I've mentioned several times how much I love Angela over at the Bookshelf Muse. Her Emotions Thesaurus has helped me through some tough times of transforming telling scenes to more showing ones. Even if I don't use one of her descriptions, they often trigger my own thoughts until I find what I'm looking for.
Do you know of any places that have a facial feature thesaurus? I've been thinking about starting one. As a community of writers, we can get together and help each other figure out how to describe a photo gallery of faces.
What do you think?
Do you really know what an aquiline nose is?
Grecian profile?
Horse faced? Ok, that last one is pretty obvious when you see it. ;)
But what does a button nose look like as opposed to a tipped up nose?
Strong jaw line and cheek bones are easy, but what other phrases do you wonder about?
I've started collecting photos for this exercise. I think I'll post the first one on Monday. See you then!
Interesting idea. And I think of a button nose as compact and tiny.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea. I'm looking for to your pictures. :)
ReplyDeleteI want to know what "lantern-jawed" is.
ReplyDeleteGrecian profile means classic, like Greek sculptures.
ReplyDeleteI try to stay away from descriptions like that myself. They skirt dangerously close to being cliches.
Jai
Knowing what every facial tick means, in theory, is a difficult line to walk. I studied non-verbal communication and use micro-expression detail when I am writing - me and Cal Lightman could identify the meaning of every twitch. I am less sure Literary Agents are as impressed.
ReplyDeleteOh, great idea! Can't wait to see the pictures :D Great post!
ReplyDelete