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I see, basically, two scenarios how your MC's dark complexion can be relevant and require special description. Your MC skin tone is darker than the average, to the point that it might influence t...
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#3: Attribution notice added
by
System
·
2019-12-08T10:52:03Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/42149 License name: CC BY-SA 3.0 License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision
by
Alexander
·
2019-12-08T10:52:03Z (almost 5 years ago)
I see, basically, two scenarios how your MC's dark complexion can be relevant and require special description. - Your MC skin tone is darker than the average, to the point that it might influence the plot; - Everyone's skin tone is darker than European white, and you want to convey that fact to the reader; In first case, you can play on contrast between your character's skin tone and the others', invoking adjectives like "dusky" or "swarthy". In second case, you make a brief mention of people's skin color here and there, again playing on contrast with some objects, like white fabric on one's dress. Use of "tanned" can definitely be avoided. I am wondering what metaphors and similes people of "non-white" cultures are using in their languages to describe dark complexion. In English, "brown" sounds too generic, while "dusky" or "swarthy" seem to have some negative connotations.
#1: Imported from external source
by
System
·
2019-02-11T18:41:08Z (over 5 years ago)
Original score: 3