When I write, I have a clear picture in my mind of what my characters look like and even what they're wearing. But I'm very bad about getting that down in print. I tend to skip over descriptions of attire when I read books. As I sit here writing this in my flannel shorts and baggy tee shirt, I admit I'm not much of a fashion judge. On the other hand, a character's attire shows something about that character's personality just like my new running shoes do about me. And sometimes, because even my romance novels have a lot of action in them, what the characters are wearing can determine their movements. Someday, I'm going to write a novel where they all wear tee shirts and jeans with some great running shoes and never dress up into something fancier.
On a side note, I missed the cover reveal for Cloaked in Fur for Monday. TF Walsh's paranormal romance will be available on August 5th. Isn't that a great cover.
Do you spend a lot of attention to the attire of your characters when you write? Do you find it distracting when the attire is described in a lot of detail or do you want more than you get? What your favorite attire for when you're writing?
11 comments:
I spend next to no time on clothing! Most of the time they are wearing military outfits. If you've seen one, you've seen them all.
I keep it simple. I mean, its just clothes.
I think it helps to solidify the character in the reader's mind if there's some description, but it's better if it's worked in naturally, if it's inherent to the scene, and not just description for description's sake.
As a reader, I think some description is necessary so that you a picture in your head. As a writer, keeping it short and simple is best. Working it in so that it adds value to the story is best. BTW, it is something that I struggle with, too.
I don't know about when I'm writing, because it's been awhile since I wrote fiction. But as a reader, I don't give two cupcakes what a character is wearing or even what they look like.
Unless I need to know it for a good reason.
PS: I have the day off today. Woohoo.
As a reader, I don't often need or want a lot of detail about the clothing, unless it is really descriptive of their personality. Some characters, their sense of fashion or lack thereof is pertinent to the story or the character. Otherwise, as a reader, I can dress them.
i was just thinking about clothes and how i should go back and add descriptions to some scenes, something was def missing!
and yay tonya!
I like to visualize clothes, but others get irritated when I describe them. I think it is dependent on the person.
Unless their clothing is important to the story line or the person's character, I generally don't go into much detail.
Good luck finishing your first draft!
Clothing rates so low for me. I'll give it a quick mention, just to give the reader an idea of the character, but I don't go into any details.
Haha, I have a very similar problem, in that I have to remind myself to describe what the heck my characters look like, now and again. :-)
Some Dark Romantic
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