You're walking down the street and you stop; there on the corner of First and Second
is the most stunning woman dressed in red you've ever seen. DILEMMA: How can we help our readers to "see" this woman like we do? One of the biggest hurdles for writers new and seasoned alike, is getting the reader to "see" the Protagonist and Antagonist ... and every other character we create within a story, like we see them. Whenever a new character is introduced into the story, there are MUSTS a reader needs for seeing that character like we want them to see him or her. Our reader wants to know:
This is so much better than just telling your reader "she was so beautiful, dressed in red, auburn hair flowing down her back. TRY THIS EXPERIMENT: Write a very short story and let a friend or family member read it. Then ask them to tell you what the character looks like. Did they describe him or her just like YOU see the character? If not, this is something you need to work on. On the other hand, if they can describe the character in some detail, you've written a winning description. The point is, a character's physical description isn't the best way to give your reader a mental pic of your character; it's only important if it adds to the story line ... like the fellow that walks with a severe limp but insists on running in the local marathon. The next best thing you must do is give your characters depth and individuality. That doesn't mean your character can't be shallow - he or she can be! But you must show your reader, by what your characters choose to do, how they feel and think, and how they respond (or not) to outside influences that they are real flesh and blood people, not just words on a page. Here's a little example of something I wrote to begin a short story ... let's see if you think it does a good job of being "descriptive." THE ONE-OFF Sometimes we have to be judged by our one-offs. We aren't always the person we appear to be at our nine to five's or at writer's club. Sometimes, we really are a mess with all kinds of privacy issues ... and hidden agendas, as well. Like me; I'm slouching on a bench in the dog park - and I don't even care for canines, much less own one. I'm more of a cat person, someone who "waits it out", praying for a sign that this isn't to be my last day alive. My wardrobe is like my attitude; all cut-offs and bad-ass looking shoes. Whoever insisted "blondes have more fun" hasn't walked a mile in my work boots. My patience with humanity has grown thin like me; every day I thank God it's only me, myself and I on the job. As far as I can tell, people are a lot like the boob reduction I got last year; not very painful to loose and once gone, not missed. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Okay, now tell me - what does this character look like to you? Put it in the comments, if you dare! :)
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