Character Details?

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

What do you mean?

My thinking is this: Let the tree flower and fruit in its season.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Nonsense.

 

[SamScribble]

Will the real Chauncey Gardner please stand up?

 

[Tio_Narratore]

I think you're pretty much right on this one, James. Sometimes a bit of backstory is necessary, but it is best still a question of flowering and fruiting.

 

[TxRad]

I think you're pretty much right on this one, James. Sometimes a bit of backstory is necessary, but it is best still a question of flowering and fruiting.

Don't tell the bees that.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I think you're pretty much right on this one, James. Sometimes a bit of backstory is necessary, but it is best still a question of flowering and fruiting.

I once interviewed a guy for a job, and in the middle of it he gets angry and shouts, AND I AINT NO GODDAMNED ALCOHOLIC! It never crossed my mind he was, till then. Outta the blue! And I don't care to detail characters as the job applicant detailed himself. The characters military service likely has no relevance to the story, and is omitted. Otherwise youre listing all the vaccinations and trips to the zoo and all the shit everyone did last summer.

 

[elfin_odalisque]

JBJ,apologies , I misunderstood your first comment.

I hate it when an author begins with, "let me tell you about myself". Thereafter begins a story of how his diapers were changed and a zillion other historical facts. By then, I've clicked back.

Now, Mea Culpa, I understand what you meant with your flowery post and totally agree.

Character development is not back-story.

 

[lovecraft68]

So answer me this one...

I"m introducing a character she's female and was a former CTU agent turned hired gun, a "Femme Nikita" Type.

Bringing her in I describe her looks in the sense of blonde/blue, attractive. BUt as for her body...part of me was going to stress the hard flat stomach, the toned/muscular legs....

But then I thought, its established this women has extensive martial arts training and is a professional killer, wouldn't the reader be able to assume she is in that type of shape? Soft out of shape people don't drop three men to the ground in ten seconds....

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

So answer me this one...

I"m introducing a character she's female and was a former CTU agent turned hired gun, a "Femme Nikita" Type.

Bringing her in I describe her looks in the sense of blonde/blue, attractive. BUt as for her body...part of me was going to stress the hard flat stomach, the toned/muscular legs....

But then I thought, its established this women has extensive martial arts training and is a professional killer, wouldn't the reader be able to assume she is in that type of shape? Soft out of shape people don't drop three men to the ground in ten seconds....

My thinking is this: Readers oughta know we all have navels, and most things imply plenty more things. So I agree with you, martial arts competence implies a good level of health and fitness and stamina, etc.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

JBJ,apologies , I misunderstood your first comment.

I hate it when an author begins with, "let me tell you about myself". Thereafter begins a story of how his diapers were changed and a zillion other historical facts. By then, I've clicked back.

Now, Mea Culpa, I understand what you meant with your flowery post and totally agree.

Character development is not back-story.

Good way of saying it: it aint back story.

 

[jomar]

But what is her flavor, LC...you can steer the image...is she tall and lithe or petite and toned, athletic build or skinny with sneaky athletic skills.

I'm working my way through Sandford's Prey series and he does a nice job of introducing characters look in a few words.

He also does a good job of giving them quirks that work.

His dialog is natural, as well.

 

[lovecraft68]

But what is her flavor, LC...you can steer the image...is she tall and lithe or petite and toned, athletic build or skinny with sneaky athletic skills.

I'm working my way through Sandford's Prey series and he does a nice job of introducing characters look in a few words.

He also does a good job of giving them quirks that work.

His dialog is natural, as well.

I think toned is a good word. It implies good shape and some muscle, but not overly large or muscle bound. It works better with women, because most men don't find women with obvious muscle that attractive (whether its look or intimidation, not sure but its scary when a woman's biceps are more defined than yours)

 

[SikFuk]

Here are fragments from one of my favorite songs, "Girl Downtown" written by Hayes Carll. He never actually tells us she's a waitress, but the descriptions make it obvious. It think this is excellent writing, although a little terse for a story. The point is, he's using the "show it, don't tell it" technique.

There's a girl downtown with freckles on her nose
Pencils in her pocket and ketchup on her clothes
She's a real nice girl, pretty as a plate
The boys call her Katie when they ask her on a date
And who knows Katie? Maybe you could be the one

There's a boy outside standin' in the rain
His hands are in his pockets he's a wonderin' why he came
He's a real nice boy, slower than the fall
The girls call him Billy if they’re callin' him at all
And who knows Billy? Maybe you could be the one

(CHORUS omitted)

Billy walked inside, ordered up a drink

He started gettin' nervous and a wonderin' what she'd think
She thought he looked nice, rough around the seams
Just the kind of boy who could listen to her dreams
And who knows Katie? Maybe he could be the one

Well, they stepped outside, and took a little walk
Katie held his hand and Billy even talked
They sat by the pond, they didn't make a sound
The night fell easy as the moon came down
And who knows baby? Maybe we could be the one

(CHORUS omitted)