4 Tips to Write Great Character Description

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[@vinicius99157]

Extra tip: your character doesn't have to look like what you think an angel looks like

[@HannahLeeKidder]

!!! yeah! I love writing ugly characters just because ugly people...exist

[@AFMR0420]

Ugly people are more interesting to look at. If you ever look at bonsai, often the tree is both ugly and beautiful.

[@kaydens6964]

You can write biblical angels instead!

[@dennybick6011]

Lol. "I think we're supposed to be worried about him." I don't know why that tickled me so freaking much.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

We Just Don't Know

[@KailorAurelius]

"Christian, these tabs!" Sent me

[@HannahLeeKidder]

THE TABS!!!!

[@EmilyMcCosh]

I'm fairly sure I heard you say "oh my god" with your voice sped up as you were fixing the last set of weird tabs and that might have been the best part of my day...

[@HannahLeeKidder]

ij;SDifja;wef I sure did

[@EmilyMcCosh]

@@HannahLeeKidder Amazing

[@hrb9679]

I'm considering making it a thing to have my characters look into mirrors at the beginning of their story and... move on without saying a thing about what they look like XD

[@brodenmckinney8168]

or do what 50 Shades of Earl Grey (a parody of 50 shades of grey) did and introduce the mirror as a mirror but then have the character realize its not a mirror at all and is in fact a poster of Kristen Stewart, who looks nothing like the character. Then have them walk away.

[@JustForeverSmile]

I love it when you show yourself editing! You always explain why you make specific changes and it helps me get into the mind of conscious editing (and writing) if that makes sense. You're very informed and it makes it all the better for when you're sharing your tips with us. Thanks!

[@cass2239]

"If they're wearing baggy clothes maybe they're insecure or hate attention" oof that hit me 😄😄

[@gloriarussell4622]

i can't explain how much i love ur live edits except to say that this is basically ASMR for me. Fix My Manuscript ASMR. Correct My Grammar ASMR

[@micahklassen7151]

Roast Me But In A Soft Tone ASMR

[@marinagemoftheseas]

How is this 1 day ago? This video came out a few minutes ago. Is YT drunk?

[@HannahLeeKidder]

@@marinagemoftheseas Patreon early access!

[@HannahLeeKidder]

I'll make a four hour one just for you

[@marinagemoftheseas]

@@HannahLeeKidder Riiight. Makes more sense.

[@patriciawilkin1258]

Everybody's yelling at Christian's tabs but like... me too Christian

[@HannahLeeKidder]

the enter button is right there for ya. just chillin'. waitin'.

[@christianvchacon]

@@HannahLeeKidder Duly noted. Haha! Good to know I'm not alone Patricia, but we really oughta fix that, laughl (lol).

[@BellaRosePope]

Your eyes are hella green in this 😳😍

[@HannahLeeKidder]

it's because the green necklace increases my magic.

[@starlitbri]

All those tabs killed me

[@HannahLeeKidder]

can you hear the tears rolling down my face

[@silvijap7]

There is something about your voice... maybe how you talk, or your general ... whatever it is. The way you are, at least in these videos, inspires me to write, and gives me a clearer perspective of what I want my writing to be. Thank you. And yes, Ićm a patron, as of recently.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

awww this ended nice. I didn't think it was going to lmao. Thank you!

[@silvijap7]

@@HannahLeeKidder LoL - the suspense was completely unintentional! I absolutely love your videos! Maybe I have more sense of drama than I thought!

[@welcometorealiti1244]

I feel like I never needed anything more than these tips at this exact time!

[@HannahLeeKidder]

yessssss I love when they're well-timed.

[@christianvchacon]

Check out the 4:56 part of Hannah’s video titled “ 3 Tips For Writing Flash Fiction + Examples “ for how to properly indent (without tabs).

[@justluc8556]

ur videos are always so helpful omg thank youuu. also, nice skull. (also, the tabs gave me life--I remember you freaking out at the formatting of my doc lolll)

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Thanks for saying so! I try rly hard to make it as accessible as possible, so this WARMS MY HEART RIGHT UP

[@JCResDoc94]

*☼ can i have my character evaluate the shape they leave on the pillow* , then reflect on how eye color is the only thing missing, and how it isnt like looking into an infinite crystal blue pool at all - bc it is missing. And that there is far too much of their raven curls on pillow & now they worry they may be balding? & theyre wearing a corset. but they only notice bc they werent when they went to bed? can i do that?

[@StarlightSkarlet10K]

Ahh yes. 15 minutes of Hannah exposing all my weaknesses 0-0

[@codygrannemann9506]

I'm liking your channel so far. I am pretty new to it, and it makes me want to stop procrastinating and actually try to write something.

[@HxneyViolet]

I outline my character descriptions! I find a picture (usually on pinterest) and bullet point their appearance. I have primary points, used for basic description, and secondary points, for more detailed description to throw in later. Example: • bright blue eyes • gold flecks • long lashes • long brown hair • warm toned under light • layered hair cut I chuck most of the primary points in asap but I sprinkle the secondary points in casually 😊 😊

[@aname4700]

I actually love this idea! I will use it, thank you!

