Are you the kind of reader who likes to have a detailed description of the hero or heroine in romance books? What about other secondary characters? And do you feel the same way about characters in books of genres other than western historical romance, or romance in general?
To me, there is a big difference in how much character description is needed in romance novels versus other genres, and here’s why.
When we read romance, we put ourselves in the story, empathizing with both the heroine and the hero. Of course, we need enough description to let us be familiar with them both, but this might be a case of “less” being “more.”
In our personal lives, we have preferences in how our romantic “leading men” look, speak, behave, and so on. If our preferences are toward the tall, dark, and handsome hero, it will be hard for us to be vested in a story with a hero who perhaps doesn’t have those traits. Or one who has habits we personally don’t find attractive. (Just as an aside, I notice from watching the original Perry Mason reruns that EVERYONE has a cigarette in their hand–everyone except Della Street, that is. Seeing this series that was shot during those years soon after the stories were written, you realize what a different time that was in our society.)
But back to our character descriptions in the books we read. I knew a woman who didn’t like blond heroes. If he had blond hair on the cover, she’d color it brown or black with a marker. In the book, if “blond” was mentioned, she’d mark through it and write whatever color of hair she’d decided he needed. I asked her about the heroines. “They’re all me,” she answered. “I don’t pay attention to their descriptions.” It made me wonder how many other readers felt this way. By the way, I used this cover pictured below, GOLDEN NIGHTS by Christine Monson, to illustrate the blond hero–those are sometimes hard to find. This story was a fabulous study in character development and how it all contributes to the entire workings of the plot from start to finish. IT’S NOT A SWEET STORY–much grittier, but the writing, descriptions, and plot were unbelievably detailed and worked perfectly to create a very interesting love story.
Stephen King had mentioned at one time in his book ON WRITING that “description begins in the writer’s imagination, but
should finish in the reader’s.”
And in genres other than romance, character description is different–and maybe more important–because the reader doesn’t have any preconceived expectations of the story, such as romance readers do.
When I taught creative writing classes, this description of King’s was one I used to illustrate how so much could be packed in to a short amount of words without being an info dump.
AMAZON LINK FOR ON WRITING BY STEPHEN KING
This is the beginning of St. Agnes’ Stand, by Thomas Eidson, who also wrote The Missing, which was a very successful movie. Take a look:
He was hurt and riding cautiously. Thoughts not quite grasped made him uneasy, and he listened for an errant sound in the hot wind. His eyes were narrowed—searching for a broken leaf, a freshly turned rock, anything from which he could make some sense ofhis vague uneasiness. Nothing. The desert seemed right, but wasn’t somehow. He turned in the saddle and looked behind him. A tumbleweed was bouncing in front of the wild assaults from the wind. But the trail was empty. He turned back and sat, listening.
Over six feet and carrying two hundred pounds, Nat Swanson didn’t disturb easy, but this morning he was edgy. His hat brim was pulled low, casting his face in shadow. The intense heat and the wind were playing with the air, making it warp and shimmer over the land. He forced himself to peer through it, knowing he wouldn’t get a second chance if he missed a sheen off sweating skin or the straight line of a gun barrel among branches.
And then this, a couple of paragraphs down:
He had been running for a week, and he was light on sleep and heavy on dust and too ready for trouble. He’d killed a man in a West Texas town he’d forgotten the name of—over a woman whose name he’d never known. He hadn’t wanted the woman or the killing. Nor had he wanted the hole in his thigh. What he did want was to get to California, and that’s where he was headed. Buttoned in his shirt pocket was a deed for a Santa Barbara ranch. Perhaps a younger man would have run longer and harder before turning to fight and maybe die; but Nat Swanson was thirty-five years that summer, old for the trail, and he had run as far as he was going to run.
I absolutely love this. Can you feel that you’re right there with Nat Swanson as he’s riding? There are no wasted words, and this is just such an eloquent, masterful description of not only Nat, but the situation and the physical place he’s in as well as the dilemma he’s faced with.
AMAZON LINK FOR ST. AGNES’ STAND BY TOM EIDSON
Another excellent way of describing a character and setting the scene at the same time is from another character’s POV. This passage is from Jack Schaefer’s iconic classic, Shane—from the eyes of Bobby Starrett—when Shane first rides into his life.
