotter type exposition more when a character first meets someone, but that sneaking details in works better to describe the physical characteristics of someone she already knows or herself.

"Police-blotter" may not be the greatest term for it, but a looks-conscious straight lady will probably notice a man's eyes, face, clothes and general build fairy quickly even if she doesn't go into page-after-page detail, but may only notice her own physique when comparing it to that of others, in a mirror or in the "Does this make me look fat?" scenario. If you're writing a lecher, he may notice nothing but a walking, talking pair of breasts. By the way you write the POV character, the reader will make assumptions on what the character looks like, and you can trump those assumptions later. Just something to keep in mind with limited POVs.

Truth-Teller · 02-23-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

TT, I'm not getting into a pissing contest with you. Take your bickering and inferiority complex elsewhere.

You tell me to shut the fuck up.

Tell me why my opinion has no worth compared to yours.

RhodenTheHunter · 02-26-2008, 12:26 AM

I think that you should use #3 AND #4.
When the character does an action, wait a little bit and then describe him but not all of it, then write some more of the description as the book continues.