Welcome to the Wednesday Writing Challenge!
Every Wednesday, I pose a new writing challenge here on the blog. These challenges come from books on writing, classes I've taken on creative writing, or sometimes just from my own imagination. If you're an author, hopefully they will help you get your writing juices flowing and help you improve your craft.
Some of these challenges may be very good ones or may include an element I consider highly important for writers to learn...so occasionally I may cycle through some of my favorites more than once.
?? Want to Participate ??
The Wednesday Challenges are open to all readers. In order to participate, simply comment on the challenge post with your response to the exercise. Not only is it good practice, but you could win something nifty and fun!
January Prize: A $20 E-book Gift Card
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And now...
***Here's Today's Challenge!***
A Favorite of Mine.
Physically
describe an attractive person (male or female), as viewed by another
character. This means describe what they look like. Do not mention eye color or hair color.
Do not use:
muscled, brawny, gorgeous, beautiful, pretty, voluptuous, curvy,
perfect, "drool-worthy", "panty-dropping", or "yummy". (Shame on you if
you even consider those last three).
Avoid gross use of hyperbole or cliche.
Post your results in the comments.
GO.
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***Hints and Tips:***
If you can't describe a person using a generalized term ("beautiful", "gorgeous", "muscled"), you have to get more detailed and specific. You can still describe someone muscular but you must find more creative ways to do it.
If you can't describe eye color or hair color, you have to pick out other characteristics to highlight. Describe ears, nose, lips, throat, fingers, etc. Find ways to make these details evoke beauty in your character.
If you avoid physical description and instead default to vagueries such as how the observer feels about this person or what thoughts/images this person inspires, you weaken your description. Consider the description of Bella's mother in Twilight, highlighted below:
Courtesy of Reasoning with Vampires |
He saw her standing there looking at him with a deep expression in her eyes that made him feel tingly inside. Her long layered hair swept over one eye, making her seem mysterious; igniting a fire within him. She walked with a slight sashay in her hips, as she approached him. Her lips had a perfect cupids bow and he licked his lips as she came face to face with him. Her big round eyes held some sort of secret that he desperately wanted to know. She smelled like lilacs and summer breeze. It enveloped him and sent his heart soaring. Her high cheek bones made her look like royalty, her ears just barely at a point as all high elves are. She smiled, showing him her brilliant white teeth, and he could see a peek of her tongue between them. He caught his breath as she spoke, her voice sounding like a melodious bell that made him weak in the knee's. "My names Amiae, welcome to Echari Falls."
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