Character Description in a Novel made me The Thinker
Character Description in a Novel made me The Thinker
Character Description
Warning: The words writer and author are used interchangeably. The word actor applies to men and women. Sometimes emails come in where people want to split hairs on how I write. Writing or filmmaking is like dancing. Not everyone is going to like your moves.
Introducing character description in a novel has been a big change from screenwriting. When I write movie script I know what look and wardrobe an actor will have. Viewers will see this on camera, so there’s no great explanation needed in the script. When the audience sees an actor on screen they see what they look like and are wearing.
Starting my first novel titled “Crazy Love Story” adapted from a screenplay has been a challenge for me on how to introduce what a character looks like. It has to be done in words and not moving images. This has been a major learning curve. I’m now getting comfortable with the formatting of a novel compared to a writing a movie script, but am still having one hell of a hard time with character description introduction.
I read a variety of novels from different authors and like with filmmaking there are different styles. Some writers take the approach of describing characters in detail down to the brand of shoes they’re wearing and others slowly reveal a characters overall appearance through the course of the story through the eyes of other characters. There are writers that are very brief in character description and there are writers more descriptive in the surroundings of the story and types of mobile devices, coffee, cars and other product placement elements involved.
There is a good group of talented writers on Twitter that have entertaining and insightful blogs they share. Social networking can be a strong creative boost for a writer. Author Everett Powers puts a link on Twitter for Character Description: How Much Do You Want? This is a lively and informative blog post that caught my attention on my Twitter timeline. It’s cool how the universe works. I started following Everett Powers through talented erotica and contemporary erotic romance author Eden Baylee.
After reading Everett Powers blog post about character description in a novel and comments left by writers I had clearer focus. When it comes to screenwriting, directing and producing entertainment I’ve paid my dues. When it comes to writing a novel I haven’t paid my dues or earned my stripes yet. Until I finish a novel I’m not a novelist, just like if I didn’t finish a film I wouldn’t be a filmmaker. Same rules apply in my mind.
Learning the viewpoints of character description from authors that have finished books came at the right time. Reading through Everett Powers post and comments left by other authors was a creative boost. If you’re struggling with character description in a novel give Character Description: How Much Do You Want? a read. Nobody is going to write the words of your novel for you, but getting solid information from authors that have experience can only help your own creative voice get louder. This is indie filmmaker Sid Kali typing FADE OUT: