tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post7040460926709645621..comments2024-03-20T08:27:29.290+11:00Comments on .W.I.P. It: How to Write the Ultimate ManLynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-65485555113687790762012-01-24T08:42:54.874+11:002012-01-24T08:42:54.874+11:00Susan, so true. Thanks for leaving a comment.Susan, so true. Thanks for leaving a comment.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-19980138930279656582012-01-22T14:44:01.610+11:002012-01-22T14:44:01.610+11:00So very true! A riveting character is all about wh...So very true! A riveting character is all about who they are and why they are special. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. :)Susan Marlene https://www.blogger.com/profile/12644008271992138790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-72072207804118043002012-01-19T12:55:17.293+11:002012-01-19T12:55:17.293+11:00Shallee, exactly, I tend to switch off when the ch...Shallee, exactly, I tend to switch off when the characters are only interested in each other's physical appearance.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-44464536154222138472012-01-19T04:39:22.532+11:002012-01-19T04:39:22.532+11:00That's something that actually bugged me in Tw...That's something that actually bugged me in Twilight. In my current WIP, my character does NOTICE her romantic interest's looks (though she doesn't comment on them every time she looks at him), but she also notices the other pieces of him too-- both his strengths and his weaknesses. It definitely makes for a more in-depth relationship.Shalleehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09907680428735740943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-53053268793674030452012-01-18T20:26:47.561+11:002012-01-18T20:26:47.561+11:00Cynthia, I think no description at all might be go...Cynthia, I think no description at all might be going too far. There are subtle ways of inserting it into the text without it feeling like description.<br /><br />Melissa, but those stud sexy characters are so real! ;)Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-18706214760479820662012-01-18T19:57:00.210+11:002012-01-18T19:57:00.210+11:00I don't like when the author provides too many...I don't like when the author provides too many or too much detail because I like to form my own image of the character as I get to know him through his actions, reactions and dialogue. When the author gives too much or if her description conflicts with the image I have conjured in in my brain it tends to take the fun out of it . I also do not like when an author goes overboard when creating super stud sexy (soap opera) characters. I need for the characters to be realistic.Melissa Sugarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16268333458796847721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-4181271932801403532012-01-18T15:01:43.031+11:002012-01-18T15:01:43.031+11:00I like to know a little about the character's ...I like to know a little about the character's appearance -- hair and eye color, whether he's tall or short -- but beyond that, I'd rather have some room for my own interpretation. And it's the character's personality that makes me keep reading; that personality doesn't necessarily have to be good or bad, just interesting enough to keep me going.Jenna Blake Morrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12348472716158899465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-18133029609312522682012-01-18T11:44:31.252+11:002012-01-18T11:44:31.252+11:00Great post. I recently heard an agent suggest that...Great post. I recently heard an agent suggest that she'd rather there was little or no physical description of characters. This agent believes that each reader will see a character in his or her own way. Since I think that too much description can be boring, I found this intriguingCynthia Chapman Willishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12408985785062180536noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-84871711871531130072012-01-18T10:17:36.260+11:002012-01-18T10:17:36.260+11:00I love this post. I've always thought that you...I love this post. I've always thought that you take away a little something from the reader when you over describe your characters.Pattihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00685341739870191402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-80108719891529130602012-01-18T09:24:35.039+11:002012-01-18T09:24:35.039+11:00I'm careful, too. I make the character appeal...I'm careful, too. I make the character appealing to another character, usually a woman, and she describes him in vague ways, explaining why he appeals to her. That way, everyone can fill in their own blanks!Nancy Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-28377074116474555172012-01-18T09:05:50.171+11:002012-01-18T09:05:50.171+11:00Tyrean, Yes, descriptions have to have meaning.