This is just the very beginning of the book—there is more physical description of Shane a few paragraphs later, but I chose this passage because it lets us know what’s going on in a few short sentences—and that is real talent.
He rode into our valley in the summer of ’89. I was a kid then, barely topping the backboard of father’s old chuck-wagon. I was on the upper rail of our small corral, soaking in the late afternoon sun, when I saw him far down the road where it swung into the valley from the open plain beyond.
In that clear Wyoming air I could see him plainly, though he was still several miles away. There seemed nothing remarkable about him, just another stray horseman riding up the road toward the cluster of frame buildings that was our town. Then I saw a pair of cowhands, loping past him, stop and stare after him with a curious intentness.
He came steadily on, straight through the town without slackening pace, until he reached the fork a half-mile below our place. One branch turned left across the river ford and on to Luke Fletcher’s big spread. The other bore ahead along the right bank where we homesteaders had pegged our claims in a row up the valley. He hesitated briefly, studying the choice, and moved again steadily on our side.
This is tough, because we’re seeing it through two “lenses”—Bobby is nine years old, and this is what he sees, but it’s filtered by the adult Bobby who’s now telling the story of what happened all those years ago.
In writing the story this way, the reader gets the full impact of experiencing the fears, the situation brings, the joy of having Shane there, and the anguish of his leaving all through the eyes of a nine-year-old boy, with the adult overview that lets us know that Shane was not a hero—but he was to Bobby and those small time settlers who needed one so desperately. Yet, leaving was the only thing he could have done and kept Bobby’s view of him untarnished and intact.
Because we don’t know how the story will end, and we don’t know what to expect, we are learning about Shane’s character right along with Bobby so we are actively looking for details and descriptors the author might give us along the way—it will affect our opinion of Shane and let us know if Bobby is a reliable narrator, and it affects the outcome of the story.
I bring this up because in romance, seldom does the description have such a direct effect on the story itself, unless our main characters have scars, afflictions, or disabilities that might have some direct bearing on the story and its outcome.
AMAZON LINK FOR SHANE BY JACK SCHAEFER
My burning question for today is, what do YOU think? Do you like a lot of description and detail about the WHR heroes and heroines you read about, or would you rather “fill in the blanks” for yourself? Who are some of your favorite characters in books you’ve read–any genre! Be sure to leave a comment–I’m giving away a digital copy of any one of my stories! If you live in the USA and love to read, this just might be your lucky day!
As far as heroines go, most people I’ve talked to are not as concerned with her physical description (maybe because each person sees herself in the heroine?) but are more concerned with her personality traits—is she likable? Is she determined?
If she is not a fierce match for the hero, the story line is doomed.
And what about our hero? Though he can get away with more “questionable” traits, he has to be endowed with almost superhuman strength to overcome everything that’s thrown his way, and that is description that must be thoroughly detailed—not left to the reader’s interpretation.
Thanks so much for stopping by today!
A native Oklahoman, I've been influenced by the west all my life. I love to write short stories and novels in the historical western and western romance genres, as well as contemporary romantic suspense! Check my Amazon author page to see my work: http://www.amazon.com/author/cherylpierson
I live in Oklahoma City with my husband of 40 years. I love to hear from readers and other authors--you can contact me here: fabkat_edit@yahoo.com
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I love the details from the author!
Sabrina, in most cases, I do, too. You know what? As I’m reading and getting to know the characters, I find I “fill in the blanks” anyhow, because their characteristics, feelings, and actions describe what kind of person they are to me. Thanks for stopping by.
I like a few things like eye and hair color, an idea of height in relation to the FMC, but I don’t need an overly detailed description.
I’m the same way, Denise. Just a generalization for an idea of what the author had in mind is fine with me, because I will probably “see” them in my mind’s eye the way I want to see them anyhow. LOL Glad to see you this morning!
like lots of description
I feel that way about some characters–like in Gone With the Wind, I loved the descriptions of the characters. Glad to see you today!
