Advice Please

[rosalinda-143.livejournal.com]

Okay so my book is written in first person and people are usually saying that authors' don't give a full despricption of the protagonist so they can slip into his/her shoes. Well I don't want that but I think it would be weird if the protagonist described themselves. I mean how do you fit that into you story? It just sounds weird that they would be describing themsevles even if it were for the sake of the reader.

So if anyone could tell me how I should do that, that'd help temendously. Oh and what is second person? I mean I've heard third and first but second? I didn't think there was a second.

Thanks!

peace.love.happiness.

- Less Squeaky, More Sneaky

Comments

[svenjaliv.livejournal.com]

There's a few tricks, like saying "I brushed my long blond hair out of my face", although they often read kind of gimmicky to me, especially stock phrases like that one. NEVER describe your character by having them look in the mirror, you can't get more cliché than that.

I don't write in 1st person, usually, but I suppose you'd describe it when it's relevant (and if it's not relevant, don't bother!). Depending on the type of book, you can have your MC pick out an outfit for the day and match it to her hair colour. I wouldn't describe facial features since it's really hard to accurately describe your own face at the best of times. You can have the MC compare themselves to other described characters - thinner, taller, fatter, etc ("His six-foot-four frame made me feel small, even though I was easily one of the tallest girls in the year"). Have other characters describe them; even if it's usually exaggerations, we'll get some idea ("You're about the ugliest girl I've ever laid eyes on", "You're a handsome one, aren't you?" etc).

So yeah. Just be subtle about it; don't write things like "I tied my long black hair up with a pink ribbon and applied eyeliner to accentuate my big, emerald green eyes" or whatever because a) it's gimmicky and the easy way out and b) it kind of smacks of Mary Sue syndrome a lot of the time.

Oh, unless you write chick lit. Narrators in chick lit can get away with describing their long brown tresses and naturally full lips, and worrying about their weight and shape, and listing the things they like and dislike about themselves. In chick lit, "gimmicky" matters a lot less.

That's all I got. Hope it helps.