The more time the writer spends on the description of something, the more attention the reader will pay to it.
Check out this opening from Dean Koontz’ Face.
AFTER THE APPLE HAD BEEN CUT IN HALF, THE halves had been sewn together with coarse black thread.
Ten bold stitches were uniformly spaced. Each knot had been tied with a surgeon’s precision.
The variety of apple, a red delicious, might have significance. Considering that these messages had been delivered in the form of objects and images, never in words, every detail might refine the sender’s meaning, as adjectives and punctuation refined prose.
More likely, however, this apple had been selected because it wasn’t ripe. Softer flesh would have crumbled even if the needle had been used with care and if each stitch had been gently cinched.
Awaiting further examination, the apple stood on the desk in Ethan Truman’s study. The black box in which the apple had been packed also stood on the desk, bristling with shredded black tissue paper. The box had already yielded what clues it contained: none.
Koontz, Dean (2007-06-28T23:58:59.000). The Face . Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
Most novels open with a human doing something. This opening has no human. We don’t know what time period this is taking place in. We have no idea what continent we are on. We could be on terraformed Mars for all we know. There are no indications of what time of the day it is. All we have is a freaky apple, described in great detail and it’s a great hook. What’s up with this apple? Why is there thread in it?
The same principle applies to the characters. Minor characters don’t get much description. It’s not needed.
Two men guarded the doors. They carried maces on their hips, and they looked like they would brain you with them if you glanced at them the wrong way.
We don’t need to know the color of their hair or what they are wearing. We just need to know that there are two burly armed dudes on the scene.
Recurring, important characters get a lot more page time, and they must have a memorable entrance. First impressions are vital and every detail is important. Since we are working on a memorable entrance right now, I thought it would be fun to show you my search tabs.
Search: snake leather boots.
Search: doublet black and gold.
Search: short beard styles.
Search: men types of hairstyles.
What do you think about this guy? Is he the villain or a friend of the hero?
As a reptile lover, snakeskin boots shout villain to me — perhaps a male version of Cruella de Vil. I’d have a terribly hard time taking such a character seriously as a hero, unless he’s some sort of exterminator of magically evil serpents…but with that beard? uh, just no…
Good guy with bad guy tendencies? IA is notorious for making what could be considered evil into semi-good or just misunderstood and vice versa. I totally get Edge or Maggie vibes whomever they are.
could go either way. could be a sly bad guy. otherwise more likely a good guy with that sharp jaw line. the guy playing eddy haskell became a cop.
i would base this entirely on which short hairstyle you picked. – like in my mind ( im a cis gendered straight black girl and damn near 40) I always defer to a classic fade. That feels like normal dude. once you start adding in chin straps and anything with mustaches, esp longer ones I start getting suspicious.
This guy? With the snakeskin boots, the chinstrap beard, and the doublet? He’s dangerous. Whether hero or villain, he is dangerous, and in my book with that facial hair, potentially devilishly good-looking. He’s a bad boy to the bone. It remains to be seen if that bad boy has an honorable sense of morals, or is a functional sociopath who gets what he wants by knowing how people tick. I am so here for more. Just a few thoughts as another humble member of the Book Devouring Horde.
If the guy has a man bun to go with that doublet and cute beard.. friend. He’s way too cute to be a villain in my book… though I do like the bad boys! hehe
My vote is for a morally grey sidekick. 😉
why am I screaming pirate when it’s more cowboy? but still, pirate! also my next fictional crush.
It’s giving younger Linus Duncan. So morally ambiguous potential ally?
snake leather boots and a chin strap beard? totally a bad guy/mid boss vibes.
Caesar cut ugh, villain, others are fine. He is too pretty to be the villain lol. And I’d wear the doublet! Or George! Big no to those boots, but I can’t stand to wear them, so I’m biased. And no to that doublet paired with those boots. Says no taste in clothes.
I suppose the apple description is a great hook for some, but I just went, huh, wth. It did not draw me in, tho very well written.
At first glance the outfit and boots, he appears a bit cocky and full of himself. Could be friend or foe depending on the situation. The beard makes me think he either thinks of himself as a bad ass or he is hiding his face. Can’t wait to hear him talk: trash talk, sarcasm, grandiosity, plain speaking (how interesting is the anticipation). That will be the true test of impressions.
I think that the boots don’t go with the doublet.
Villain. If he’s the hero’s friend, he’ll likely overshadow him unless the hero is really something.
Clean boots =villian.
Dirty worn boots = hero’s best friend.
Easy.
I think minor villain- chin strap beard — seems like a vanity beard. To me looks ridiculous… like you have an invisible helmet
Wow, who knew so many beard styles? I think the short tailored beard could either be bad guy or a hot good guy, it could go either way (to me.)
Snakeskin boots sound villainous to me.
Interesting friend of the hero wuth interesting connections in low places… I sense a country song coming on… lol
I’m going with hero woman in disguise.
The speculation in the comments are so fun to read!
Chaotic Neutral
With that beard he’s the villain. Or Michael Douglas because of the boots.
Hope you’re doing well.
Villain. I don’t like the beard. Pretentious. The rest is too flashy.
While reading your books I’ve had thoughts of the police ever read your browsing history they’d think you were a serial killer. Poison, knives, death.
With a chin strap beard he has to be the comic relief!
I’ve no opinion on the character. But re listening to Innkeeper and the amount of description of Gertrude Hunt certainly underlines she is a character on her own. Maybe we need a book from her POV.
Chin strap beard? By itself, I’d say weak villain, because most people look awful with them.
Friend with an accent