How do you Imagine characters in novels

When I was younger, I used to imagine characters as people I knew dressed in funny clothing (since most of the books I read then were in fantasy settings). Nowadays, because of too much TV, cartoons and anime, I find myself imagining characters in the style of Japanese animation resembling the works of Hayao Miyazaki.

If the writer didn't write a description of the character, I would imagine them according to some stereotypes of that personality/ or career they do. I am not very imaginative, I know. heheheh. It's all pretty vague. Even if there was a description, I would mostly imagine the characters in a close-up manner. Also, I sometimes find myself reshaping the character of my imagination in the middle of the book, because of some hint the writer had written. If I was reading a romance, I would imagine a celebrity portraying that role. :D

this may sound odd but often times, the character writes itself. you start it and sometimes you have an idea for one thing and another idea just pops into your head.

Hiya CaptAlbertWhisker , how are you? Been awhile... It's easier to imagine celebrity faces in novels , especially crime ones. For me , at least. Like especially in slasher movies. Familiar faces like Ali Larter , Jessica Biel have been in my character focus while reading. Hero faces could range from Morgan Freeman , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Matt Damon and Bruce Willis. This especially works in investigative and war type of novels. As I've said to a friend before , watching movies is just like reading. Only one is watching , the other is reading. Good topic.

It is hard for me to get into a book unless it is descriptive. I like to get to know the characters and the places a little. I can see how imagining an actor would help with a non descriptive book.

I never imagine them as actors, because then I'd get them confused with the characters who the actors have played in the past. To be honest, I don't know if I'm just unobservant, but I don't imagine characters visually in any great detail. That's probably why I'm also so bad at drawing :)

I enjoy a book better when there is a good physical description of the characters. I like to know what they look like, whether they're tall, short, have physical flaws, certain quirks. The better the description, the better I'm able to invest in the character. I have read some really good books but couldn't become emotionally involved because I couldn't get a clear picture of the character. Also, I don't want to have to work when I'm reading. If I have to work at conjuring up this person, then the author hasn't done their job. Also, if they don't give a good description it's like I'm on the outside looking in, whereas if they do a good job with the characters, I'm right in there with them. Also, I like a good description of their surroundings. What the room looks like, what color and make car their in, stuff like that.

Yes i prefer to imagaine those super spy novels by TOm Clancy or Lundlum or other spy super spy hero heroine character going for adventure, sometime i also prefer those high tech military spy novels like Peterson and such.Can imagine those super high tech planes,submarines and such.Basically there have no faces but just they character as potrait by the novelist.

Hmm... I don't think I actually try to imagine what the characters look like unless there is a description in the book. Mostly what I have in mind are (vague) images of the action hahaha. =P (I don't actually have a very good imagination... . ) Now, if the book was already made into a movie or tv show or something like that, that's the time I start imagining the characters - that is, the actors. =P