How can I describe a main character without having him see himself in the mirror? Is it necessary to describe?

If and how you do so is dependent on your

point of view. If you are staying in your

character’s point of view, your options are

not that limited if you are creative; but the

real challenge is to have the description

flow naturally rather than have your reader

instantly recognize “aha! this was put in here

so the character could describe himself.”

It’s not that unusual for a first person character

to describe his looks right away, almost like

a diary entry.

If your character is on the phone with someone,

perhaps a blind dating service, perhaps

someone he doesn’t know who is meeting him

at the airport or elsewhere, he can describe

himself. If he is in a social situation, another

character can say something aloud about

him. “Look at the tall guy with the orange

polkadot hair” or take him thru physical

activities which indicate elements of his

looks–On the way home from the optician…

(i.e. he wears glasses)…

IF you are staying in one point of view

and describing your main character,

there is no reason you have to only have

one element. In fact, you could have several

characters and several situations, and sprinkle

a detail here and there, so that you get a well-

rounded picture but one that is lightly drawn.

It isn’t unusual for the character who

thinks of himself as unattractive to be much

better looking than he thinks. Sometimes

it is vice versa. (Think of The Secret Diary

of Adrian Mole.)

The main character is very important and must be included in a descriptive mode, either by an observer, the writer’s viewpoint or thoughts by others. The reader has to have something to hang their interest on.

Spartawo…

The woman behind the counter counted help but admire his wavy black hair and rugged build…

The gang member knew he could take this scrawny coke-bottle glasses guy on..it would be easy..

something like that…

“You should wear an earring to go with your build and shaved head, you’d look just like Mr Clean”