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Whatever medium you're writing in there's overlap
From poetry we learn about word placement
From radioplays we learn about sound
From screenplays we learn visuals
And so on
So let's take a look at characters and clothes
#WritingAdvice
#AmWriting
From poetry we learn about word placement
From radioplays we learn about sound
From screenplays we learn visuals
And so on
So let's take a look at characters and clothes
#WritingAdvice
#AmWriting
What a character wears can tell us a lot about who they are and their background
Or it can tell us how they want to be perceived.
We'll take Doctor Who as an example
Or it can tell us how they want to be perceived.
We'll take Doctor Who as an example
Technically all the Doctors are from the same root, although some have more backstory than others.
Each Doctor has a different way of dressing that reflects the kind of doctor they are.
For example, Christopher Eccleston is a dark and stormy doctor in dark colours
Each Doctor has a different way of dressing that reflects the kind of doctor they are.
For example, Christopher Eccleston is a dark and stormy doctor in dark colours
On the other hand, Jodie Whittaker is a bright and hopeful doctor in a rainbow top and short trousers
Or are they...
Or are they...
The Ninth Doctor has a vein of humour and the Thirteenth Doctor has a thread of darkness. The difference in their characters isn't as clear cut as they might first appear
Remember, they're versions of the same person
Remember, they're versions of the same person
It's important when we're describing a character to remember not all of them wear they're true characters.
The most obvious example would be the prince and the pauper trope where physically identical characters swap clothes to take on the identity of the other
The most obvious example would be the prince and the pauper trope where physically identical characters swap clothes to take on the identity of the other
These characters have obviously only changed on the outside and there's often a running joke about 'you're acting oddly'
Another version is beautiful on the outside and ugly on the inside
Gaston has the look of a romance hero but he's a dick
Another version is beautiful on the outside and ugly on the inside
Gaston has the look of a romance hero but he's a dick
Beautiful on the outside is the other side of the disability/physical difference as the villain trope we previously looked at.
In a way it's subversive because the idea of beautiful equals good is so ingrained in many societies https://twitter.com/SisterQuill/status/1196014634815365121?s=19
In a way it's subversive because the idea of beautiful equals good is so ingrained in many societies https://twitter.com/SisterQuill/status/1196014634815365121?s=19
One of my favourite examples of this trope is Wickham in Pride and Prejudice who has all the appearance of what was considered admirable but it's all a veneer
Whereas Darcy who appears to be an ass is actually alright underneath
Whereas Darcy who appears to be an ass is actually alright underneath
On an interesting note there's no physical description of Darcy in the book readers are free to impose the image they want on Darcy. And a lot of them have chosen Colin Firth
No physical description does present an obvious problem, readers may impose a dominant image on the character like the romance cliche of the tall, dark, and handsome white hero
Hi, Gaston
Hi, Gaston
Sidenote: saying 'well, I didn't describe them as white' when you haven't described them at all isn't the same as writing diversity
It's a bit of a cop out, to be honest
It's a bit of a cop out, to be honest
When we're describing our characters' clothes we have to ask ourselves:
Is this who they are, who they think they are, or who they want us to think they are?
If it's the latter why do they want us to think that?
#WritingAdvice
#AmWriting
Is this who they are, who they think they are, or who they want us to think they are?
If it's the latter why do they want us to think that?
#WritingAdvice
#AmWriting
If you want to know more about using description to reveal character I wrote a whole book about it.
Seriously... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1095896717/
Seriously... https://www.amazon.com/dp/1095896717/
Or check out the unedited articles on my website https://jessesstudio.wordpress.com/advice
