Death to Character Descriptions
Dec 27, 2018
4 minutes
BY P.S. HOFFMAN
Here’s the secret to writing compelling character descriptions: Cut them out entirely.
A writer’s most powerful tool is the reader’s imagination. Don’t waste it, especially when you’re introducing characters and the particulars of their appearance. There is nothing duller or more forgettable than a laundry list of physical traits: hair type, eye color, weight, etc.
Take a look at these two descriptions. Who is more interesting?
She had short blond hair and a blue dress.
She could swing a broadsword better than any man in the village.
Instead of spelling out every detail, empower your readers
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