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Zacas
Learned Scribe
USA
261 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Feb 2003 : 23:24:46
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Is it just me... or are there a lot of male characters in many novels, described as having a 'hawkish' nose... i find it amusing how many times i've read that in many of the novels i have... and from what i picture... i can't see that many people having 'hawkish' noses... but then i picture them like a beak that curves down to a point like a hawk's beak...
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I am like a superhero, with no powers or motivation.
I have gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, please keep me here.
People like you are the reason people like me are on medication. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2003 : 09:34:44
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| Actually, as I understand it, a "hawkish" nose is one that is large, slopes down evenly, and the underside of which is parallel to the ground. Not pointy or upturned. My own father has one; much like that of a black-and-white British actor named Basil Rothburn (I think that was his name -- it's the guy who played Sherlock Holmes), or the classical profile of Julius Caesar. |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2003 : 15:43:08
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I know what you mean....
another of my favorites is "shadowy". Sure are a lot of "shadowy" folk around Faerun.... |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Mumadar Ibn Huzal
Master of Realmslore
1338 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2003 : 18:17:16
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There seems to be a shortage of descriptions sometimes, but I can understand that from my perspective as a DM. When trying to use not too many words in describing a person or a person's attributes, there is only so-much one can use to get the right feeling across.
When someone uses 'shadowy', it gives a certain feeling to the character described that almost everyone can identify with. Using a different term might not get the idea across that efficiently... yes describing more is an option, but as some of those with editorial experience can tell, slashing flowery speech is an easy way to get the word-count down.  |
Edited by - Mumadar Ibn Huzal on 10 Feb 2003 18:18:13 |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 10 Feb 2003 : 19:36:50
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quote:
Originally posted by Mumadar Ibn Huzal
. . . but as some of those with editorial experience can tell, slashing flowery speech is an easy way to get the word-count down.
Whereas we writers are hard to shut up.  |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2003 : 14:18:54
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| Indeed, however, the recurrance of cliches is getting a bit tiresome...terms like "shadowy" are thrown around like candy in the novels. I am also pretty tired of reading about "stuffy wizards", "aloof elves" and weapons that are "well-balanced". I think that a nice handy thesarus will solve the problem... |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 11 Feb 2003 : 19:49:42
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| Actually, sometimes a writer depends too MUCH on a thesaurus. It can be a trap, sometimes. But yes . . . in this case, some judicious use of other words would be helpful. Perhaps characters should be "mysterious" instead, and the elves more "indifferent," "remote," or "distant." As for mages, well! Lots of things you could call THEM, but even sticking with thesaurus entries, you get gems like "tedious," "tiresome," "pompous," and "self-important." (Hm, now those mages are sounding more like US politicians, aren't they?) |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Arion Elenim
Senior Scribe
933 Posts |
Posted - 12 Feb 2003 : 05:20:02
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Matter of fact, for a while there to mock the over-usage of the term "well-balanced", I always told my PCs that "the castle is well-balanced"..."you see a well-balanced female orc"....."the arrow hits you in your well-balanced kidney"....etc....
Ah...good times....good, well-balanced times.... |
My latest Realms-based short story, about a bard, a paladin of Lathander and the letter of the law, Debts Repaid. It takes place before the "shattering" and gives the bard Arion a last gasp before he plunges into the present.http://candlekeep.com/campaign/logs/log-debts.htm |
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lowtech
Learned Scribe
USA
315 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2003 : 18:16:02
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quote:
Originally posted by Bookwyrm
Actually, as I understand it, a "hawkish" nose is one that is large, slopes down evenly, and the underside of which is parallel to the ground. Not pointy or upturned. My own father has one; much like that of a black-and-white British actor named Basil Rothburn (I think that was his name -- it's the guy who played Sherlock Holmes), or the classical profile of Julius Caesar.
Really? I always pictured it as the large nosetype with a "bump" on the slope of the nose, like an eagle's beak. |
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Bookwyrm
Great Reader
USA
4740 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2003 : 19:46:49
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quote:
Originally posted by lowtech
Really? I always pictured it as the large nosetype with a "bump" on the slope of the nose, like an eagle's beak.
Umm . . . .
[Looks back through his papers]
Oops.  My fault entirely; I discribed the wrong one. (Classic "greek" instead of "hawk")
That's what I get for posting while half-asleep . . . |
Hell hath no fury like all of Candlekeep rising in defense of one of its own.
Download the brickfilm masterpiece by Leftfield Studios! See this page for more. |
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Zacas
Learned Scribe
USA
261 Posts |
Posted - 14 Feb 2003 : 22:42:28
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SEE! that's what i always thought... tho i was often picturing something that arced down more like the old-fashioned witch nose... that goes to a point... hehe :P
and i just can't imagine that many people having such a nose... as i don't see many people with such a nose IRL |
I am like a superhero, with no powers or motivation.
I have gone to find myself. If I get back before I return, please keep me here.
People like you are the reason people like me are on medication. |
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Descriptions of people in novels...
