Character Descriptions

In the past couple of years, I’ve had several people read my work and I’m always amazed when I’m asked why I don’t give a complete description of my characters for the reader. Actually, I do, not in the form of a full narrative describing hair/eye color, height, weight, age, etc., but descriptions are slipped in from the other characters’ point of view; traits are given via the character’s actions.

Renni Browne and Dave King, authors of “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” (second edition) state in their chapter titled "Characterization and Exposition" that:

“It’s often a good idea to introduce a new character with enough physical description for your readers to picture him or her ... When you define your character the minute you introduce them, you may be setting boundary lines that your readers will use to interpret your characters’ actions through the rest of the book ... when it comes to characters’ personalities, it’s much more engaging to have these emerge from character action, reaction, interior monologue, and dialogue than from description.”

When I developed the character of Sam Harper, I envisioned him as a man in his early to mid 30’s, slender, medium height, blond or light brown hair, definitely blue eyes. As noted, I don’t force feed the reader with a full-blown description in chapter one, paragraph one, so it was interesting when I started to get feedback from others about the character. The women who were in their 20’s to early 50’s pictured him as I did without being prompted, however, older women, had very different ideas of "the perfect looking man." One dear friend of mine who is in her mid 60’s imagined him as a dashing Sean Connery in his days as 007. Interesting, huh? BTW who doesn't think Sean is to die for?

What this says to me is that the writing may be based and influenced by the author's life experiences (likes/dislikes etc,), but the reader will bring into the mix the experiences that have shaped his/her life (likes/dislikes, turn-ons/offs etc.). Because I want my main character to come across as strong-willed and determined, I focus on his actions, internal dialogue, his doubts and convictions, his emotions, reactions, etc., even his sense of humor. But his physical descriptions come from the other characters and ... and here's where it gets really interesting. Harper's love interest sees and describes him in a completely different way than does his work partner. Now we're getting into window characters.

So ... even though I have a very clear image of what Sam Harper looks like I’m okay with the reader imagining him looking like Sean Connery or whoever else he or she like, so long as it keeps them reading!