Is this a good technique?

[Da1337dude]

In my first story, I specifically avoided describing the physical attributes of my character (age, body shape...) so that readers would imagine her as their ideal. Is leaving a story "open" in this way a good idea? I just don't want to write an otherwise awesome story, and then have a reader who would otherwise enjoy it go "bleh too fat/too skinny/too young/too old" and go for the infamous back button.

 

[lovecraft68]

It's a good idea. I received a feedback on my latest story that lauded me for not saying how big the guy's cock was and what size chest the woman had.

You don;t however want to be too vague. As a reader I like to get some image even if it is just eye and hair color. But in general it does work out well to let the reader use their imagination.

 

[PennLady]

I agree with LC, which I'm sure is no surprise to anyone who's read my stuff. I'm really not good at describing people, so I tend to go with broad descriptions -- hair color and length, eye color, a reference on height, etc. Most people seem to like that; they can take those outlines and fill in the gaps themselves.

And I really refuse to specify a woman's bust size, b/c not every size is the same shape. I also refuse to specify the man's cock size, because what difference does it make, unless for some reason that's the point of, or crucial to, the story?

 

[Stella_Omega]

In my first story, I specifically avoided describing the physical attributes of my character (age, body shape...) so that readers would imagine her as their ideal. Is leaving a story "open" in this way a good idea? I just don't want to write an otherwise awesome story, and then have a reader who would otherwise enjoy it go "bleh too fat/too skinny/too young/too old" and go for the infamous back button.

I totally think so.

I often use emotional terms instead of concrete ones-- "sweet smile" "wicked eyes" "proud walk" "little-boy chin" to give the reader a clue as to the reaction they should expect on seeing the person. Then they can fill in whatever looks would do that for them.

And then people tell me how clearly I've described my characters!

 

[LucyH]

Yeah I agree 100% with lovecraft too. It's good to toss a little something out there, but too much description, especially all strung together, isn't good. If I hit a huge block of text describing what the character looks like, even if it is a gorgeous character, I will either skim or hit the back button.

 

[Handley_Page]

There's nothing quite so wrong with one person's description as being the ideal one for another.
Still with a "nice handful" for her and make her appreciative of his size (and prowess).

 

[lovecraft68]

There's nothing quite so wrong with one person's description as being the ideal one for another.
Still with a "nice handful" for her and make her appreciative of his size (and prowess).

"Sizable cock" is an expression I have begun to use. It leaves each woman to decide what that is. To so me women that could be 8 to a size queen 10.

Same with women's breasts. Ample is a word I like for that.

 

[Boxlicker101]

Normally, I just refer to body type, hair color and length, and vague terms, like big or large, etc. The only time I would be explicit at all would be if somebody is answering an ad in some kind of swingers' website.

 

[EmeraldKitten]

Unless their looks are crucial to the story, I tend to be vague.
Everyone interprets what they want... for instance, when I say the man's hair was in need of a cut- some women like really short hair, so in their mind it might be a half an inch long. In my brain, it's a lot longer than that, lol.
The story Matriarch and I co-wrote- a comment mentioned that we didn't go into great detail for one of the main characters. Neither one of us had realized we did it. So sometimes I think it happens on accident.

 

[vintagelady]

In my first story, I specifically avoided describing the physical attributes of my character (age, body shape...) so that readers would imagine her as their ideal. Is leaving a story "open" in this way a good idea? I just don't want to write an otherwise awesome story, and then have a reader who would otherwise enjoy it go "bleh too fat/too skinny/too young/too old" and go for the infamous back button.

I think it's best to leave certain things up to the reader. Having only ever written one thing on lit I might not be in a position to judge but I can honestly say as a reader, too much detail just doesn't flow well. I agree with Stella's use of description but for example I just find it quite tedious when an exact breast measurement is mentioned, "he messaged her perfect 32B breasts" etc If the writer merely sharing their own fantasy, fine but I can't honestly say I enjoy reading that.

 

[Ironiclaconic]

It depends.

Want to create an Everyman character with whom the reader identifies? Make their apprearance vague. Want to create an object of desire that drives a man to abandon his wife? Details will help with characterization. Either way rap sheet descriptions are bad writing.

 

[TE999]

Figure measurements are for tailors and bra manufacturers.

 

[Ironiclaconic]

Now I have the idea stuck in my head of a porn writer sending out a description of a wanted fugitive: "subject is a Caucasian female with 36DD breasts and lips that could suck a golf ball through a garden hose. Last seen in the company of a 6'2" male with 10" of throbbing man meat. Subjects are armed and considered erogenous."