Character Descriptions

Amie Kaufman On Writing

The way a character narrating a book—or even just a character whose point of view we share—is going to describe someone they see every day is going to be really different to the way they describe a newcomer. Let's break down some of techniques you can use to describe a familiar character in a way that serves the story and feel true to the person describing them.

If you're listening to this in real time, then tomorrow my new book, The Isles of the Gods, will be out. The Isles of the Gods is a fantasy novel set on the high seas, full of magic, romance, slumbering gods, gangsters’ dens and forgotten temples. It’s about a sailor girl who ends up saddled with an annoyingly handsome prince, who has to save him, if she wants to save the world.

If you’re listening on release (May 2, 2023), you have a couple of days left to claim the many preorder goodies on offer. If you’re going to read it, then make sure you lodge your receipt and get the goods as well.

You can find a transcript of this episode on my website. You can also sign up for my newsletter there, which is full of information about upcoming releases and events, and my other podcast, Pub Dates, which will take you behind the scenes on The Isles of the Gods.