I'm way overdue on writing my description. The main problem I face is that I tend to describe all my characters with the same style of writing. Looking back at some of them I would even say they look identical :ph34r:

Most people tend to suggest the following:
1) no describing items that can be equipped/removed
2) no emotes in descriptions like smiling etc
3) needs to be objective (cant tell the viewer what he/she thinks)

Any other advice will be appreciated.


orz

Focus on the things that a person would first notice, that would catch their eyes first. Then proceed from there to less obvious things, filling out the picture.

Don't give yourself a nasty scar in the shape of something-or-other and a tattoo. Everyone has those. Or if you do, make it come from something important in your history -- let the history dictate the scar, not vice versa.

People don't usually suggest those guidelines you put forth, Arthalas, they insist. They're really basic rules for describing yourself.

1. Be as brief as possible in describing yourself while still getting out what you need to say.

2. Do not describe yourself as being perfect.

3. When ordering your description, think on what characteristic an observer would notice first, what they would notice second, and so on. Put those details in that order.

4. Do not include more details than someone could reasonably perceive in about a minute of interacting with you. Her really amazing eyes will stand out immediately, but it may take you a while to notice that her thumbs have an extra joint.

5. Avoid choppy, stand-alone sentences. This is primarily caused by saying one thing with each sentence. Thus, try to include multiple features in each sentence.

Not So Good: His hair is long and blond. His eyes are blue.

Better: His long blond hair partially coveres eyes the colour of a summer sky, warmth and humor blah blah.

6 If you choose to use analogies in your description, have a central theme. Maybe they have to do with the seasons. Maybe they relate to precious stones. Whatever, just be relatively consistent. If I think of the four seasons, precious stones, butterflies, and a mandolin just from looking at you, you have too many disparate analogies.

7. Follow the rules you already have. Don't include things that you may lose or not have on you. Don't perform actions in your desription. Don't put thoughts or feelings into people's heads.

Here's one that really pisses me off:

People using the words 'pretty' or 'beautiful' in their descriptions. People have different perceptions of what's 'pretty' and 'beautiful'. So just describe yourself as you are and let people judge for themselves.

I was going to post advice... but I think Melanchthon covered it all. That's a very good set of rules for describing just about anything.

I think he's been reading My secret describing stuff notebooks

I saw someone once describe their pretty breasts and how they catch the attention of me so I said,


"Wow those are some pretty breasts you have there."


and then she got mad at me!

I like the people who put emotes in their description.

*based off of a true description, but not exact quote*

"She looks at you shyly and catches your eyes watching her, suddenly she turns around in embarassment and pulls her cloak infront of her face to hide her burning cheeks. A moment or two later, she emerges, bashfully, from her cloak."

So, I'll promptly 'L Person' about 5 times, and then say

"Wow, aren't you tired yet? All that turning around, and hiding behind your cloak.. You do it so fast and so often, it must wear you out."

ROFL

Thanks for all your input! orz

One other question regarding description. I know a lot of people feel strongly about using description which is circumstancial, (ie hair flowing in the wind etc) but what about describing eyes and arms?

Eyes will be closed when a character sleeps. Arms are usually covered by armour, unless it can be seen rippling through even metal. :ph34r:

Is it not worth looking too much into it, or do people actually have a different description when they sleep?

No, the description's the same, but I guess it's okay to describe the colour of your eyes, etc. You can just say you open your eyes unconciously while asleep every so often.

This is Cronus:

He is a burly tae'dae and very tall and towering, at approximately seven feet. His fur is dark brown and short, with some patches of a lighter brown hue. Thick limbs like trunks, and pointed-bear incisors poking through his mouth, this bear would look extremely aggressive if not for the friendly, ever-smiling features. The main talon on his left paw is oddly white in comparison to the other black digits. He is wearing plain grey trousers, and a pocketbelt.

The impressive people have a description set to aliases for when they sleep, remove all clothing, change race with illusions or go undead.

I changed my description when I became undead, but I don't unchange it when I'm not undead, though when I become less lazy I might.

Try not to start every single sentence with 'the' or 'his'. It's small, but it (can) look better if you just vary your sentences a little - eg. 'He is very tall. His hair is long and black. His muscles are rather large. He is wearing a black tunic.' is a bit monotonous. 'Tall, dark, long-haired and extremely muscular, the man wears a rugged black tunic.' - the points are shorter, and condensed into one largeish sentence, but just sound better that way.

I think the style of writing can give you just as important an impression of the person as the features they describe... you can make your appearence sound intimidating with your language, or even encourage a person to want to reach out and stroke your fur (or give you a comforting hug) without resorting to "His appearence is intimidating." or "You instinctively want to comfort the small faeling." But that's just me - not that I can write so well and descriptively as i'd like to!

Oh, and one more thing, try going back to look at the description you've written a day or so later... you'd be surprised how lame something can sound But on the other hand, you may just be impressed with yourself!

Double post, d'oh Wish there was a 'delete' button.

Also, have a look here. There's a good guide for beginners to writing descriptions, and a list of adjectives that'll blow your mind.

I haven't gone all out on Ibsen's descriptions yet... but I do change descriptions depending on wether hes viscanti or trying to look lucidian.

I give myself bonus points for the two descriptions having parallel structure too.