Describing Men.

by Allison
(Corning, New York)

Question Yes, as silly as it sounds to me, I can't describe them. Every time I do I feel I make them too feminine sounding. Especially with their hair style. I get that boys like their hair long but is there an easy, simple way to describe them in general?


Answer: Unfortunately, there's no general way to describe men, or women, or anything for that matter.

The key to description is to find the specific, telling details that make that character unique. You don't need a lot of them, just enough to make each character distinct from the others in you story.

For instance, not all boys have long hair. And the only point to mentioning that one character has long hair would be to set him apart from other characters who do not. If they all have long hair, then long hair would scarcely be worth mentioning.

This is why there's seldom a need to mention that a character has two eyes. It's not distinct. (Of course, if he has one eye or three, or he is the only character who has two eyes, that would be a good telling detail.)

If you want to make the point that your male character is masculine, look for the details that convey masculinity, but also that fit with all the other aspects of that character - his age, social class, occupation, hobbies, attitude towards life, etc.

Of course, there are masculine cliches (a square jaw, stubbled chin, sizable biceps, poor grooming, smelly feet, pot belly, hairy legs, chest, back, etc.), but the trouble with cliches is that they are recognizable and not specific to the way you want to portray your character (and they're not always kind).

Here's another exercise to try. Go to a mall and spend some time watching men/boys go by. For each one, jot down his two or three most striking/unique characteristics (positive or negative). You may only have a few seconds if they're walking quickly, so pay attention to what you notice first about each stranger. Is it something about their clothes, attitude, mannerisms, gestures, facial features, hair, body shape, or how they treat the person they're with? Maybe it's how they talk or what they remind you of.

You should find, if you really look, that your descriptions are all different.

Comments for Describing Men.

Click here to add your own comments

Thank You, Again.
by: Allison

Once again, thank you for clearing it up. I guess I try to describe a little too much. The mall idea actually does sound reasonable. Maybe next time I go to the mall with my friends i'll try it.
Great!
by: Addie Lynn

I mean, getting caught watching young boys and taking notes on them....... I'd rather not be known as a predator guys!!!! great tips otherwise, though... Thanks!
To: Addie Lynn
by: Glen

LOL. Deliberately trying to get close to particular young men and taking notes would be creepy. I definitely wouldn't advise following anyone or staring intently for any length of time. Don't hang out in front of schools. But if you are sitting in a mall or public park and people happen to walk past, you are going to notice them.

Being in a public place and watching people stroll past is pretty normal behaviour (at least it was until cellphones became ubiquitous). There's a long tradition of writers and actors watching strangers to get ideas for characters.

For this exercise, you only need a few seconds of seeing someone to note their 2-3 most outstanding physical traits.

If you're in a public place and there are some people who just happen to remain close enough to you for you to notice their behaviour, I don't think that would get you in trouble.

Similarly, if you're sitting in a restaurant and simply happen, with no effort on your part, to overhear a conversation, you haven't done anything wrong. But it's one way to get an ear for dialogue. (One reason writers often write in cafes.)

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and submit your own question/topic! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Character Invite.