Oh, I was making a distinction between characterization and character descriptions. To me, characterization is essential. I'm not going to be interested in the story much at all unless there are characters involved that I care about. So there's no way (not even in an "idea" driven novel) that I'm going to read something without some good characterization in it.
However, when I refer to character description, I mean things like eye color, hair color, weight, height, clothing, etc. In general, unless it relates to the story or tells me something about their emotional character, I'm not all that interested. I form a picture of the character in my head on my own and don't need the author to flesh out those details. Because of this, as an author I generally leave all the descriptions up to the reader as well. Unless it relates to the plot or characterization in some way.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Thoughts
Date: 2008-02-23 07:30 pm (UTC)However, when I refer to character description, I mean things like eye color, hair color, weight, height, clothing, etc. In general, unless it relates to the story or tells me something about their emotional character, I'm not all that interested. I form a picture of the character in my head on my own and don't need the author to flesh out those details. Because of this, as an author I generally leave all the descriptions up to the reader as well. Unless it relates to the plot or characterization in some way.