Character Outfits.
by Allison
(Corning New York)
Question: I can write what my characters look like, sound like, and even talk like. But no matter how hard I try I can not find the correct way to describe their clothing. My book takes place in the modern times, and as a thirteen year old girl I find it hard that I just can't seem to write about their clothing. Is there a simpler way of describing clothing that I'm just missing?
Answer: How important is clothing to your story? If you intend clothing choices to convey something about your characters' personality, then a few telling details are all you need. For instance, put a man in an Armani suit and a Rolex and the reader will infer he is trying to impress people. Put a teenage girl in nothing but hoodies and loose sweat pants and the reader can infer she is trying to avoid getting attention from boys (self-esteem issues perhaps, or a bad experience).
Similarly, you can convey a character's activities or affiliations with clothing details. For example, the adventurous Lyra of The Golden Compass wears her fur parka like a uniform, in the same way Indiana Jones wears his leather jacket and hat. Athletes will invest in expensive running shoes, office workers will dress for work, etc.
Most of the time, you only need a few telling details. Or to put it another way, there's no need to include any detail that does not convey something important about the character or contribute to the story in some way. Too much detail just gets in the way. There's almost never a need to describe an entire outfit in detail from head to foot.
One exercise that can help is to comb through magazines for photos of people who look like the characters you want for your story. (S.E. Hinton, for example, based the character of the Motorcycle Boy in Rumblefish, on a photograph she saw in a magazine.) Look for details in clothing that convey the impression you want to make.
Comments for Character Outfits.
|
||
|
||
|
||
| site search by freefind |
Recent Postings
-
best seller plots
Apr 17, 19 03:24 PM
Question: How can I come up with a really new and good concept for a very high concept plot that will become a best seller. I need a way to be creative
-
POV and Tense
Mar 02, 19 10:16 PM
Question: I'm trying to write a story about an adventure that happens to four people. One person is basically the protagonist, and I've been writing them
"I've read more than fifty books on writing, writing novels, etc., but your website has the most useful and practical guidance. Now that I understand how a novel is structured, I will rewrite mine, confident that it will be a more interesting novel." - Lloyd Edwards
"Thanks to your "Create a Plot Outline in 8 Easy Steps," I was able to take a story that I simply just fooled around with and went willy nilly all over, into a clearly defined, intriguing battle where two characters fight to keep their relationship intact, and try to find a balance in control of themselves and their lives. Thanks to you, I'm not ashamed of the poor organization of my writing." - Nommanic Ragus
"I am so glad I found your site. It has helped me in so many ways, and has given me more confidence about myself and my work. Thank you for making this valuable resource, for me and my fellow writers. Perhaps you'll hear about me someday...I'll owe it to you." - Ruth, Milton, U.S.A.
"I never knew what to do with all the characters in my head, but since discovering Dramatica I am writing again in my spare time. Thank you for making this available. Yes, it is a bit complex, and it does take time, but I love it because it works." - Colin Shoeman
"I came across your website by chance. It is a plethora of
knowledge, written in a simplistic way to help aspiring writers. I
truly appreciate all of the information you have provided to help me
successfully (relative term) write my novel. Thank you very much!" - Leo T. Rollins
"I
can honestly say that this is the first website that is really helpful.
You manage to answer complex questions in relatively short articles and
with really intelligent answers. Thank you for taking the time to write
these articles and sharing them so generously." - Chrystelle Nash
"...had no idea that a simple click would give me such a wealth of valuable information. The site not only offered extremely clear and helpful instructions but was a very enjoyable read as well. The education from your wonderful site has made me a better writer and your words have inspired me to get back to work on my novel. I wish to give you a heartfelt thanks for How to Write a Book Now, sir." -- Mike Chiero