Hello Cheryl! Your article (description in the westerns)reminded me of how Louis L’Amour wrote his. Very descriptive background and terrain without taking away what the character is doing or looks like and thinks. I loved those Sacketts. Funny about the blond heros. I grew up watching westerns and all I can think of is Clint Eastwood’s characters and him being called Blonde! Look at Robert Redford and his westerns! Yum on both! So, I’m thinking blond is good. Or grew up thinking that. Now they make the redheaded or auburn women beautiful. More so than blonds or brunettes. But, I like the variety. It’s the character of them that grabs me.
Thanks for your descriptive article today Cheryl!
Tracy, I loved Louis L’Amour’s writing. I used his book, Conagher, very often when I taught creative writing classes because there is no better illustration of just what you mentioned, the way his description of the setting fits in so well with defining the characters at times too. (My part 3 of this series is about this very thing!) I grew up watching westerns, too, and I really never thought of Clint Eastwood as blond, but yep, that’s what they called him. I think blond is good too–we can’t ALL be “tall, dark, and handsome” but most of my characters ARE because many of them are part Hispanic or Native American. As for the heroines, I remember how taken I was with the description of Ginny in Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers. From that description, I pictured her as the most beautiful woman who ever lived–and that’s exactly what RR meant to do! Thanks for stopping by today, Tracy!
I like descriptions. Thank you!
Thanks for stopping by today, Bridgette!
I love details from the author regarding the hero/heroine and even second characters. Putting too much details bog down the story line for me. To me it doesn’t matter what color hair etc. I have friends and family of different colors. It does mater to me personality and character and how God works in their lives, especially seeing them grow through out the story.
Lori, I am so glad you brought up the secondary characters! YES! I think in many cases they are so important and play a vital role in moving the story forward and providing a catalyst for the main characters to show THEIR characteristics, the way they think, and let us evaluate their relationships with those secondary characters. I always try to flesh out my secondary characters because I have been known to think…”He/she needs his/her own story…” LOL Glad to stopped by today!
I like some descriptions of both hero/heroine and at least a little of secondary’s characters. Usually the hero seems to have dark hair. I remember getting a used book years ago someone had colored the hero’s hair black. I thought how could someone ruin the cover of the book like that. Their character is more important to me than the color of their hair.
LOL Karijean, maybe that was a book my friend that I mentioned had had at one time and colored in! LOL Just kidding, I’m sure there is more than one reader who does that kind of thing. LOL You made me laugh! Good to see you today!
Cheryl, when I’m writing a character, I insert a few descriptions but not a lot. I try to give just enough so the reader can fill in as to how they want them to look. I don’t think I’ve ever written a blonde haired hero because they don’t appeal to me. Or red hair either. I want my heroes dark-haired or at least dark brown. I have written sun-streaked for a few of the brown haired ones without losing any of the appeal. I know a very talented author friend of mine who never puts any description other than height. To her, that’s important. But, I need hair and eye color. Another author friend wrote a short hero and I couldn’t read that book. The heroine was taller than him and that turned me off. Great point though. I love this post! Good job, Filly sister– even if you are an Okie! 🙂
Linda, you cracked me up! Kathleen Rice-Adams used to tease me all the time about being an Okie! LOL I have a hero right now who has sun-streaked hair that I’m working on, just because he has several brothers that have the darker characteristics and I needed something to set him apart. I am VERY satisfied with his looks, in my mind. LOL I guess height is a big deal for a lot of readers–I know that would have been for my mom–I always laughed at her because when I told her about any new guy I was interested in she’d always ask, first question, “How tall is he?” LOL Like you, I need hair color and eye color and I could not ever get into a short hero that was shorter than the heroine. That is not my cup of tea at all. Thank you for your VERY kind words, my Filly sis! Love you!
I am glad you brought up descriptions of characters as they are vital to me and my reading pleasure. I want the hero to be likable, handsome, even with scars as they were generally earned from a vital piece of his story. Blond hair on a man has not been an issue with me, as I have known some with blonde hair who were very likable and appealing. Tall, dark and handsome is quite a picture which seemed to always be the standard and rightly so. It does present a masculine picture to be enjoyed. As to my favorite character, I have read so many books I could not choose just one. There is a book in my hands every day.
