The plot of your story is driven by dynamic, well-rounded characters.It can be a challenge to describe your character well.It's possible to make your descriptions more engaging with a little extra work.Start by getting to know your character, then consider how their character traits might affect their description.To write a description, you have to pull out the best details about your character.
Step 1: A well-rounded character can be developed by making a character sheet.
A character sheet is a good way to build a solid character.They should include everything from their physical description to their interests and fears.You can find a template online that you can use to create your own character sheet.The basics include height, build, hair color, and eye color.Determine other physical details, such as how they stand or what unique features they have.Next, take into account their background, interests, and lifestyle.Provide as much information as possible for your main characters.It is important to know your characters well because you will not include all of this information in your story.
Step 2: For a more visual reference, create a sketch of your character.
Your character should be labeled with their physical attributes.You can write notes on the page about your character's interests and background.This is a way to develop your character.It is okay to use more than one technique.You can make a sketch of your character and then create a character sheet.
Step 3: Use a reference photo for your character.
It is helpful to collect photos of people, places, and things that inspire your writing.Maybe you want to base your character on someone you know, or maybe a celebrity has the look you are looking for.When writing a description, use your inspiration's photo as a reference.You can get reference photos in either a digital or hard copy form.
Step 4: Do you know what makes your character unique?
There are quirks that make a character different.These quirks can be used to help your reader imagine your character.Emphasize the quirks by mentioning a scar on your character's face.Your character might have a mole shaped like a heart, a large tooth gap, or a limp.You can use quirks to make your main characters more human.
Step 5: A list of concrete words for your character.
You don't have to use all of them in your story, but it's useful to have a list of specific descriptive phrases about your character.The best descriptors can be used in your story.A diamond tattoo below his lash line distracts him from his aquamarine eyes.Her legs were like stilts.Her hair is covering her face when the wind blows.
Step 6: You shouldn't use cliches to describe your character or trait.
This applies to how you describe your character.The most common cliche for introducing a character is the mirror technique, which is when you have your character describe themself in a mirror.Examples of description cliches include red as a rose, cold as ice, and blind as bat.
Step 7: Consider how your character might move.
How your character moves and what they do tells a lot about them.It gives you details about your character.Your reader will be shown more about your character if you include movement in your description.A character who shuffles will look and act different from one who does not.Your character may be texting a lot.They may pace around while talking to people or walk with their head down so they are not noticed.These types of movement should be included.
Step 8: Consider their hairstyle.
People choose their hair style because they think it represents them.Your character's hair cut, hair color, and the way they wear their hair will convey a message to the reader.A spiky pink mohawk is indicative of your character being a rebel, while a salon blow out is a sign that you are a queen bee type.You could use hair style to show the different sides of your character.Your main character might be a successful CEO with a sophisticated bob, but they might have a hidden purple streak dyed into their hair or a side undercut that lets them switch their style from board room to rebel.
Step 9: In your character's clothing, reflect their personality.
Your character's clothes can be used to show something about their personality.The reader needs to fully understand your plot if they don't know what to know about your character.It is an easy way to describe side characters.A serious character might wear business attire.An artist could wear paint-splattered clothes.A rock star might wear a jacket.A jock might wear sports attire.
Step 10: How much description you want to include is up to you.
You don't want to overload your reader.They should be able to imagine what your character looks like.It's a good idea to consider who your reader is as well as the genre you're writing in.This can help you decide if you want to give a full, detailed description of a character or just enough detail to create an impression.literary writers give less description of their charactersThey might give the reader enough information to get an idea of what the character looks like.A voice came from somewhere inside the ragged beard.The genre writers often include more details.A fantasy or sci fi writer would give a full description of a non-human character.You could write, "A metal plate covered half her head, exposing the wires beneath it whenever her jaw moved."A blue eye looked out from the right and her left looked like a camera lens.A long nose pointed down at her.
Step 11: It's better to focus on the descriptors that describe rather than the details.
It is impossible to say everything about a character, so you only want to include information your readers need to know.A good description shows the reader more about your character than how you look.This example tells the reader that the character dyes her hair but hasn't been able to keep up with the style.He wore a sweatshirt with a picture of a pizza joint on it.It hung on his frame like a coat hangs on a rack.
Step 12: If you want your descriptions to be more engaging, you should use a lot of figurative language.
The reader can imagine the people and events in your story with figurative language.It allows you to describe your character in a different way.For example, you don't want to say, "Claire has long, brown hair and brown eyes", instead you should say "Dark Curls fell over her face, masking her amber eyes."Personification gives human characteristics to a non-human animal.Her eyes dodged his questions.
Step 13: It's a good idea to avoid purple prose because it means giving too much description.
A lot of description and fancy words can be found in purple prose, but it doesn't add much to the story.When it helps you tell your story, include a description.Keep your descriptions short and you can avoid purple prose.As little words as possible to get the job done.She dyed her hair the color of ink because it made her feel like an artist.You don't need to explain that she shadowed her pale skin like an oil slick on water.She felt like the artist she always wanted to be when she saw a romantic poet caught in a different time.
Step 14: Synecdoche is used when one trait is indicative of a character.
Synecdoche is a literary device where the writer uses one part of something to represent the whole.You don't have to fully describe a character.You focus on one trait.It's a great way to quickly describe a character without using a lot of words.Side characters benefit from synecdoche.Think about the strong features of your character, such as a pink mohawk, a hunched back, and a unique smell.Depending on the character, this trait can be positive or negative.Refer to the character with this trait.I knew my neighbor was coming home when the pink mohawk glided past my window.
Step 15: Make your characters come alive by adding sensory details.
List more than just physical characteristics.Your readers have 5 senses.You may not include every sense, but you should include as many as you can.Mention how your character smells in order to appeal to the sense of smell.Mrs.You can include the sense of touch by mentioning the texture of your character's scar or silky soft skin.Refer to the sound of your character's voice to a bird or an engine.To appeal to their sense of sight, describe your character's clothing and hairstyle.Appeal to the reader's sense of taste whenever you can.Two characters kiss.
Step 16: A lot of details are given the descriptors that do double duty.
Since you don't want to give too much description, focus on the details that tell the reader more than one thing about your characterThis will allow you to better describe your character.The word that best describes Luna is long.She has long arms and legs that look like stilts.
Step 17: It is better to pepper your description throughout the story.
Information dumping is when you overload the reader with information.Depending on the length of your work, spread your descriptors over several paragraphs or pages.It is possible to describe your character over the course of a scene.