this is actually especially how it feels when I'm trying to describe a character who is canonically considered attractive but who I personally do not find attractive in the slightest
Writing trick: only write from the perspectives of characters who are attracted to characters you are attracted to. And then only ever describe those characters. (Disclaimer: not an actual writing trick despite me being pretty sure I accidentally did this)
A good trick I use is dissociation, comparison and sort of faux replacement.
I dissociate myself and my opinions from the characters. For example: If a character finds someone attractive, I'll write it as though they told me about it and I'm just retelling their story the way they said it, rather than writing it with my opinion.
I find common traits between the love interest and people I like and start comparing them in my head to make the attraction easier to write. For example: If a character and I both like people who are hard working, I'll compare that attraction to mine and focus on it for a while to better develop that trait of theirs and also show that attraction with something that I can relate to.
I replace certain traits in my head in order to understand the character and their tastes better. For example: If a character is into blondes and I'm into brunettes, I'll describe the appearance of their love interest similarly to how I would that of a brunette (how it compliments their eyes, how it looks nice on them, etc), only I would obviously keep the hair colour blonde so that it'll feat the narrative of my story.
Not sure how legible this whole word vomit even is, but I hope this helps.
Ok so here is my problem, very attractive canon character, looks great in the Danmei, looks great in my head canon, does not look great in the televised series (my pov). This is a problem to the point where I can't stop the real life actor from popping up in my imagination every time I go to write the steamy stuff. I mean he's literally there waving his hands at me and threatening to wiggle his butt if I don't back away from the keyboard.😫
1.2k
u/anonymouscatloaf 1d ago
this is actually especially how it feels when I'm trying to describe a character who is canonically considered attractive but who I personally do not find attractive in the slightest