Strategies for Properly Depicting Character Appearance
Writing about character appearance can leave writers feeling a bit stumped. Should you even bother? Do you need to use fancy words to describe the color of someone's eyes?
In this post, we'll lay out what truly matters when describing a character's appearance and how to do it effectively.
Related: Beginner Writing Tips, Quick Tips for Describing Places, Common Mistakes for Beginner Writers
Does a character's appearance really matter?
The answer can be both yes and no. We all make judgments about people based on their appearance, but as a writer, character appearance is a tool that can be used to your advantage.
Descriptions of character appearance provide opportunities for "show, don't tell." Instead of stating that a character is kind-hearted or ambitious, show it through their actions, appearance, and interactions with others.
Think about someone carrying a Chanel handbag versus someone carrying a knock-off. Or someone wearing muddy Converse shoes versus someone wearing Birkenstocks with sports socks. Such details can help build the character and engage readers without resorting to tired cliches.
However, something like a character's eye color doesn't say much about who they are as a person. If you go into detail about a character's eye color, readers may feel it's irrelevant, making your writing seem silly or unimportant.
Point of View Matters
Your chosen point of view can dictate how you should describe a character.
When writing in first or third-person intimate, you view the world through one character at a time, so their thoughts and observations become a part of the narrative. In such cases, it's best to avoid having characters think things that someone wouldn't normally think, like reflecting on their red hair and green eyes.
It's essential to steer clear of using the point-of-view character as a mirror, having them stand in front of a mirror and think about their appearance. This is poor writing, as it disregards the reader's understanding and feels disrespectful.
When writing in omniscient point of view, you can describe your characters from an outside perspective, detailing various aspects beyond just physical appearance. Even so, it might be a good idea to opt for more evocative words. For example, a character's arms might be so long that they can scratch their knees without bending over.
What details are necessary when describing a character's appearance?
Include details that help reveal the character's personality, backstory, or emotional state. Avoid unnecessary details or descriptions that do not add to the story or serve no purpose.
If you mention that a character's hair is always messy but never explains why, the detail becomes irrelevant and distracting to the reader. In the editing process, remove any unnecessary details that don't add depth or context to the story.
When exploring character descriptions, remember that physical traits do not define someone's worth or morality. Instead, focus on creating multi-dimensional characters who exhibit a variety of characteristics.
Be Intentional With Words
Instead of using big, fancy adjectives, opt for words that create vivid images and emotions for the reader. For example, describing someone's eyes as deep green could be replaced with "his eyes gleamed with the intensity of a forest twilight."
When choosing verbs and nouns, consider how they complement the character and story. Incorporate the reader's senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell) to provide a more immersive experience.
Show, Don't Tell - Through Actions and Interactions
Rather than simply stating a character's physical traits, show their appearance through their actions, interactions with others, and the world around them. This approach keeps the reader engaged, as they learn about the character through their experiences and reactions.
For instance, instead of saying "John was tall," describe a situation in which John reaches for something on the top shelf or towers over other characters.
Practical tips
Exercises for writing character descriptions:
- Describe yourself without using adjectives. Focus on using actions, experiences, and feelings to create a vivid image of yourself.
- Choose a celebrity and write a descriptive paragraph without looking at a picture. Try to use specific details to paint a mental image of the person.
- Describe a character as if they were your ardent admirer and as if they were your nemesis. Notice the difference in how you describe them, and think about how you can weave your personal biases into your descriptions.
- Write about a character going from being poor to being wealthy. How does their appearance change over time?
- Look at the appearance descriptions of two fictional characters (one hero, one villain). How are the descriptions different, and what does this reveal about the characters and the author's biases?classheap:
- Emphasize the importance of character-driven descriptions that reveal personality and worldview
- Provide examples of using distinctive details and avoiding cliches
- Advise to show, don't tell, through actions and interactions
- Emphasize being selective and purposeful with details
writingcooperative:- Provide tips for using sensory detail to create immersive character descriptions- Advise choosing words carefully to evoke strong images- Suggest focusing on character-relevant details- Emphasize being intentional in using verbs and nouns- Recommend using actions and interactions to show, don't tell, character appearance
litreactor:- Emphasize the role of appearance in developing character- Advise against using cliches or floating generalizations- Suggest using concrete, evocative details- Provide examples of showing, don't tell, through invoking the senses
agramboulou:- Focus on using character-driven descriptions- Advise avoiding overly broad or generic character descriptions- Emphasize the importance of specific, vivid details- Provide tips for using sensory detail to create immersive descriptions- Advise using actions and interactions to reveal character appearance
write practice:- Explain different methods for creating character descriptions (free writing, interview technique, scene technique)- Emphasize the importance of choosing relevant details- Provide tips for using sensory detail and engaging the reader- Encourage using details that reflect the character's unique personality- Suggest using vivid, unconventional language to keep the reader interested
writing cooperative:- List common cliches in character descriptions- Provide examples of how to avoid using them- Advise choosing details that reflect the character's unique personality- Recommend using sensory detail and engaging reader's senses- Encourage showing, don't tell, through invoking the senses and describing character actions and interactions
writers digest:- Emphasize the importance of memorable character descriptions- Provide tips for creating vivid, immersive descriptions- Advise using specific, unconventional details- Emphasize the need to ground descriptions in the character's personality and experiences- Suggest avoiding generic descriptions and common cliches
hackwriters:- Discuss the impact of character appearance on the reader's interpretation of the character- Provide tips for using vivid, specific details- Advise avoiding generic descriptions and cliches- Recommend using sensory detail to engage the reader's senses- Emphasize the importance of grounding character appearances in the overall story and character development
thoughtcoin:- Explain the concept of "show, don't tell"- Provide examples of how to show character appearance through action and interaction- Discuss the importance of using concrete, specific details- Emphasize the role of sensory detail in creating immersive, engaging descriptions- Advise avoiding generic, cliched descriptions for effective character development
writers in china:- Provide tips for creating memorable, beautiful character descriptions- Advise choosing distinctive, unconventional details- Emphasize the role sensory detail plays in engaging the reader's senses- Suggest using literary techniques (foreshadowing, symbolism) to add depth to character descriptions- Provide examples of effective character descriptions in popular literature
lit reactor:- Discuss the role of character appearance in creating a vivid, immersive world- Provide tips for using specific, vivid details- Emphasize the need to ground character appearance in the story's themes and conflicts- Recommend using sensory detail to engage the reader's senses- Suggest avoiding generic, stereotypical character descriptions
writersdigest:- Discuss the process of writing a short story- Provide tips for creating engaging, memorable character descriptions- Advise using specific, vivid detail- Recommend using sensory detail to engage the reader's senses- Emphasize the importance of creating strong, believable characters
thought coin:- Discuss common writing mistakes that can turn readers off- Provide tips for avoiding cliches and generic, uninteresting descriptions- Emphasize the importance of grounding character descriptions in the story and the characters' personalities- Recommend using sensory detail to create immersive, engaging descriptions- Suggest using concrete, specific details to make characters memorable and unique
- Successful creative writing often requires a balance in describing a character's appearance: including details that reveal their personality or emotional state, while avoiding unnecessary or irrelevant ones.
- To engage readers and create vivid images, consider using evocative words that evoke strong emotions and vivid visuals, rather than relying on cliches or common descriptions. For instance, instead of saying "her eyes were brown," you could write "her eyes were as dark as chocolate melting in the sun."
