Character descriptions

[TimothyM]

Some writers want to completely visualize their characters from the beginning, and some readers like to have their characters completely visualized.
So, those who like those stories can write and read them here and those who don't can write and read something else.

You're right of course - it's just that those of us who prefer to do without the complete visual check list have a harder time finding the stories we prefer.

And by the way, as far as I can recall from those of your stories I have read, they are not too detailed but still nicely descriptive - as well as hot and impressively varied within the GM theme. Or do you write both kinds ?

 

[sr71plt]

And by the way, as far as I can recall from those of your stories I have read, they are not too detailed but still nicely descriptive - as well as hot and impressively varied within the GM theme. Or do you write both kinds ?

Thanks. I haven't written both kinds yet that I know of, but I very well might write one where the narrator or a character will be obsessed with measurements and detailed descriptions someday--because there are such people in real life. I just haven't had such a character impose him/herself in one of my stories yet--that I can recall.

 

[Ysoi]

I once read a book on writing that advised setting out the scene itself in almost explicit detail so that you could feel as if you were there, but skimping on character detail unless it was really important. It also advised not adding character details too far into the book, just so that it wouldn't jar the reader. ("Oh, so she's a redhead is she?")

After reading that I read some of my normal sci-fi novels and realized that almost none of the authors wrote in that way, and that character descriptions were given only vaguely and only if it was to make a point - the mutant cripple, the (apparently) frail old man etc. (Sherlock Holmes disguised as an off-the-street worker comes to mind for some reason - the difference between him and his disguise might not have been apparent were it not for his original limited description.)

For myself... I used to have a morbid fear of writing "she was tall and slim" only to later contradict it by writing "she stood 4 foot tall and weighed 700 pounds". Probably this was inspired by one time where I wrote about a mute girl and, in the heat of the moment, had her shout out an insult. (-_- For that reason I maintain a religiously accurate database of ALL character details, but only give generics so that the reader isn't too surprised by "he saw her hair as she strode through the crowd" / "she was completely hidden by the crowd". The reader knows she's tall / short, but I know exactly how tall / short for those times when one tall person makes love to another, and a little stretching is required.

Ysoi

 

[Cruel2BKind]

I like characters to be specific. Maybe not bust-out-the-scale-and-ruler specific, but I like more than just a general idea.

What I can't stand is 'wanted poster'. There are plenty of ways to get across that your character is a slender blonde boy with very full lips and laughing brown eyes WITHOUT shoving it down my throat.

 

[MatthewVett]

For myself... I used to have a morbid fear of writing "she was tall and slim" only to later contradict it by writing "she stood 4 foot tall and weighed 700 pounds". Probably this was inspired by one time where I wrote about a mute girl and, in the heat of the moment, had her shout out an insult. (-_- For that reason I maintain a religiously accurate database of ALL character details, but only give generics so that the reader isn't too surprised by "he saw her hair as she strode through the crowd" / "she was completely hidden by the crowd". The reader knows she's tall / short, but I know exactly how tall / short for those times when one tall person makes love to another, and a little stretching is required.

Ysoi

I tend to find reference photos of people who look close enough to primary characters that I can refer back to them for a quickly recognizable description in case I can't remember something. It keeps appearance errors to a minimum, I find.

 

[Ysoi]

I'm anal retentive on detail for MY INFO ONLY

I tend to find reference photos of people who look close enough to primary characters that I can refer back to them for a quickly recognizable description in case I can't remember something. It keeps appearance errors to a minimum, I find.

My system. ( - _ - ; )

Uses images from a Japanese sex game along with the exact stats for each model, adjusted to the height of the character. Unfortunately it has only a limited range of character types, but at least I can do quick visual comparisons.

(Also lets me read the story as it's written in XML.)

Advantage is no one complains about their photos being used, plus my I get the kind of standardised image that I can't get through browsing the internet for porn, plus for major characters I can have images of them with correct hair / skin colours.

(Weird sepia character is my default one-size-fits-all model for male chara. Chara in colour is a major character. Chara in b/w is a random unimportant chara.)

(In case anyone notices the odd ages / heights, I made the mistake of using my own measurement units when I first started that project. Complete pain now.)

Ysoi

 

[MSTarot]

I tend to find reference photos of people who look close enough to primary characters that I can refer back to them for a quickly recognizable description in case I can't remember something. It keeps appearance errors to a minimum, I find.

I do something similar.

Kevin from my story 'Tits for Tats' is a young Randy Orton the WWE wrestler.

The main character from 'Gray Iron' though is myself. At the age I gave.

 

[36b7]

It's so interesting to hear of other writers ways of keeping their characters to mind.

As a woman though, if the person I'm writing with describes their lead male in a way that I find physically unattractive then I find it hard to write intimate scenes.

I'd far sooner have a fuzzy image then I can ignore the bits I don't like viz. body hair! lol
Eve

x

 

[3113]

Where & How are the Measurements Mentioned?

I'm in agreement that if readers (and writers) want a laundry list of measurements that's up to them and there's plenty of room in erotic for it. In fact, that list, which usually pops up at the start of a story, is so pervasive it's almost it's own style of erotic.

As for offering up measurements in general...I think there are non-list ways of presenting measurements that can enhance the character and story. I also think there are non-list of presenting measurement that hurt a story and probably should be avoided.

For example, I'd have no trouble with a first-person story where a guy mentions that he's only 5'3" as this not only lets me know that he's short and women in heels tower over him, but also that he's self-conscious about it. His mention of the measurement tells me more about him than just his height and could enhance the story.

On the other hand, I've read stories where the woman hasn't seen the guy she's having sex with naked, yet, there in the dark, she says that she can feel his "10" cock" in her. I'm sure some readers take this as a given, but it makes me stop dead and think: "is there a ruler in her vagina?" Which is to say: I don't think there are many instances where pausing to mention measurements during a hot, passionate sex scene is a good idea.

 

[TravelinJack]

I think the description of the character is an art in it self. You have an image within your mind and there are little details that you want people to have in their own minds while they are reading it. This might just be the red tint of someone's hair or the deep blue of one's eyes.

I've read some things where its detailed down to the threading of the clothes and to me that is overkill. I've never been overly good at describing a character, but I don't think that's a big deal either. The reader can interpret how they wish.

 

[TravelinJack]

I agree with 3113, by the way. Finding new ways to give the reader a perception of the character outside of rigid description is fun and innovative to the process.

 

[sr71plt]

"is there a ruler in her vagina?"

Well, yes, all women come with measured ridges as do men's penises so that each can feel and count off the inches--but only in those countries that use the inch measurement, of course. I'm surprised you didn't know that.

 

[TinyBeth]

I do something similar.

Kevin from my story 'Tits for Tats' is a young Randy Orton the WWE wrestler.

The main character from 'Gray Iron' though is myself. At the age I gave.

Lol! I've been tempted to use wrestlers as well. Maybe a "tag team" from guys based on Edge and Christian? Sorry my Monday night fantasies haven't passed even though it's Tuesday. (And yes I know Edge is retired, but he's still hot)