Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group discussion

Do you picture a certain man as the character, or do you rely on the author's description?

Good question! I am a very visual person, so I usually picture everything in my head. I usually picture a guy based on the author's description and then cast an actor afterwards. Sometimes, it really hits me that a specific actor could be that character.

Sydney wrote: "Do you picture a certain man as the character, or do you rely on the author's description?"

I go on the author's description. I like looking at other readers pics. But they don't factor when I am reading. I think I might be in the minority on this....

I start with the author's description but as the story progresses and I get to know the hero a different pic of him, often different that author's, develops in my mindseye.

For me, I think it depends on my mood. There is a character in some of Tami Hoag's books, who reminds me so much of Sam Waterston, that I have to picture him.

☼sunny☼ wrote: "I start with the author's description but as the story progresses and I get to know the hero a different pic of him, often different that author's, develops in my mindseye."

That happens to me too. Sometimes, I find my mind rejecting what the author's description is and coming up with my own.

I don't picture anyone specific really, though occasionally I can see the characters as real people and 'cast' them. But one thing I always do, and not on purpose, is the hero in my mind always ends up with dark hair, even if he's supposed to be fair. Guess it's just because I prefer dark-haired guys. And my general mind's image is always pretty much the same looking all the time regardless of how the hero is described :)

Steamywindows♥♫ wrote: "Sydney wrote: "Do you picture a certain man as the character, or do you rely on the author's description?"

I go on the author's description. I like looking at other readers pics. But they don't f..."

I started doing Power Points with actors for characters. Not so much because I always saw them that way. It was just a fun and visual way to remember the books in my head. Now I have pinboards on Pinterest where I do this.

I go by the author's description.

I tend to go with how the author describes him. =)
Only really start thinking about real people when there's a movie involved and start discussing with friends or GR posts on who I think would be a good choice :)

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Steamywindows♥♫ wrote: "Sydney wrote: "Do you picture a certain man as the character, or do you rely on the author's description?"

I go on the author's description. I like looking at other reader..."

Sweet and a great way to remember. Love Pinterest.

Kit★ wrote: "I don't picture anyone specific really, though occasionally I can see the characters as real people and 'cast' them. But one thing I always do, and not on purpose, is the hero in my mind always end..."

That is very interesting Kit....I can relate to what your saying...

Steamy, I am Totally addicted to Pinterest. I think I tend to think of actors a lot because I am a huge movie/tv buff as well as a bookaholic.

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Steamy, I am Totally addicted to Pinterest. I think I tend to think of actors a lot because I am a huge movie/tv buff as well as a bookaholic."

It is an amazing tool like an online scrapbook, no scissors required..

Exactly! I mean I had to work really hard to do this kind of thing before Pinterest!

Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Exactly! I mean I had to work really hard to do this kind of thing before Pinterest!"

And so shareable! OMG the amazing pics....and projects.

Yup! I feel like I stalk some people and constantly repin their stuff.

I use the author's description, and I try to find a male actor or model to help solidify the chracter for me.

Sometimes the cover makes me think of an actor (like Chris Hemsworth for Serpent's Kiss by Thea Harrison) and sometimes it is the author's description.

Other time, I just go with the default image I have in my head - tall, dark and handsome.

I don't normally have anyone specific in mind when I start reading but sometimes they morph onto someone as I read. I'm influenced at times by the TV. This can be bad if I'm trying to read in the same room with the TV on. If my daughter is watching Spongebob Squarepants for example, I'll find myself with spongebob stuck in my head as the hero. UGH!

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "I don't normally have anyone specific in mind when I start reading but sometimes they morph onto someone as I read. I'm influenced at times by the TV. This can be bad if I'm trying to read in the s..."

Oh dear! LOL shows how our environment can influence us eh?

Ashley wrote: "I use the author's description, and I try to find a male actor or model to help solidify the chracter for me."

Ashley and others: is this visual only or does ths apply to other elements like voice etc. just curious.

I just tried using a visual (aka pictures on Pinterest) because I couldn't imagine a ginger haired hero that appealed and wow was that cool! At least it helped me get thoughts of Horatio out of my head anyway.

LOL! Not as many drop dead gorgeous red-headed guys in the media, but I've found a few.

Have you really, Lady D? You must share! Because mmmhhhhmmm it's hard to find a red-headed hottie. One of my friends suggested Prince Harry, and nope, he won't do.

I always thought Damian Lewis was a good looking red head. Not sure about anyone else through. you're right there really aren't many in the media. too bad too. I love a red headed man. ;)

Pamela(AllHoney) wrote: "
Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Pamela on Pinterest
Source: mostlyredheads.tumblr.com via Pamela on Pinterest
"

Ooooo lovely Pam. Thanks so much.

I really dislike it when a book's cover features a photo of the characters. I like to visualize the characters myself based on the author's description and not be influenced by a picture.

Cherrie wrote: "I really dislike it when a book's cover features a photo of the characters. I like to visualize the characters myself based on the author's description and not be influenced by a picture."

It seems that the picture doesn't really match the author's description a fair amount of the time either. I remember one highly anticipated book, where the MC had been quite specifically described in previous books. When the cover was released, I wondered if the author had changed the MC because his hair was short and straight and light instead of dark and curly and longer.
I don't know if this is an issue for anyone else, but it kinda bugs me a bit. I hold the publisher up for this, not the author though.

I don't "cast" anyone in the role. I go based on the author's description and "tweak" it to fit my likes/dislikes. For example, I don't like hairy chests. Anytime an authors puts hair on the chest, I shave it off!

I also use their personality to add to the description and make it work for me.

Steamywindows♥♫ wrote: "Cherrie wrote: "I really dislike it when a book's cover features a photo of the characters. I like to visualize the characters myself based on the author's description and not be influenced by a pi..."

This drives me crazy when the covers doesn't match the MC description at all!

Kevin McKidd

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Cole Hauser

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Tony Curran isn't real handsome, but I think he's kinda cute.

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I don't know who this guy is, but I picture him as Blaylock from the BDB series:

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And these guys are cute:

Bartek Borowiec

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I don't know who this guy is:

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Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Kevin McKidd



Cole Hauser



Tony Curran isn't real handsome, but I think he's kinda cute.

"

Ooooo thanks Lady Danielle. Some good lookin' red heads there.

How about Damien Lewis


or Michael Fassebender


or Eddie Redmayne

As far as the actual question for this thread I usually just go with the author's description although if I have seen the movie that was based on the book first I tend to see the actors from the movie in those roles. Like I saw the hunger games movie before I read the book so when I finally read the series I saw those actors as their roles in my head.

Steamywindows♥♫ wrote: "Sydney wrote: "Do you picture a certain man as the character, or do you rely on the author's description?"

I go on the author's description. I like looking at other readers pics. But they don't f..."

Im the same. I dont let film or TV stars even enter my mind when I read, its always the authors description. The second somebody has been cast in a film from a book it ruins that book for me as thats all I picture. I cant read the Harry Potter books again.....even though I enjoyed the films it kinda ruins it. Not sure I want Christian Grey to be cast.

Love the pics, Jessica. I forget that Fassy is a Redhead.

Tom Hiddleston is a ginger

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Lady Danielle aka The Book Huntress wrote: "Love the pics, Jessica. I forget that Fassy is a Redhead.

Tom Hiddleston is a ginger

"
Yay! Tom! Lots of sexy gingers.

I NEVER picture a celeb. I didn't know people did that until some years back.

I rely on the author's description and my own imagination takes over.