Description is definitely one of my weaknesses as a writer. When I'm reading, I don't tend to think much about how characters physically look ... and this is something that it's all too easy for me to forget about when writing.
But most readers will want a sense of what your characters look like. Plus, your character's physical characteristics will relate to their actions, to who they are as a person, to how other characters react to them, and to plenty more about your story.
I don't think prolonged head-to-toe descriptions are necessary (or interesting). But it's helpful to give
readers a few details when you first introduce a character so they have a clear picture of that person.
Some practical ways to do this are to:
#1: Have One Character Describing Another
I think that, in general, description in stories is most interesting when it comes through a character's eyes ... because it reveals something about that person, as well as about the person (or setting) they're describing. Normally, you'll do this in the narrative, but you could also have a character verbally describing someone else.
Sissix was too
alien for Rosemary to label her as beautiful, but ... striking. Yes, that was a better word. She stood a head taller than Rosemary, and her body was lithe and lean. Moss green scales sheathed her body from the top of her head to the tip of her tail, fading into a paler shade over her belly. She had a smooth face, no nose or lips or ears to speak of, just holes for breathing and a small slit of a mouth.
(From The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, Becky Chambers)
#2: Self-Description
You can have a character describe their own looks in either first or third person narrative (or even out loud in dialogue) ... though this may need careful handling to avoid them looking a bit vain or self-obssessed. It might make sense to have them, say, looking in a mirror if they're preparing for an important meeting, or thinking about their appearance after a particular event or ordeal.
Michelle leaned back in the bed. Her dark har, darkened further by sweat, was plastered to her hair and her body ached from the rigours of the past few hours btu she was otherwise bathed in a glow of contentment. Her newborn baby lay in her arms, sated and sleeping.
(From In a Single Moment, Imogen Clark)
#3: Narrative or Omniscient Description
You can describe a character in your narrative from a more detached perspective, if
that suits how you're telling the story. While the third-person limited approach is common in most genres today, there's nothing stopping you from using an omniscient perspective.
He grew wild, a thriving weed, a tall, quick boy, loud and proud and full of temper.
(From
A Wizard of Earthsea, by Ursula K. Le Guin)
As you draft or revise your story, it's a good idea to:
- Keep a note of what your character looks like (perhaps listing any sentences or passages where you describe them). That might include their height and build, hair colour and length, eye colour, and the type of clothing they typically wear, as well as any distinguishing marks.
- Occasionally remind the reader what your character looks like, especially if that person hasn't appeared in the story for a
while. You might mention their curly hair, their sallow skin, or their bright blue eyes.
- Show your character's physicality in the way they interact with the world or other characters. Do they have to stand on tiptoe to reach a high shelf ... or duck to get through a low doorway? Are they trying to tame their flyaway hair before a meeting?
With any kind of description (of characters, locations, objects, and so on), I think that a few specific, vivid details are better than long passages of description.
Ultimately, if your reader doesn't imagine your character quite like you do ... that's fine! But you want to give them enough information to form their own visual idea of your character.
Happy writing,
Ali
P.S. If you missed last week's Aliventures blog post, here it is:
What Comes Before and After Your Story? Character Backstory and Living Happily Ever After
