Describe Characters When Writing
Describing characters well means having a good hold on the descriptive words in our wonderful language, as well as visualizing the character as fully as you can.
Steps
- Get a clear image of the person/thing in your head; if you have to, draw it.
- Make a list of certain traits that make up the character: hair color, eye color, face shape, body shape, etc. Then, try to think of more descriptive words to describe your list of traits.
- Decide on your options. First, you may choose to describe the person plain and simple. For example, if you come up with a list for a character name, oh, Emma, let's say, that list could contain: slender, brown eyes, brown hair, heart face, curly, and long hair.
- Study these examples for Emma:
- I saw Emma in the hallway. She was tall, with long, curly brown hair, and had a heart-shaped face with brown eyes.
- Write the description as the character is moving/doing something/as the story still goes on. Study this example:
- As I was walking in the hallway, I noticed a tall, curvy figure talking to some friends. As a boy would walk by, she would flick her long, curly hair, and would bat her ink black eyelashes, showing off her chocolate-brown eyes.
- There is also a third option, which is writing it as you go. Try studying this example:
- I walked up to Emma, recognizing her from her curvy figure...She looked at me, tears welling up in her chocolate brown eyes as she talked about her mom's death...as we ran down the path, Emma pulled a hairband into her curly hair, and wiped sweat off her heart-face...etc. You get the picture.
- Choose whichever way that works best for you. Now, all you have to do, is to write it. Make sure to include the details, and try to use professional words, so in the long-run, your story sounds professional.
Tips
- The first way to describe your character is much simpler, but may not sound as good as the 2nd way; however, the second way is a little more complicated, but keeps the story flowing.
- If you have to, try looking for pictures online or anywhere for inspiration on what your character looks like.
Warnings
- I noticed Emma in the corridor. She was tall, with long, curly brown hair, and had a heart-shaped face with brown eyes.
- Don't be TOO professional sounding. It make you sound terrible, and very confusing. To understand this, I'll make an example using the first technique:
Things You'll Need
- a pencil(or pen, or whatever)
- a paper (lined or blank-if your drawing it)
- colors
- a picture in you head
- an imagination!
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