For me, the preference is definitely to build the characters in my own mind's eye as I read. It may not be as detailed and certainly may not match the author's vision, but that's how I roll. I'm certain there are exceptions which I do not recall, but I'm drawing that line in the sand (interesting that one draws a line in the sand, a line which even the smallest of children can change). And yes, I still read a book with detailed character images on the cover, but I don't "use" them when I read!
As to status of "The Storm Drain Chronicles: Enter the Storm Drain", I'm waiting for review notes from my Alpha reader on Part I (Prologue, several "mini chapters" and chapters 1-5) and working on revising Part II, still focusing on trimming the fat.
Onward, ever onward.
Frank
I'm horribly un-visual when I read a book. I rarely have anything more than a vague idea of what a person looks like when I read, whether or not there's a picture on the front. I just don't pay much attention because I don't particularly care (this turns out to be very problematic for me when creating characters because I tend to forget/not care what they look like). Now, when a movie has been made and then I read the book--then I do tend to envision the movie character as I read.
ReplyDeleteInteresting Jeanna!
ReplyDeleteI would be inclined to agree with you. Maybe it's okay for things like romance novels, but I don't read those. I like more cryptic art that perhaps depicts settings or shadowy figures and the like. I want a mystery that will intrigue me and make me want to read what's in the book without too many expectations.
ReplyDeleteLee
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Arlee, I agree with you on "cryptic art"! I'm not saying no characters on the cover, I just tend to prefer to fill in the details myself.
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