Introduce Non-human Characters

[Shay]

How is the best way to introduce non-human characters, aliens? How does one balance out the description? And how early do you need to make it obvious that they aren't just like humans?

[Magus]

I have something similar with my current work in progress. The protagonist isn't human, but the reader doesn't realize that for a while. I just described them as I would any other character and dropped a few clues regarding his true origins.

But, really, you should make it know however it needs to be made known. Is it a mystery? Do they have a disguise? Do they appear human-enough to not need a disguise? Are they with others or alone? Is it known from the beginning that they're another species?

All these factors will determine when they should be revealed. If it's a mystery I'd suggest holding off telling for a while and try to cleverly place some clues in the text. If it's known from the beginning then just describe them normally. If they're disguised then how good of a disguise is it? What does it look like? Does it appear realistic? If they're alone then you can hold off their description if you want, if in a group you might even be able to do the same thing.

Give a little bit more information and I can give better suggestions. I hope that what I've said has been of help though. And good luck!

[Shay]

Thank you Magus. I now have some questions to answer. I really didn't know how to ask, so . . .

Is it a mystery?
It's not a mystery, this second species and humans co-exist, though there is some misunderstanding and lack of trust between them.

Do they have a disguise? Do they appear human-enough to not need a disguise?
They look very much like humans. It's not so much physical appearance, as how to help the reader understand their powers, customs, and place in society, etc.

Are they with others or alone?
With others.

Is it known from the beginning that they're another species?
Yes.

Is this helping?

[aldan]

Some authors, I've noted, tend to go right into the character interactions without much in the way of character description. I'm guessing that they want the reader to give the characters the faces they choose, not the ones the author chooses. *shrugs* Not my way of doing things, but if it works for them... I still probably won't do it. What I do instead, and what most of the authors do that I enjoy reading is they will start with the main character (MC) alone, approaching the first bit of interaction, without giving much background. As the character goes along, the author gives some descriptions of the character as if others are seeing that person as they pass by or whatever. Nothing really detailed is given, but instead just the things most noticeable to the eye. For example, David Eddings, in The Diamond Throne, has the MC Sparhawk, a large, lean man, riding into town on a shaggy roan horse. It's dark and raining, and he just gets in the gate before it's shut for the night (if I remember right). The first person he speaks to is the guard, which gives you some minor interaction without much detail given about story or background, but it does give the author the opportunity to describe the way he speaks, both accent as well as formality, and it also shows him up close, still rather dark, but up close where the guard could see and recognize him. Sparhawk gives the guard, who was helpful to him, a coin to use after his shift to get something to drink to 'warm up' from the rain. This gives a bit more of a personality description without just going out and saying it. After one or two more quick interactions on the way to his intended destination, you end up getting the picture of him being older, rather worn, scarred, but not overly, lean but very muscular, with short dark hair and a very stern appearance. Very military and serious. As I'd said, he was rather taller than average. He'd been wearing a cloak to cover his chainmail armor and the tabard that he was wearing, as well as his sword, which you'd see glimpses of when the encounters occurred. It was the reactions of the other people who saw it that gave the description of just what that stuff meant, though. The tabard's colors showed that he was a 'Pandion Knight', one of the four orders of Church soldiers that were the elites of the elite as far as soldiering meant, to the commoners, anyway. They were considered to be like paladins, pure of heart and incorruptible, with skills not only with weapons, but also with 'magic'. Sparhawk was also more than that. He was the Queen's Champion, which was something that the gate soldier mentioned to his co-guard as an aside. Most of the descriptions were done in conversations between people who saw him going by. I liked how he did that, because it was really 'telling' a story instead of trying to 'show' the story, and worked very well, IMO. Give it a read, if you have a chance.

Now, please note that he IS human, but the way Mr. Eddings used to describe him could easily be used to describe the "other race" or alien or whatever.

[Magus]

they will start with the main character (MC) alone, approaching the first bit of interaction, without giving much background.

That's exactly how I introduce my main character in my WIP. Only everyone's asleep when he comes, so as he walks along I describe him. But, besides that, exactly the same.

[Shay]

Thanks aldan. I'll give the book a read. It sounds interesting.

So, what point of view is this in? I usually write in limited third, so I would have to be in the temporary character's POV for that to work, right?

[Magus]

Yeah, pretty much. Limited focuses on as single character, omniscient focuses on multiple. Limited tends to give a more intimate feel to your work and allows for greater emotional attachment. Omniscient allows for a much broader range and shows more than limited, but risks alienating your character from your reader. I choose Limited third that switches off between sections of chapters with different characters. But whichever works best for your and your work should be used. In Grendel and The War of the Worlds John Gardner and H.G. Wells both chose first person. Tolkien used Omniscient Third person in all of his works. And all choose your own adventure books are written in Second Person. Just choose that which works best for you.

[Shay]

Thanks guys. This has helped me finally get an intro I like. Okay, how do you guys introduce multiple characters at once? I usually use a conversation and introduce them when they say something. What are some other ways?

[Magus]

You could go over their physical descriptions one at a time, or show what they're doing. You could describe the group initially and then go into more detail as you progress. You can describe the group but then go off into different directions and go at each one at a time. Either what you do or the first one I suggested will probably work best in most situations, and I have done both before. But, again, do what the situation demands.

[Shay]

Thanks.

Magus, what are you currently working on?

[Magus]

I'm currently working on a fantasy novel entitled The Wayfarer. It's coming alone steadily and I should finish the roughest draft long before New Year. By the time the whole this is finished, and gone through a revision or two, it should be between 70,000 and 90,000 words; not too long (especially for fantasy) but a respectable amount.

[Shay]

Sound good. I didn't see anything in short stories. You not going to post any? Only asking because I remember reading a description somewhere on here and it sounded interesting.