recent years, a minimalist trend has surfaced regarding character descriptions. Common opinion these days states that physical descriptions are unnecessary, distracting, and even poor writing. “Dickens,” these minimalists claim, “might have been able to get away with a page and a half of in-depth description, but that sort of verbosity is not only intolerable in modern fiction but even retroactively ridiculous.” Having read far too many novelists who abuse and misuse the art of character descriptions, I’m in utter sympathy with whoever decided the character description was passé. But I’m not in agreement.
Most of the fuss over character descriptions is the result of two pitfalls:
1. Clichéd descriptions that add nothing to the characters, but rather render them as caricatures.
2. Inappropriate usage, placement, and emphasis.
Let’s address these one at a time.
1. Clichéd Character Descriptions
The only reason any description deserves to be included in a novel is because it adds something vital to the narrative. A romantic heroine with Barbie-blonde hair and a super-model figure doesn’t add much. Telling readers the bad guy in a western is squinty-eyed, dark-browed, and narrow-lipped does nothing to bring freshness to the story. (Of course, this is a problem that goes much deeper than simply description and probably finds its root in a clichéd character.)
But to take the other extreme and delete description entirely adds nothing either. You can’t put nothing into a story, and expect the reader to gain something.
As readers, we read in order to be told about people other than ourselves. Can our understanding of these people really be complete without some concept of their appearance—and thus how other people perceive them and how they perceive themselves?
2. Inappropriate Usage of Character Descriptions
Character descriptions need not be long; sometimes a single detail can anchor a character more firmly in the reader’s mind than a list of attributes two paragraphs long. Avoid “laundry lists” at all costs. Rattling off a character’s hair color, eye color, height, and weight isn’t going to bring the reader any closer to the character. Strive instead for “telling details” that highlight not only appearance but the character they represent.
As a child, I was fascinated with the phrase “Grecian nose” and felt quite the sophisticate whenever I managed to work it into my stories. Never mind the fact that I had no idea what a Grecian nose looked like. I’m still not sure what it looks like, but I do know it’s a nonstarter as a descriptive aid, not only because it is unrecognizable to most readers, but because it brings nothing to the characterization table.
3. Inappropriate Placement of Character Descriptions
I’ve heard the arguments that suggest readers don’t like authors to describe characters because it interferes with the reader’s preconceived image of the character. But I’m here to tell you that I want to know how the writer perceives the character. However, it’s important to make sure the description is dropped into the narrative early enough to shape the reader’s preconception. Don’t wait until Chapter 15 to tell the reader that the hero is cross-eyed and has red- and green-striped hair.
4. Inappropriate Emphasis on Character Descriptions
The amount of description we give any character needs to be in direct proportion to his importance in the story. Spending two paragraphs on a throwaway character will do nothing but misdirect—and probably frustrate—readers. Outline your minor characters with one or two modifiers, and save your most impressive descriptive powers for the protagonists.
Character descriptions are great fun to craft. When used correctly, they can’t help but hone the cutting edge of your story.
By: K.M. Weiland
