How to Describe Characters When Writing

Get a clear image of the person/thing in your head; if you have to, draw it., Make a list of certain traits that make up the character: hair color, eye color, face shape, body shape, etc., Decide on your options., Study these examples for Emma: I...

17 Steps 1 min read Advanced

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Step 1: Get a clear image of the person/thing in your head; if you have to

    Then, try to think of more descriptive words to describe your list of traits. , First, you may choose to describe the person plain and simple.

    For example, if you come up with a list for a character name, oh, Emma, let's say, that list could contain: slender, brown eyes, brown hair, heart face, curly, and long hair. , She was tall, with long, curly brown hair, and had a heart-shaped face with brown eyes. , Study this example:
    As I was walking in the hallway, I noticed a tall, curvy figure talking to some friends.

    As a boy would walk by, she would flick her long, curly hair, and would bat her ink black eyelashes, showing off her chocolate-brown eyes. , Try studying this example: , You get the picture. , Now, all you have to do, is to write it.

    Make sure to include the details, and try to use professional words, so in the long-run, your story sounds professional.
  2. Step 2: draw it.

  3. Step 3: Make a list of certain traits that make up the character: hair color

  4. Step 4: eye color

  5. Step 5: face shape

  6. Step 6: body shape

  7. Step 7: Decide on your options.

  8. Step 8: Study these examples for Emma: I saw Emma in the hallway.

  9. Step 9: Write the description as the character is moving/doing something/as the story still goes on.

  10. Step 10: There is also a third option

  11. Step 11: which is writing it as you go.

  12. Step 12: I walked up to Emma

  13. Step 13: recognizing her from her curvy figure...She looked at me

  14. Step 14: tears welling up in her chocolate brown eyes as she talked about her mom's death...as we ran down the path

  15. Step 15: Emma pulled a hairband into her curly hair

  16. Step 16: and wiped sweat off her heart-face...etc.

  17. Step 17: Choose whichever way that works best for you.

Detailed Guide

Then, try to think of more descriptive words to describe your list of traits. , First, you may choose to describe the person plain and simple.

For example, if you come up with a list for a character name, oh, Emma, let's say, that list could contain: slender, brown eyes, brown hair, heart face, curly, and long hair. , She was tall, with long, curly brown hair, and had a heart-shaped face with brown eyes. , Study this example:
As I was walking in the hallway, I noticed a tall, curvy figure talking to some friends.

As a boy would walk by, she would flick her long, curly hair, and would bat her ink black eyelashes, showing off her chocolate-brown eyes. , Try studying this example: , You get the picture. , Now, all you have to do, is to write it.

Make sure to include the details, and try to use professional words, so in the long-run, your story sounds professional.

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Brittany Roberts

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