Last Updated on July 24, 2024 by Nathaniel Tower
Ah, character descriptions—the holy grail of fiction writing where the faint-hearted dare not tread. If you’re a writer, you’ve probably spent countless hours trying to perfect this delicate art. And if you’ve read enough books, you’ve likely encountered the full spectrum: from descriptions so sparse you’d need a microscope to find them, to epic tomes detailing every follicle and freckle. Let’s dive into some of the most common pitfalls, shall we? Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a journey through the minefield of character description errors.
The Invisible Man: Not Using Any Details to Describe Characters
Imagine meeting someone new and they’re just…a blank slate. No face, no body, not even a hint of a hairstyle. Sounds awkward, right? Yet, this is what some writers do with their characters. They skip over descriptions, leaving readers to fill in the blanks themselves.
Why It’s a Mistake
Characters without descriptions can leave readers feeling disconnected. A lack of physical details can make it difficult for readers to visualize and thus relate to the characters. It’s akin to watching a movie with an invisible cast—disorienting and ultimately unsatisfying.
What to Do Instead
Introduce your characters with a few key details that help paint a picture. You don’t need to describe everything, but give enough to anchor your reader’s imagination. Consider using distinctive features or unique traits that set your characters apart.
Example:
Instead of: “John entered the room.” Try: “John entered the room, his tall frame casting a shadow over the threshold. His piercing blue eyes scanned the crowd, and a crooked smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.”
The Encyclopedia Entry: Describing Way Too Much
Then there’s the opposite extreme—writers who describe their characters in excruciating detail. These descriptions can read like a police report or a resume, listing every physical attribute, article of clothing, and accessory down to the last stitch.
Why It’s a Mistake
Over-describing can overwhelm and bore your readers. It also slows down the pace of your narrative. Instead of engaging with the story, readers might find themselves skimming over paragraphs of unnecessary detail. Plus, it leaves little room for the reader’s imagination to play a part. Describing way too much is especially a mistake in flash fiction where every word counts so much.
What to Do Instead
Focus on the most important and distinctive features. Less is often more. Allow readers to fill in the gaps with their own imagination, which can make the reading experience more interactive and engaging.
Example:
Instead of: “Jane was wearing a blue dress with white polka dots, a red belt cinched at her waist, black stockings, and shiny black shoes. Her brown hair was curled and fell in waves around her shoulders, and she had a small scar just above her left eyebrow.” Try: “Jane’s polka-dot dress and red belt gave her an air of retro charm, accentuated by the waves of her brown hair.”
The Walking Cliché: Making Characters Cliché in Appearance
Ah, the clichés. The ruggedly handsome hero with a chiseled jaw. The beautiful heroine with flowing blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. These stereotypes have been done to death and then some.
Why It’s a Mistake
Clichés are lazy writing. They make your characters forgettable and one-dimensional. Readers have seen these types a thousand times before and are craving something fresh and original.
What to Do Instead
Subvert expectations. Give your characters unique, memorable traits. Combine characteristics in unexpected ways. A hero doesn’t need to be conventionally handsome to be compelling, and a heroine can have a complex personality that goes beyond her looks.
Example:
Instead of: “The hero was tall, dark, and handsome, with a jawline that could cut glass.” Try: “The hero was a lanky man with a mess of curly hair and a nose that looked like it had been broken one too many times, but his quick wit and genuine smile made him irresistible.”
The Irrelevant Details: Describing Things That Don’t Add to Character Development
Finally, let’s talk about irrelevant details. These are descriptions that, while perhaps interesting, don’t contribute to the character’s development or the story.
Why It’s a Mistake
Every detail in your story should serve a purpose. Irrelevant details can clutter your narrative and distract from the main plot. They might make your writing feel meandering and unfocused.
What to Do Instead
Be selective with the details you include. Focus on those that reveal something important about the character or advance the plot. If a detail doesn’t serve a clear purpose, it’s probably best to leave it out.
Example:
Instead of: “Mark had a habit of wearing socks with cartoon characters on them. He also liked to collect stamps and had a particular fondness for blueberry muffins.” Try: “Mark’s eclectic taste was evident in his mismatched socks, a quirk that mirrored his unpredictable nature.”
Examples of Excellent Character Descriptions
To wrap up, let’s look at a few examples of excellent character descriptions from some great writers. These descriptions are memorable, concise, and reveal something essential about the character.
J.K. Rowling – Harry Potter Series
J.K. Rowling’s descriptions are often succinct yet vivid, giving readers just enough to form a clear picture.
“Harry had a thin face, knobbly knees, black hair, and bright green eyes. He wore round glasses held together with a lot of Scotch tape because of all the times Dudley had punched him on the nose.”
Why It’s Excellent: This description not only gives us a physical image of Harry but also hints at his rough home life and resilience.
F. Scott Fitzgerald – The Great Gatsby
Fitzgerald’s descriptions are rich and evocative, perfectly capturing the essence of his characters.
“He smiled understandingly—much more than understandingly. It was one of those rare smiles with a quality of eternal reassurance in it, that you may come across four or five times in life.”
Why It’s Excellent: This description of Gatsby is more about his aura and the effect he has on others than his physical appearance, which adds depth to his character.
Toni Morrison – Beloved
Toni Morrison’s character descriptions are often layered with meaning and emotion.
“She had the distinct impression he was looking for a way out. Some door he had yet to find. A little knob somewhere, the click of an opening that would reestablish his place in the world.”
Why It’s Excellent: This description of Paul D. reveals his internal struggle and longing for freedom, adding layers to his character.
Charles Dickens – Great Expectations
Dickens’ character descriptions are often detailed and unique, bringing his characters to life in vivid detail.
“He was a pale young gentleman, and had a certain conquered languor about him in the midst of his spirits and briskness that did not seem indicative of natural strength.”
Why It’s Excellent: This description of Herbert Pocket gives a clear visual image and also hints at his inner qualities, making him memorable and distinctive.
Conclusion
Character descriptions are a vital part of storytelling. They help readers visualize your characters, connect with them emotionally, and understand their roles in the narrative. By avoiding common pitfalls—such as under-description, over-description, clichés, and irrelevant details—you can create characters that are vivid, unique, and compelling. So, the next time you introduce a character, remember: a little thought goes a long way. Happy writing!
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