Tips for writing vivid descriptions of a character

As an author, one of your objectives is to help your readers have a quick image of their favorite character in your book pop up into their head each time they think of that character. While this image is contained only in their imagination, it is largely influenced by how you described the character.

Below are some tips for writing vivid descriptions of a character in your story:

Physical details

When describing your characters, begin with their physical appearance to help your readers paint a picture of the persons in your story. It works the same way when we see a person for the first time: his or her physical attributes grab our attention first even before we can talk to them. In literature, this evokes a image in the minds of readers before they get to know anything about your character.

Selecting your adjectives well

Fresh and creative ways of writing help add spice to your character. Choose carefully the adjectives that you use when describing your character, lest you end resorting to hackneyed words and cliches.

Highlight the character’s interests

On top of their physical appearances, your character’s true nature can be more deeply revealed by exposing their interest. For example, describing a young boy as being “obsessed with Superman” is more evocative than describing him as some with black hair and tall”.

Use descriptive details from your own life

First impressions generally focus on a few details, whether these are their brown eyes and curly hair or their distinct mannerisms.

Find out how a character’s life is influenced by their surroundings

In addition to the physical details and interests, a character’s hometown or household can largely speak volumes about them. The things they do on a daily basis or the objects they value the most in their surroundings are great stuff for character description.