Immediately we welcome a brand new visitor author to Author’s Enjoyable Zone, Loretta Bushell who’s stopping by to talk with us about “Learn how to Write Character Descriptions With out Falling right into a Cliché.” Take pleasure in!
***
How tall is Miss Marple? What coloration is Dr. Watson’s hair? What do Harry Potter’s footwear appear like?
These are all questions we’ll by no means know the solutions to. However that’s okay.
Readers don’t must know precisely what a personality appears to be like like in an effort to interact with the story.
The truth is, an extended paragraph itemizing all their options is extra prone to bore the reader than draw them in — and most of it is going to be forgotten nearly instantly.
The important thing to writing nice character descriptions is to focus solely on choose traits.
However, beware!
The fallacious mixture of attributes can flip your character right into a strolling cliché.
These 4 ideas will enable you discover the best steadiness and craft efficient and authentic character descriptions.
Zero in on 2-3 Distinctive Traits
The easiest way to construct a long-lasting picture of a personality in a reader’s thoughts is to overlook their mundane options and focus on two or three distinctive traits.
Every quirk may be an uncommon a part of their look, an odd behavior or curiosity, or a peculiar manner of talking.
The extra distinctive your chosen traits, the extra memorable your character might be.
That stated, it does assist in the event you reiterate the attributes all through your story — when it’s pure to take action.
When mentioning a character’s look for a second or third time, you may discover their very own perspective towards their physique, present different characters observing them, and even join their look to a key plot level (like Harry Potter’s scar).
It’s been not less than ten years since I learn Lemony Snicket’s A Collection of Unlucky Occasions, however I nonetheless bear in mind Rely Olaf’s unibrow, eye-shaped ankle tattoo, and love of theater.
Not solely are these traits uncommon (the latter extra so due to Olaf’s villainy), however they arrive up many times because the Baudelaire orphans constantly expose his elaborate disguises.
Mix Opposing Traits
To keep away from falling right into a cliché, attempt combining traits that don’t stereotypically belong collectively.
A nerd who wears glasses is an entire cliché, but when in addition they put on cool earrings or have big biceps, they are going to be sufficiently multidimensional to break freed from the archetype.
It’s not sensible to provide each character two or three well-explored quirks — simply the principle characters require this.
Nevertheless, the subsequent piece of recommendation applies to each direct description, regardless of how unimportant the character, be as particular as you’ll be able to.
Select the Most Particular Expression
Generic descriptions will not be solely an indicator of a one-dimensional, superficial cliché; they’re additionally simply plain boring.
All the time select probably the most particular expression.
For instance, “mahogany” somewhat than “brown,” or “an achieved flutist, first rate pianist, and hardcore Beethoven fan” somewhat than “musical.”
Figurative language can assist you be much more particular.
In This Census-Taker, China Miéville doesn’t simply inform us {that a} minor character has a grimy face; as an alternative he says, “Dust appeared so labored into him that the traces of his face had been like writing.” The simile conjures a exact picture and engages the reader’s creativeness rather more successfully than writing “his face was soiled.”
Use Sensory Language for Extra Element
One other manner so as to add fascinating element is thru sensory language.
In The Neon Rain, James Lee Burke describes a jail guard as smelling “faintly of dried sweat, Purple Man, and talcum powder.”
In the meantime, Dennis Lehane introduces a senator with “a handshake that stopped simply wanting inducing paralysis” in A Drink Earlier than the Conflict.
The sensory language immerses the reader within the story, inviting them to think about truly being there with the characters somewhat than simply watching from afar.
Reveal Character Description Via Motion
Not all character traits ought to be spelled out.
When readers are advised every little thing outright by an omniscient narrator, it not solely slows down the motion, but additionally robs readers of the chance to interact actively with the story by making inferences.
You may let the reader infer each bodily and persona traits from a personality’s actions.
Richard Osman doesn’t explicitly say that DCI Chris Hudson from The Thursday Homicide Membership is chubby and has poor vanity, however we are able to deduce each as a result of Chris is consistently consuming unhealthy snacks, failing to stay to a well being plan, and telling himself that no one would need to date him.
Or Via Different Characters’ Observations
One other fascinating solution to convey a personality’s look or persona is thru another person’s phrases or ideas. This delivers a double whammy, because it says simply as a lot (or extra) in regards to the observer because the noticed.
In Agatha Raisin and the Case of the Curious Curate, M.C. Beaton describes crime author John Armitage from Agatha’s perspective:
“Though he was in regards to the identical age as she was herself, his face was easy and he regarded youthful, a incontrovertible fact that aggravated her […]”
Not solely can we be taught of John’s youthful appears to be like, however we additionally uncover that Agatha is insecure about her personal age and look and is vulnerable to jealousy.
Beaton is definitely artistic in her characterization.
Certainly, as is at all times the case in writing, selection is vital right here.
Use plain, figurative, and sensory language.
Swap between telling, displaying, and letting one other character inform.
To keep away from falling right into a cliché, be particular and mix a number of distinctive traits, and by no means simply checklist attributes!
***
About The Creator
Loretta Bushell writes for Reedsy, a market that connects authors with assets and professionals to assist them publish their dream e book. Loretta can also be a part-time translator and spends their spare time studying, taking part in board video games, and coaching for his or her subsequent triathlon.
