So, what does everyone like and dislike in descriptions? Discuss.

I don't like descriptions that if I'm reading them while thep erson is talking to me, it takes so long that they think I've gone AFK on them.

I don't like descriptions that if I'm reading them while thep erson is talking to me, it takes so long that they think I've gone AFK on them.

Actions (He turns and winks at you as you gaze upon him)
Anything that implies they have more power than they should. (You look at him in terror)
Anything that mentions what I am doing or tries to determin my actions(see above)
Things that do not fit the race. (He is an elfen and has flippers! Like a dolphin)
Descriptions that mention what their personality is like, or how the achieved scars.
Desscriptions with clothing in them.

All of the above plus descriptions that go into intimate detail over certain parts of the anatomy.

I think you just hit all of mine at once.

To add to the positive column, I really like it when there's a rhythmn to a description, instead of a collection of sentances.

On the negative column, if I see another female description that directly mentions the size of her chest, I'm going to kill them. I'll come with some excuse. But I'll kill them.

It's actually quite easy, first rule of describing; never ever use the word "you" or any of its abreviations in any form whatsoever.

Here's what sticks out the most to me that I absolutely hate.

First, people that use 3 instead of three (or any variant thereof)

Most importantly is double spaces. Oh yes double spaces. It annoys me to no end when I see them littered throughout a desc. They belong in real professional writings, in lusternia it just looks ugly.

Edit: Also descs that are just incoherent, I shouldn't have to reread over and over to figure out what you're trying to say.

I agree about the chest size thing, I'll be the judge of a woman's size . Also, the pharses that annoy me the most are "is less/more than average height/weight". We don't know an average really, just tell us exactly how tall/big you are (both and English and Metric accepted of cours ).

Actually, we do know an average. Consider that each 1 point of size is worth about half a foot, and go from there.

Psssh, that requires math, and who needs math? . But I didn't know that, thanks. Now I can see if my character's height is appropriate .

Still, the point is vaild. I like hard solid numbers to this less than/greater than stuff.

I have NEVER ever described breasts in any description of any character I have ever RPed. I think it's a pointless part of the description that is only there to advertise.

Concerning descriptions, it's a known fact that any 'female' character who mentions her breasts explicitly has a 40% chance of being a male, or a wishful, preteen female. Should they begin to go into horrendous detail about their size or softness, or how they bounce, this chance increases to 75%. If at any time in the description it says 'juggs, ta-ta, chichi, hooters, bouncingly, wildly jiggling, massive' etc, the age range tends to decrease to below 13, and the chance it is a male overtakes the chance it is a female by 90%. If at any time nipples are brought into question, there is no doubt it is indeed a male that is generally of 12 years of age, with an astounding 99.99% chance of occurrence, the other .01% remaining too horrible to even imagine.

Heh cool, nice figures.

So true!!

I agree entirely. I also don't like it when people force impressions unto you... "he has scary looking eyes". Says who?

There are plenty of ways to "nudge" towards a certain impression rather than just state it.

In fact, I once even wrote about it...
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Descriptions

First impressions have tremendous effect on people and a large portion of that impression comes from the visual image that the said person emits.
In this scroll a few pin-pointers and suggestions would be made, hopefully helping you in your time of need.
There are no rules to writing descriptions but here are guidelines that should be followed in order to create a fitting description:
• A person should not be described as doing a certain action- why? Because we live, we breathe, we move. We never react in the same manner to every single situation… for instance in battle, no one is likely to stand his ground casually.
• A person shall not tell or hint what others think of him- this exists for obvious reasons, each sees things differently, you cannot force others to see what you want them to.
• A person will not link traits to body parts- there is no such thing as wise eyes… that's something each perceives on his own
• A person should not describe what he is wearing- it comes out badly and it might collide with what indeed you ARE wearing
• A person should not use universal terms nor describe anything relating age- Age is a fleeting thing and unless you intend to change your description every once in a while, I suggest against it. As for universal terms, handsome and beautiful are individually determined, thus, there is no point stating such a thing.

Now, with all of these limitations… how can we go about making the first impression we desire?
That's quite easy actually. There are certain things which can be conveyed without hinting too strongly or bending the minds of others. For instance, agility can be conveyed like this: "every movement he makes, casual or not, seems fluid and graceful". Masculinity is also easy to describe, emphasizing muscles and shoulder width. Deep eyes can sometimes leave an impression of wisdom.
The possibilities are endless, feel free to explore and think of new and unique ways to accent your personality without declaring it. Aye it is a bit harder to work out and yeah sometimes people won't see you exactly the way you want them to… but that's the whole point! We are living breathing individuals and each and every one of us translates the things he sees differently.

Note that it is not mandatory to follow these rules, but do realize that descriptions must be written with care without resorting to phrases as: "Check out the swords on the dude!" et cetera.

It was me who originally came up with this theory.

No, it's been a well-known fact for many years I'm afraid.

I like descriptions for female chars written by 13 year old boys.

I can never, ever stop laughing.

You can never, ever stop fapping.