[@brianarendon111]

This is super helpful! Thanks!

[@chongus927]

I love your editing sections

[@HannahLeeKidder]

blog version: hannahleekidder.com/2020/05/02/how-to-write-great-character-description/

[@Pinkfrosting25]

This is great!!!! Thank you.

[@TheXxxbonez]

Hannah... You're awesome. Thank you!

[@HxneyViolet]

I could watch you just edit and chat for two hours straight honestly 😂

[@HosannaRider]

I think one thing that throws me is how she sees him when he sits and leans against her fence. My mind goes to his back leaning on it, but his side also makes sense considering she's able to describe him through a fence. It may be a good detail to add how he is positioned off the bat so the reader doesn't get confused. I'm probably offering advice that isn't wanted haha, I was just confused about it and wanted to note my confusion. Also saying how close or far the fence is, it'd have to be pretty close for her to be able to read the small script of the officers name, a few feet may be hard (then again I'm pretty blind). Just seeing if you could read something the size of your pinky in a crumpled shirt on someone slumped over from a few feet away would be a good test. Seeing his name may be better when she brings the towel and glass.

[@d3entertainment830]

How funny you mentioned the mirror thing here. I'm working on a draft of a book now that starts with a mirror description. I doubt I'll keep it. I feel the same way about them. But not much to do during these times. Thanks for these videos. They're awesome.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

hahaha I think all rules can be ignored until draft two. People write with cliches because it's just EASY and accessible, so if that's how you finish a first draft, props

[@d3entertainment830]

@@HannahLeeKidder Thank you. I usually stay away from things being like other things I've seen too much of. I try to put a twist on things I can't avoid. First drafts are always fun. You introduced me to a whole new world when it comes to writing. I've always wrote but there was a lot I'd yet to learn. Thank you for the great content.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

@@d3entertainment830 That's nice to hear! Thank you.

[@Tori-vz5er]

My rule with description is usually if it doesn't come up in a natural way it doesn't get put in, it helps me avoid a dump of description or the cliches

[@brodenmckinney8168]

pretty much every time someone talks about over describing or describing in a weird way I cough George R. R. Martins name, because the one time I tried to read "A Game of Thrones" I got to through the short first chapter (a prologue really) and was immediately thrown into 3 pages of describing an outfit of what someone was wearing. I was not invested enough to continue.

[@WHATRadioNickSembrat]

Thanks again for another great video! Those tabs tho

[@ffstopP]

Helpful. Thanks. And - added bonus - you're very funny.

[@12thDecember]

That officer's uniform better match the locale. Most LEOs wear either blue uniforms if they're city or state police, and county LEOs tend to wear khaki-colored uniforms. Black is usually reserved for tactical uniforms. The first time I ever saw an LEO wearing a black uniform was in New Mexico, but I think they're also worn in New York by some departments. I can't swear to it, but I don't believe name tags include the word "officer." Their badges would include that word, but AFAIK, name tags usually consist of first initial and last name.

[@christianvchacon]

This is really helpful, thank you again! (P.S. Did you forget the patron name scroll again? Haha!)

[@HannahLeeKidder]

Thanks for sending in scenes! (Sure did.)

[@Trintron46]

What words can be used for different skin colors without being cringy?

[@HannahLeeKidder]

An excellent absolute rule is NOT to describe POC's skin tones by comparing them to food. lmao I usually keep it really simple. Pale, dark, brown, pasty, etc. I feel like skin color is one of those descriptions that you just get straight to the point and not try to be poetic. It's just not one of the more interesting details, so no need to overthink anything, imo

[@briathepotato9208]

like uh... insert helpless animal here gosh that was HILARIOUS

[@billyalarie929]

per "2). spread description": what do you think about writing a huge bulk of all possibly relevant descriptions (of a person, or place, or whatever... some talisman, etc.) and then like, writing the scenes BETWEEN the huge block of description? like getting all the details down, and thennnnn writing the relevant scenes to correspond with/up against the relevant detail? just so you have all the details and description you could think of, so you don't forget anything along the way? does this make sense?

[@billyalarie929]

also, how do you phrase mannerisms? i've seen it done 10000s of times but it eludes me every damn time when writing, even in reading many times i get lost. :(

[@jacindaellison3363]

How long is Little Birds? Also, I'm working on a fantasy anthology with flash fiction and short stories. Do I need a theme for the book b/c I was just thinking about having random stories in there.

[@HannahLeeKidder]

The audiobook is around an hour and twenty minutes. Themes make it much easier to design and market, for sure. But fantasy itself is a theme. I'm making a Skillshare class about how to put a collection together, so if you have an account, make sure to follow me to see when it drops! ^_^

[@jacindaellison3363]

@@HannahLeeKidder okay, thanks, Hannah!