Help with character description

[Rubnesque]

I just started this story (have written 6 chapters already, but pending approval on 4 parts, while the first two are posted) and I realized today I didn't really describe my main character. I've never written first person p.o.v. before, so it was easy to forget that while I can imagine what she looks like, you cannot. I have gone 6 parts now, so what's the easiest way to insert it without seeming to force the issue?

 

[scriptordelecto]

I just started this story (have written 6 chapters already, but pending approval on 4 parts, while the first two are posted) and I realized today I didn't really describe my main character. I've never written first person p.o.v. before, so it was easy to forget that while I can imagine what she looks like, you cannot. I have gone 6 parts now, so what's the easiest way to insert it without seeming to force the issue?

Hmmm, maybe you could do it by having her get ready for something, so she's looking in the mirror. It's a device I sometimes use when I'm writing in first person. It also lets you reveal a lot about your character based on her self perception. Just an idea.

 

[HappilyM]

By the sixth chapter your readers will have envisioned themselves as her. In all honesty your accident may have been the best thing. To ruin a picture that your readers' minds have painted may not be a good thing. Someone may disagree with me. When writing in 1st person I seldomly discribe my lead, only loosly, soft skin, short, tall you get the idea. it allows the readers to envision what they want to. Just something to think about.

If in their mind's eye they have a tall brunette it would distract them to see a short red head. Understand what I am rambling about.

 

[Iggy_Piggy]

If the story works without any description to this point, then I don't think you ever need to include one. It's common for first person narrators to not describe themselves- and this is usually a good idea because when they describe themselves, it often seems forced. While on the subject, overly describing other characters is not always the best idea either.

 

[tanyachrs]

I was reading Faulkner last night and realized I was on the third chapter before I knew whether the characters were black or white. If Faulkner doesn't have to describe his characters then you don't either. Might be interesting to check with your favorite writers (porn and non-porn) and see how much physical description they do. I think less is more, for the reasons people gave above.

 

[windstormy]

I agree with the rest of them. I believe it's the writer's prerogative as to whether to describe the main character (in first person, that is). And as already stated, by now, your readers already have their own idea of this character. So, you have the option of just leaving it be, or like the first commenter, describe the character while looking into a mirror preparing to go somewhere.

For my part, I would leave the description alone. Let your readers imagine what she looks like.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Don't even bother. If you begin discribing "I" in chapter 6, you will regret it. If you haven't done it so far and the chapters have been posted, why install a speed bump in chapter 6?

 

[Rubnesque]

Good points all, thanks. However, one caveat: it's not just her (the "I") pov. I switch between her's, the hero's and his brother's. I described the color of her eyes, her height, some weight, but nothing else.

 

[Jenny_Jackson]

Good points all, thanks. However, one caveat: it's not just her (the "I") pov. I switch between her's, the hero's and his brother's. I described the color of her eyes, her height, some weight, but nothing else.

There is a long discussion of discriptions in the AH, Rubnesque. The general concessis is that discriptions are pretty much not needed (and bloody boring) beyond what you say above. The reader has a mind, so you are better off just giving him/her enough and letting them fill in the image on their own.

Out of 40 some odd stories I have posted on Lit (under a couple of names) only one was writting from the first person POV and had no discriptions of the characters at all. It did quite well. The difference is WHO is the character versus WHAT DOES THE CHARACTER LOOK LIKE. Isn't that one of the bitches people have about real life meetings? ("She was Butt Ugly, so I dumped her.")

 

[Rubnesque]

Yah, I've struggled with this for a few days before deciding it wasn't really important, though I did put in a brief description from the brother's pov. I didn't mention cup size so much as the color and texture of her skin, the fascinating shadows of her curves, and her lips. I think I'm slightly obsessed with lips simply because of Angelina Jolie.