Judy, I’m not surprised when you say you can’t choose just one, as many books as you read! I feel the same way, but I do have a few characters that stand out to me–I mentioned Ginny from Rosemary Rogers’ SWEET SAVAGE LOVE, and of course, the hero of that entire series, Steve. What a couple they were! Maybe I was just thrilled with them because that was probably the very first true ROMANCE book I ever read–I think I was about 19 or so. OHHHH BE STILL MY HEART! They were perfect matches for one another, and the only beef I had with their relationship was so many misunderstandings (to further the plot) and in my young heart, I thought true love was all hearts and roses with not so much confrontation. But what kind of a story would it have been without that confrontation, the misunderstandings, and then the reconciliation? LOL I have had other favorites in stories since then, too, but gosh, as you say, too many to mention. Glad to see you today!
I’m more inclined to character descriptions than physical descriptions. I like just the basics but usually skip over the long paragraphs that describe everything down to what color flour sack was used to make her bloomers.
HAHAHAHAHAAA! YES! I tell you, that used to irritate me no end to read description that just went on and on and on and left NOTHING to the imagination. I’m sure there are many like us, Rhonda, LOL So glad you came by. I’m stlll laughing about the bloomers! LOL
I usually write descriptions but weave them into the narrative–i.e., “He glared at her, his gray eyes spitting fire,” or “He thrust his fingers into her honey-colored hair.” Not too detailed but enough for readers to get a sense of who I’m describing. Good article, Cheryl.
Nan, I like that technique, too. You can sure do a lot with it, and it’s unobtrusive, yet gets the point across. I’m so glad to see you here, my Filly sister!
I like details that are woven into the story. Long drawn out details slow down the story for me. Great article.
Barbara, thank you! Yes, I agree. I want to get on with the action, not hear about what kind of material everyone’s ball gowns were made from, etc. LOL Same with meals—I really don’t care what was served at the banquet dinner.LOL Glad to see you!
That is so great about a reader coloring in the hair of the hero, I love that, a great use of ink in my opinion. 🙂 I pay attention to descriptions so I notice when a person’s details inside the book don’t match the picture on the cover. I think it happens when a book is re-issued and the cover is freshened up.
That’s true, Rachel, but also, in the past with the traditional publishing companies, authors didn’t have too much say with some of them over what their covers looked like. :((( That bothers me, too, because it makes you think, “Is this the book I was actually wanting to BUY?” LOL Great point! Yes, the coloring in the hair color makes me laugh every time I think of it.
I like enough to give me a picture of who they are, but not so much that it bores me with details.
Same here, Colleen. That’s when you just have to heave a huge sigh and think, “Man, I hope this gets better from here on out…” LOL Glad to see you here!
Hi, yes I like alot of description about them. This sounds like a great read, Thank you for sharing about it. I am not entering this ebook giveaway as I am not tech savvy , but Thank you. I enjoyed reading this. Have a great day and a great week.
Alicia, thanks so much for stopping by! I’m so glad you enjoyed this–I loved writing this blog series. You have a great day too, and thanks for your very kind words.
I like details about the characters as long as they are to descriptive that they become boring.
I feel the same, Linda, I get tired easily of description when it goes on and on and on–and I do not like skimming. I’m afraid I might miss a detail I would wish I’d seen later on. LOL Glad you stopped by today!
Oh yes I definitely like to get great details on the characters. Love to learn about there traits an personality and their unique quirks. It’s important to me any how and what i like about the people in the story. I love learning about them more. Have a great week
That’s what’s important to me, too, Sandy. Those kinds of details let you feel a kinship and empathy with the characters and their behaviors, and maybe the quirks they might have that are caused by things that have happened to them during their lives. And then we can see how, as the story progresses, they are going to slowly but surely overcome those obstacles–that’s what makes the story interesting, at least to me!
In a romance novel, the physical attributes of especially the hero, play the s big part. In other genres, the physical attributes are secondary to the story itself.
I laughed about coloring the hair on the cover picture. It bugs me when the picture doesn’t fit the details in the story or my mental image of the characters. I have a couple of different size fabric book covers and with them I can cover up the distracting picture. I do like some description but don’t want to get bogged down with it.