Hi everyone, I am currently sketching out an outline for a new novella and in my notes I came up with a main character who fits this description (will not use same terms in actual text) - Has a face like Adam Levine - Has body like Armie Hammer - Has voice like Glenn Gould - Is a prolific novelist that has publish one book (but written several others) - Can speak six languages What impressions would such a character make on you? Would you find him too much ? Thanks for the input Good day!
Without more context it's hard to have much of an impression. It's kind of like knowing someone solely through instagram: I know what he looks like and the things he's probably most proud of, but I don't actually know much of anything meaningful about him or his life. If this was all I learned about him through the course of reading your novella, he'd feel like quite a shallow character. But I'm assuming you'll be filling in the details.
Of course, it is not all that we know about him, he is actually going through strong turmoil within the novella. Let me rephrase, what I am most interested in is the first impression this character might produce in your mind, if this description seems plausible or potentially likable (or not).
Personally, I'd find him a bit too perfect to be interesting. A superficially attractive published novelist who knows six languages? But that's only in front-loading all of this positive information. If he has foibles -- again, I'm assuming that he isn't meant to be perfect in-text -- and they're also presented in equal measure, he could be a well-rounded and likable character. But presenting his greatest hits in bullet points only makes him come across as shallow and boring.
The problem with the above is that you won't (I assume) be using those names to describe the character, so how would you actually describe them?
A bit intimidating to someone like me who's got a face like "meh, you've tried", a body like "oh look, pizza!", never finished a book and barely knows three languages. Self-deprecation aside, I agree with izzybot. Too perfect would be my first impression and perfect ist boring. I could easily assume that person to be arrogant and pretty full of himself, no personality traits given. But depending on how these facts are delivered, I might be interested in finding out what flaws and deep dark secrets that person has. Because no one is that perfect.
Yes, but that means that I have no idea how I would react to the character. Words are words; they can't paint a photorealistic picture.
New Glenn Gould's voice? Did he have an especially distinctive voice? (Do you mean singing or speaking?) You should listen to his cbc radio programs on cbc, available on youtube
Of the three people you named, I only know Adam Levine. So, yeah, a different reason why this is relevant... Going off the last two points, I'd say he tries to make himself more than he really is (He's written several books, but why aren't they published?) And, going off the languages, I'd guess he either really loves learning different languages or he likes to brag about his intellect. Also, going from the Adam Levine thing, I'd say he's at least somewhat handsome, so kind of getting a Mary Sue vibe between that and the last two points.
I Googled pictures of Adam Levine, and found myself imagining how two of my characters would describe him: 1: Dark-haired, pretty, his face disturbingly symmetrical; I had the vibe of an android that was an almost, but not quite, perfect imitation of a human. 2: A bit like a young Cary Grant, minus the personality, plus a three-day beard. All because I find the posed shots to be rather disturbing. But someone else might be utterly rhapsodic about him
Even if what the others say about the character can be anyone, I believe, every coin has two sides, even if the other side is not immediately apparent. For example, this: You say he is a 'prolific novelist', yet has published but one book. I imagine he loves his own writing, or maybe he is naive to not see that his writing still has to mature. He's had one book published: I imagine him holding his many rejection letters, and I like his perseverance. Sure, I also hope that his one book did well, and he is writing his next Harry Potter. Maybe I will know when I read more. He can speak six languages? Most of us know languages can give us different perspectives and a viewpoints in understanding any given event/incident/experience. He must be a well rounded person! Oh, but maybe, he was also too nerdy or too ambitious to be socialising and to be content by simply partying in his formative years -- is how he got to wanting to learn languages, or love it or actually learn it too. Maybe he is rough around the edges, and is not much of a people person -- a contradiction to the popular opinion that handsome men with a baritone voice might have it easy. Maybe, the click-clack of the keys of his Remington typewriter was the metronome, like maybe Glenn Gould's keys on his piano. His handsome features not withstanding, I see myself wanting to listen to what the narrator would say more about this character (as long as it is something thrilling and intriguing. , but that's just me. ) I think the author has the right to explicitly state the positives and get it out of the way, making more room for the conflict. You work, you choose. All the best!
I may not be your target audience since only one of those names means anything to me. Realizing you are not using the names, that is positive.
Never having found Adam Levine the least bit attractive in any way, you've already lost me. I might think the guy is kind of a tool. (If you find him attractive, sorry, but he gives me the creeps.)
LOL--I googled to check, but I actually like him better with the scruff. Doesn't improve my opinion that much, because the guy just isn't my type, but it's...better. OK I'm going to stop cyber-bulling Adam Levine now because I'd think he was an ass if he was doing this to a chick, so...Rock on, Adam Levine.
I think you'll never really get anywhere by just stating a few points about your characters and ask opinions about them. Because all the references to people I've never heard about aside - there is really nothing to go by. So he's a writer? I know a lot of writers. Not sure how many of them live exciting enough life to have books written about them (sorry, guys, I'll take that line back if I have to ). He talks languages? Good on him. How many of those are going to be used in the book? Why is any of this relevant at this point? While there is nothing wrong about asking for help - you need to write, write, write to let the character grow into something more than a list of features and trivia. And Googling Adam Levine all I have to say is that he looks entirely blank to me. Like a really generic guy with only "stand out feature" is that his neck seems to go all the way up to his forehead. And reading that description in a book... actually "neckface" might be a redeeming feature come to think of it.