G...Tyrean, Yes, descriptions have to have meaning.<br /><br />Gyran, I had a chuckle at your comment. So true.<br /><br />Pat, that is absolutely true too, but if you stop there, and leave all the emphasis on the description alone, then I personally think something is lacking.<br /><br />Mark, yeah, I prefer at least SOME description so I can picture them in my head.<br /><br />Roger, she'll love it ;)<br /><br />Nick, excessive detailing of the clothing is a great example of over doing the description.<br /><br />Mark, see, now that's a brilliant way of describing a character--through the reactions of other characters.<br /><br />Theresa, you forgot grey eyes... ;)<br /><br />Nas, great point!Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-6934308942872951172012-01-18T06:25:39.246+11:002012-01-18T06:25:39.246+11:00Sometimes the hero is being described on every oth...Sometimes the hero is being described on every other page by the heroine, heroine's friend and even the heroine's brother as gorgeous...ok we get the point! He is gorgeous...but so many people have the exact same opinion?Nashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14984530648140460594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-81337560468375020782012-01-18T06:00:45.427+11:002012-01-18T06:00:45.427+11:00At this point, I'm pretty tired of eyes in YA....At this point, I'm pretty tired of eyes in YA. It seems no character on the planet--male or female--is allowed to have plain old brown eyes. Amber, blue, green, or even black. I roll my own light brown eyes at those books, put them down, and gaze into my husband's sable eyes. <br /><br />As for lots of hair anywhere than the head? EWW!Theresa Milsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03477761307315565259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-87324786612952667212012-01-18T04:53:19.169+11:002012-01-18T04:53:19.169+11:00I think you're onto something here. I read a S...I think you're onto something here. I read a SciFi book once where one character was supposed to be stunningly gorgeous, but the author almost never described her physically. Instead it was the way every character reacted to her that let you know she was pretty, and in turn allowed the reader to fill in the blanks themselves.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01793077012143289985noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-62143649971179652792012-01-18T03:23:58.509+11:002012-01-18T03:23:58.509+11:00Great post. For me too much hair is a major turn-o...Great post. For me too much hair is a major turn-off. I do rely on character descriptions, but its the bare minimum. I am not too much into descriptions, I prefer leaving them to the reader's imagination.Rachna Chhabriahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900999965919504282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-74975116668484112052012-01-18T01:26:02.687+11:002012-01-18T01:26:02.687+11:00I absolutely love a strong male character who take...I absolutely love a strong male character who takes charge, and also one who treats women well. I can't say there's a physical characteristic I most go for, though I've always been partial to long-ish hair. :)Susan Fieldshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02433408456603462774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-81821761054877751502012-01-17T23:33:44.778+11:002012-01-17T23:33:44.778+11:00I have often read books where I had a clear image ...I have often read books where I had a clear image of the character even though there was little or no physical description. Maybe it's because they reminded me of someone in real life. It's nice when it's left to the reader's imagination, based on the character's actions and attitudes. I don't see the point in excessive description of clothing - presumably they would wear something else the next day, so is this going to happen every time?Nick Wilfordhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03841776353790635132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-24825042564566076532012-01-17T19:41:04.272+11:002012-01-17T19:41:04.272+11:00I don't like too much description, but I like ...I don't like too much description, but I like it when a male character has nice eyes and strong arms. I also will care more about him if he's kind and determined.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-48462396861708904942012-01-17T17:33:46.474+11:002012-01-17T17:33:46.474+11:00I'm not sure about what the ultimate man posse...I'm not sure about what the ultimate man possesses in fiction.<br /><br />I would appreciate you letting your friend know that I've been growing my beard for the past month.T. Roger Thomashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16304103509683960962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-12566574015548808972012-01-17T16:24:23.428+11:002012-01-17T16:24:23.428+11:00In some novels, the main male character never has ...In some novels, the main male character never has much of a description. This is much harder to carry off for a main female character. Although, I recently read the first several pages of a young adult novel from a New York Times bestselling author, and there was no description of the female protagonist -- not even hair color.Mark Muratahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03562597698193306363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-48528858070357543212012-01-17T14:55:17.582+11:002012-01-17T14:55:17.582+11:00It seems to me that a detailed description can som...It seems to me that a detailed description can sometimes, give insight into the person who is attracted to him or her.Pat Tilletthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17699973774273291205noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-80245977554378346762012-01-17T13:58:45.971+11:002012-01-17T13:58:45.971+11:00I've no problem with long flowing hair and the...I've no problem with long flowing hair and the like but its almost become a stereotype in fantasy.<br /><br />Long Flowing Hair + living in forest = Elf (bonus points if dying race)<br /><br />Sometimes you just want to say "Get a haircut hippie!"Gyran Gymblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15530108423838293039noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-2968934124884641742012-01-17T12:18:30.957+11:002012-01-17T12:18:30.957+11:00Fun post! I'm with you on the shuddering over ...Fun post! I'm with you on the shuddering over too much body hair. True, a guy with silky locks just long enough to put my fingers in sounds great, but chest and back hair - aggh!<br /><br />I agree that we need to give our readers space for imagination on descriptions. In fact, I think descriptions need to have meaning . . .does a man's hair stand out somehow? or does a woman who is really tall and wear spiky heels mean something to the story?Tyrean Martinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15356604721537744361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-56967367659583395062012-01-17T12:16:29.039+11:002012-01-17T12:16:29.039+11:00Thanks so much for the follow,I appreciate that so...Thanks so much for the follow,I appreciate that so much! Blessings JaneJanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08535490386634385929noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7030453069845909403.post-39259578511174211702012-01-17T08:58:59.420+11:002012-01-17T08:58:59.420+11:00Deniz, listed descriptions are a whole other matte...Deniz, listed descriptions are a whole other matter as well. It's better to pepper the descriptions through the story rather than filling in a long shopping list all at once. Hmm...maybe I'll write a post about that. lol.<br /><br />Carol, hahaha, yes, exactly. When the description stops the action, it needs to be cut.<br /><br />Denise, you are right. The mirror descriptions have become cliched. <br /><br />Aimee, it is important, but to a point. The trick is finding the right balance.<br /><br />Alyssia, exactly right! (and I love that word: foibles).<br /><br />Anne, you'll find that in most of the classics. Times have changed and we no longer have time to indulge on descriptions.<br /><br />Leigh, yes! Their presence goes beyond their physical appearance.<br /><br />Ben, yes, great example.<br /><br />Sara, exactly right about books being translated into movies. It's never what we imagine.Lynda R Young as Elle Cardyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09975442291393246148noreply@blogger.com