Holy Worlds Christian Forum
https://archive.holyworlds.org/

I imagine characters as words...
https://archive.holyworlds.org/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=5388		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  RubyNessaofFelagund [ January 19th, 2012, 11:10 am ]
Post subject:  I imagine characters as words...
I Imagine characters as words. I realize this must be a bit confusing for some people but when I try to stop my book and imagine the face of a character, I can't come up with anything. I'm not sure if other people do this but if you do I want to know! I admit the only character I've ever imagined, was Peeta in The Hunger Games. The person I imagined was so perfect for this part that when I go see the movie I will feel like its an entirely different book. No one could have played it more perfectly in my mind. Thats why its so strange, because I didn't know him at the time.BUT if anybody has the same problem with not seeing characters, please, I want to know!
:book: Oh and P.S. This is my first time on here. :)
Author:  Elanhil [ January 19th, 2012, 11:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
Hey! :) And I'm flattered that you think I'm so much like Peeta. :) I sometimes get a really vague idea, but where I'm really stuck and can't get a picture in my mind at all is when the author over-describes a character, especially after I'd already developed my mental image. This recently happened to me in 'The Plague' by Camus, with Rieux. I like it better when the author doesn't describe a character or just gives a couple minor important details like: 'The top row of his teeth were missing' or 'He was of an almost unimaginable height, with fiery red hair.' Then I can sort of fill in the blanks with people I have seen or just with my own imagination. But character descriptions are a place where there can be too much.

PS: Welcome! :D Head on down to Intros&Promos and start a thread to introduce yourself. :D

PSS: This isn't too big of a problem, but this post probably belongs down in General Discussion. I'll move it down there fer ya.

EDIT: I decided to move it to Character Development.
Author:  RubyNessaofFelagund [ January 19th, 2012, 12:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
Absolutely! Overdescribing does it too. But I can't make up an entirely new face in my mind I have no clue way. But yes you are like Peeta in every single way! :) :book:
Author:  Elanhil [ January 21st, 2012, 3:49 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
Making up an entirely new face takes practice. I heard somewhere that it's actually impossible, and if you think you've done it you're actually just pulling a face from someone you've seen before, whether it be from a random crowd of people or your own mother. I don't know how true this is; I'm inclined to think that you could combine elements from people you've seen to make a new face...

And even the brainwashing? I hope I'm not like him there... o.O
Author:  Elly [ January 21st, 2012, 8:56 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
At the beginning of the novel, I try to mention at least basically what the characters look like without the description being tiring for the readers. However, I usually try to brainstorm what the characters look like before I start writing the novel. :)
Author:  RubyNessaofFelagund [ January 21st, 2012, 12:55 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
No, not when he's brainwashed, but other than that every way.
Author:  Lady Eruwaedhiel [ January 21st, 2012, 5:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
Can we get back on topic here guys? :)
Author:  Aemi [ January 21st, 2012, 6:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
I hardly ever form a solid picture of a character, not even for my own. So yes, the mental image I get while reading is usually pretty vague.
Author:  Lady Elanor [ January 22nd, 2012, 10:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
Actually, I'm quite good with imagining what characters look like. But do you mean you find it easier to have words that describe their personality?
Author:  Sam Starrett [ April 12th, 2012, 12:17 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
Sometimes I have a clear image of a character, and I try to write so as to give my readers one, but often (especially when there are many characters with the same skin and hair color) I wind up with rather vague images. I think in the first few lines about a character of any significance, an author should give some kind of idea about what distinguishes his physical appearance. Is he tall? Does he have an especially long nose or a protruding chin? Red hair?

Also, I don't claim to speak for everyone, but I think I have clearer images if the author identifies one distinguishing feature first and foremost, something I and indelibly associate with the character; a first impression, if you will, and then gradually builds up detail. In some books I have to keep flipping back to a character's first appearance to remember what he looks like.
Author:  The Wolverminion [ April 12th, 2012, 12:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
Yay, another person who can't see characters. :D

I literally have a complete edit for every book, once it's done, dedicated to adding visual detail. Because I don't see it when I'm writing, I have to imagine it all in words and it's just not enough for a world full of visual people. :roll:
Author:  Sam Starrett [ April 12th, 2012, 12:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: I imagine characters as words...
Luke Froggus Mimetes wrote:
Yay, another person who can't see characters. :D

I literally have a complete edit for every book, once it's done, dedicated to adding visual detail. Because I don't see it when I'm writing, I have to imagine it all in words and it's just not enough for a world full of visual people. :roll:


Funny thing is, I work really hard to try and overcome this difficulty. I'm not a "non-visual" person in the sense of not seeing things and being comfortable with it. I hate that I can't see characters, and love it when the description is good enough that I can (although often even then the characters shift in appearance in my mind from sitting to sitting). That's one reason why I love fan art (and official art, but a lot of books don't have it, except on the cover), and also like to see the movie first.
Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC - 6 hours [ DST ]
Powered by phpBB © 2000, 2002, 2005, 2007 phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/