Need help with character descriptions.

[Cfnmlover84]

I'm currently stuck at the part where i have to describe the characters physical appearances. There was a person i was PMing who said they were going to help, But they never got back to me and now they're ignoring my messages. Here are the 4 model images that i used to base the characters on, Help me describe them.

Bobby. https://m.media-amazon.com/images/M/MV5BMTk3MDYzMjA4NV5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTYwMTUyMTc2._V1_.jpg
Claire. https://st.depositphotos.com/1694341/3185/i/950/depositphotos_31853261-stock-photo-chelsea-field.jpg
Jessica. https://www.aveleyman.com/Gallery/2017/S/60508.jpg
Barbara. https://compareceleb.com/uploads/po...nne-heche-height-weight-body-measurements.jpg

 

[Cfnmlover84]

Please help.

 

[jaF0]

What's to help with? Be creative, but stay clear of clinical measurements.

Tall, trim blond or overweight, slovenly lout would work fine for most stories.

 

[Cfnmlover84]

What's to help with? Be creative, but stay clear of clinical measurements.

Tall, trim blond or overweight, slovenly lout would work fine for most stories.

I mean the facial characteristics of the characters, So that it's easy for the reader to imagine what they look like, For example, Claire (the mother) looks nothing like her daughter Jessica. I need help describing why.

 

[Jada59]

Bobby is young, confused and has the tendency to overuse hair products. If you want a good time, look elsewhere. Unless your idea of a good time is riding a skateboard and playing video games while chomping on Cheetos.

Claire is an older woman who is going out of her way to look youthful. You know the type. Fake tan, plastic surgery, too much makeup, clothing befitting of a much younger woman and a passion for purple.

Jessica is young, gawky and probably confused as well. She thinks her eye glasses make her look intelligent. They don't. She thinks her bleached blonde hair makes her seem fun. It doesn't.

Barbara looks dried up and snooty. Her ash blonde hair is well coiffed and shiny but too much plastic surgery and too much makeup reveal her true age. The look on her face tells me she has an ulterior motive.

 

[Jada59]

I mean the facial characteristics of the characters, So that it's easy for the reader to imagine what they look like, For example, Claire (the mother) looks nothing like her daughter Jessica. I need help describing why.

She's adopted.

 

[Cfnmlover84]

She's adopted.

Thanks for the help, Is it okay if i credit you for helping when i publish the story.

 

[Jada59]

Thanks for the help, Is it okay if i credit you for helping when i publish the story.

Sure.

 

[jaF0]

I mean the facial characteristics of the characters, So that it's easy for the reader to imagine what they look like, For example, Claire (the mother) looks nothing like her daughter Jessica. I need help describing why.

It doesn't matter why. Most kids don't resemble their parents. Some only resemble more distant relatives like grand parents.

Stories don't need to be that clinical. They're not anthropological thesis.

 

[yukonnights]

For what it's worth; Myself — and many others who've discussed this around here — find that it is often best to avoid detailed descriptions. Remember that many different people will be reading your story, few of them will agree on what is physically attractive/unattractive. Thus, for each reader you please, you will probably loose one who was turned off by your detailed description.

You might consider just using your words to sketch the basic important description, thus allowing each individual reader to finish creating the image to their own liking.

 

[Cfnmlover84]

That's probably the best idea.

For what it's worth; Myself — and many others who've discussed this around here — find that it is often best to avoid detailed descriptions. Remember that many different people will be reading your story, few of them will agree on what is physically attractive/unattractive. Thus, for each reader you please, you will probably loose one who was turned off by your detailed description.

You might consider just using your words to sketch the basic important description, thus allowing each individual reader to finish creating the image to their own liking.

 

[ElectricBlue]

For what it's worth; Myself — and many others who've discussed this around here — find that it is often best to avoid detailed descriptions. Remember that many different people will be reading your story, few of them will agree on what is physically attractive/unattractive. Thus, for each reader you please, you will probably loose one who was turned off by your detailed description.

Another thing to consider, is that any description done by a second party (as the OP is asking here) will be that person's visual image, not your own, and there'll be a double disconnect between your own mind's eye and the person you want to describe. It's far better, I reckon, if your model images match your mind's eye, to describe them yourself to the extent you need to describe them at all.

Using an image to picture your character is a good idea - I do it often - but it would be rare for me to ever write a detailed description of that model. I might describe a tiny detail, but I rely on my readers to imagine who they see from my prompts.

 

[Heartsongs]

..... It's far better, I reckon, if your model images match your mind's eye, to describe them yourself to the extent you need to describe them at all.

Using an image to picture your character is a good idea - I do it often - but it would be rare for me to ever write a detailed description of that model. I might describe a tiny detail, but I rely on my readers to imagine who they see from my prompts.

So true... I described a female character's only description once as "her eyes seemed to sparkle every time she smiled." -That was enough.

 

[yukonnights]

So true... I described a female character's only description once as "her eyes seemed to sparkle every time she smiled." -That was enough.

Hmmm, I'm glad you posted that. I'm not sure I've ever thought to describe her eyes. Thank you. (now if I can just remember to do it )

 

[ElectricBlue]

Hmmm, I'm glad you posted that. I'm not sure I've ever thought to describe her eyes. Thank you. (now if I can just remember to do it )

Yukon, wander into my Floating World from time to time, I'm constantly describing eyes, gaze, looks. If there's one thing you know about my characters, they have eyes, usually a blaze of freckles (or a single freckle which he will eventually find), a heartbeat just under the skin. Close-ups, I call 'em. Zoom in, zoom out.

 

[SimonDoom]

Instead of focusing on trying to accurately render physical descriptions in words, concentrate instead on describing physical characteristics in a way that suggest personality traits. Your reader can fill in the rest, to suit their taste.

For example, consider the four photos you showed us for the characters. Jada59 has one interpretation of them, but it's not the only one possible. When you look at those four photos, what do YOU think are the outstanding personality/character traits, based on their looks? That's what matters. Nobody can tell you what the answer to that is.

Character comes first, looks second, unless the character is no more than an object of someone else's gaze.

 

[Cfnmlover84]

Bobby - A entitled creep who's slightly dimwitted, Used to be a ladies man until his reputation on campus for dumping women after sex put an end to that.
Jessica - A shy, Awkward young woman who's best friend had a bitter breakup with Bobby, As a result she wants nothing to do with him.
Claire - A former playboy centerfold who's looks slightly faded with age but is still attractive in a mature way. Hasn't had sex in 15 years due to a bitter divorce. Since then she's been focused on her career and raising her daughter Jessica. Has a secret crush on Bobby.
Barbara - A cold, Calculating scientist who created the love potion that Bobby uses to try to get Jessica.

Instead of focusing on trying to accurately render physical descriptions in words, concentrate instead on describing physical characteristics in a way that suggest personality traits. Your reader can fill in the rest, to suit their taste.

For example, consider the four photos you showed us for the characters. Jada59 has one interpretation of them, but it's not the only one possible. When you look at those four photos, what do YOU think are the outstanding personality/character traits, based on their looks? That's what matters. Nobody can tell you what the answer to that is.

Character comes first, looks second, unless the character is no more than an object of someone else's gaze.