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Contests & Activities: October 16, 2024 Issue [#12794]




 This week: Character Descriptions
  Edited by: spidey Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

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Welcome to the Contests & Activities Newsletter. I'm spidey Author Icon, and I'm your Editor this week!



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Letter from the editor

Character Descriptions

I'm curious, as a writer and a reader, how important are character descriptions to you?

Do you like to describe your character down to the smallest detail so your reader can have a very clear image of what you are presenting to them? Or do you prefer the reader to come up with their own vision of the character? Maybe that way they can see themselves in a character easier? Which do you prefer as a reader?

There are lots of ways to describe a character. I often see in writing the author presenting eye color and hair color first. Is that enough?

There are a lot of ways to describe characters:

*Idea* Physical appearance. Probably the most obvious. This includes things like hair color and eye color, but also the shape of their eyes or nose or chin. You can convey a lot in specific features, I think, and most readers might picture a character's face first, so that could be the first thing to present to them.

*Idea* Mannerisms. Maybe a character fidgets or has a tic or smirks in a specific way. Mannerisms can be used to add subtle tone and depth to a character, maybe even foreshadowing.

*Idea* Behaviors. How a character interacts with others can tell a lot about who they are. This is why exercises can be helpful if you're creating a character. Imagine how they'd react to a waiter, for instance, or how they would deal with someone being rude to them. How would they respond in an emergency situation? Or if they found a lost kitten? These are all ways to get your character's identity and description across - how they interact with the world.

When it comes to contests, it can be tough to convey a lot within word limits, but I think description of character remains a pretty important part of story telling. Whether you give a lot of detail or just a little, it can impact a reader and their experience of your story.





Take care, and as always, keep on writing! *Quill*



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Editor's Picks






Official Writing.Com Contests & Activities:

 
Good Deeds Get CASH! Open in new Window. [E]
Write reviews to win cash prizes!
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Short Shots: Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Use the photo to inspire your creativity. Write a short story and win big prizes!
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Contests/Activities:

Hook of the Book Open in new Window. [18+]
Can you write the most engaging opening sentence for a story?
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The Grim Reaper Contest - Closed  Open in new Window. [13+]
This is a Horror Flash Fiction Contest. See you in October 2025!
by Fictiøn Ðiva the Wørd Weava Author Icon

Horror Writing Contest Open in new Window. [13+]
A contest involving writing a horror story. Simple, really.
by s Author Icon

Rach's Reading Club Open in new Window. [E]
Where all you have to do is read books to receive awesome prizes.
by Choconut Author Icon

The Witch's Garden  Open in new Window. [13+]
HALLOWEEN HANDLES! Closed! See you in 2025!
by Ẃeβ࿚ẂỉԎḈĥ Author Icon

13 Poetic Days of Halloween Contest 2025 Open in new Window. [E]
Let your spooky poetry shine. Opens Oct. 13th. - closes 12:00am Oct 26th WDC time.
by Lyn's a Witchy Woman Author Icon

The Prompt Me Contest Open in new Window. [13+]
Weekly winners will have a chance to win the monthly MB give-away!
by Cubby Author Icon

 
GET THE PICTURE ?  Open in new Window. [13+]
Writing Activity, No Competition - image-based prompts!
by Solace.Bring Author Icon

 
Whack-a-Zombie Open in new Window. [E]
Whack-a-Zombie...Earn Points...Get Rewarded!
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Horror Movie Objects and People Open in new Window. [E]
A word search of horrific words. Haha!
by Keep it creepy,fuzzy & staiNed Author Icon



Some How/To Items that might help you:

On Giving Reviews Open in new Window. [E]
Are you speechless when you stare at that little reviewing box? Here are some tips.
by Roseille ♥ Author Icon

Helping Links Open in new Window. [ASR]
'Help Links' for Newbies and all other members who are still learning
by Maryann Author Icon



Some contest resources:
How to Create a Contest Open in new Window. [ASR]
Things you need to know before you open a contest. Includes a contest template.
by Angels in my Ear Author Icon

"Create/Edit a Message ForumOpen in new Window.
Newbie Hyperlinking 101 - Bitem Format Open in new Window. [E]
Learn the ins and outs of creating a link using the bitem format.
by NickiD89 Author Icon





Know of some gems that deserve exposure? Submit them in the feedback form or submission form at the end of this Newsletter, and I'll put them in my next one!



 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer


Feedback from my last newsletter "Contests & Activities Newsletter (September 18, 2024)Open in new Window., which discussed character names:

I, too, decide on character names based on the feel of the story I want to write. It bothers me, sometimes, that I typically write stories using basic, unexciting names.

~ QPdoll is Grateful Author Icon


I suppose if a name fits, then it fits! *Laugh*


How do I choose the names of characters? Most often, they come with appropriate names already attached. In those cases where this doesn't happen, I look for names that are less common or even made up. The American habit of using surnames as first names is very useful in this regard - had some of my best names through this. A while back, I started a file to record interesting names when they came to me out of the blue. Naturally, I didn't keep it up for long and I've used them all now. But it was a good idea and maybe I'll fire it up again.

I do think that names are important. They can save one a lot of character description since they come with so much wrapped up in them already.


~ Beholden Author Icon

That's a good idea! *Bigsmile*




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