Character Descriptions

I have read two scripts in the past week in which the writer(s) did not describe the main character – either by age – or by appearance. How very odd! Many writers actually do the reverse and over-describe their characters. I remember one writer who described a couple as they deplaned in Jamaica by telling us what they were wearing down to their shoes. I’m talking “light blue oxford shirt, unbuttoned a little, khaki slacks, tan socks and loafers.” And then there was the woman – everything, the color of her dress, the type of sandals, the way she wore her hair and the jewelry she had on. Folks, by the time I got done reading the descriptions I was bored stiff. And that was on page one.

So the question becomes – well – how much should you describe your character? You definitely need to tell us how old they are but you only need to describe their clothing to the degree that it reflects the character’s personality. Our couple might have deplaned in bathing suits – and then we do wonder – geez, what’s up with this couple? And - is the woman in a one or two-piece? Is the guy in a Speedo or in trunks? But the color of the trunks really doesn’t matter. How a character wears their hair is definitely an insight; but if you’re writing a businessman, I don’t really care whether his hair is parted on the side, curly or parted in the middle. But I would be interested if he had a crew cut or a shaved head. I’m interested to know if a character has a tattoo. I’m interested if a woman is wearing flats or stilettos.

What are you wearing right now? Seriously. Look down at yourself. And if you were to walk into a bank wearing what you’re wearing in this moment, how would you be assessed? As a crazy surfer dude? As a prim homemaker? We dress to give people impressions of ourselves all the time. And so do our characters. I am wearing a big turtleneck sweater over a funky hippy skirt. My hair is in a pony tail. What does that say about me? A lot. But it doesn’t matter what color my skirt is, does it? Does it matter that my hair is red? Yes. Or blonde? Absolutely. Because though this is not (necessarily) a conscious choice on your character’s part – it will make an impression on whoever they meet and similarly so, it will make an impression on the reader. Right or wrong, we judge by appearances. And most of us do it in the blink of an eye. Oh, a blonde – she must be pretty! Redhead? Fiery. Mousy brown – uh oh, a shy one.

What if your character is non-descript? Sure – that can work – as long as it is for effect. I have a client (hi Scott!) who has written a wonderful thriller and the main character is completely bland – until a crazy person comes into his life and forces him into a frightening adventure. But Scott purposely gave us a main character with very few descriptors. Because he is a metaphor for Every Man.

Some characters have signature looks: Dorothy with her pinafore and braids, George Clooney in O BROTHER with his pomade, Glenn Close in FATAL ATTRACTION with her Medusa-hair. Are you starting to get the distinction between brief descriptions which tell us about your character’s psyche versus fashion laundry-lists? When you describe your character you are only drawing broad strokes and intimating much more than you are describing. You are giving us a snapshot.

SANDY (20s) a fit and cheerful blonde, straps on her running shoes.

Got it? Can you picture Sandy? Now, it could be that this is enough. I think it is. Unless Sandy is wearing head-to-toe, heavy, oversized sweats because she has bulimia and she hates her body. Or if she’s wearing next-to-nothing because she’s an exhibitionist. If you’re going to actually describe the clothing in any detail – you better have a strong character reason for doing so.

HOSEA (48) an intense businessman, straightens his Republican red tie and plucks a grey hair.

Do you get an idea of who Hosea is? I noted the color of his tie for an obvious reason – I am insinuating he is a conservative.

CECILIA (12) puts her mousy brown hair back with a pink barrette and runs her tongue over her braces.

Need to see what she’s wearing? Nah. Pink barrette, mousy brown hair and braces. I can fill in the rest with my imagination.

JUSTIN (23) lanky and thin, trims his soul-patch and grins. He tucks a skateboard under one arm and gives himself one last approving glance in the mirror.

What kind of shoes does Justin have on? Well, probably not loafers.

Similarly so, we don’t need to know what every object in your character’s car, living room or bedroom looks like. Broadstrokes. We can intimate a lot from just a few things. Sandy probably has a treadmill in her bedroom. I’m guessing Hosea has heavy walnut furniture. Cecilia probably has stuffed animals all over her canopy bed and some Lindsay Lohan posters.

Maybe you want to give us more detail about a character’s room. Sure, just break it up and avoid long, block-like action lines describing the minutia.
Cecilia sits at her computer. A Sims family awaits her. She glances out the window – an oak tree shifts in the breeze. Dialogue, dialogue, she slams the door on the way out to confront her angry mother. A soccer trophy falls of the shelf. Aha. Soccer trophy. You see, just give us these details little by little.

Descriptions are necessary only insofar as they tell us things we need to know or infer about your character. A guy with dreadlocks has just told us so much about himself. An adult with braces has too. So just give us those broad strokes and hints so we can make some assumptions and form some opinions about your character. Don’t micro-manage and describe every last detail. It’s unimportant, it’s boring and it will mark you as an amateur.

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