One of my pet peeves as an editor was characters compared to celebrities…she was like ______…or…his muscles rivaled those of _____.
Why?
Most times, I didn’t have the same opinion of the celebrity the author did and their use of the “name” took me out of the story. It changed my view of their character and weakened it.
My mom and dad had vastly different opinions on Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren. Each thought the other was more beautiful or very plain. Song voices? Powerful, nope, screechy. Style? Boring versus too much.
It’s great for the writer to have an idea in their mind’s eye, but give your audience more. Describe and show the gravelly voice that soothed with confidence and calm. How it hinted at an underlying humour while the merriment danced in his eyes. Okay, that might be a bit over the top.
Plus, age difference. My teen daughter wonders how I can find Sam Elliott sexy as “he’s so old” according to her. Her age group…they’re puppies to me.
Add that she doesn’t even know who Sam Elliott is. Same as her puppies, who are these people?
Using Sam Elliott or Jeff Fahey as another example…both…uhm…chest hair, facial hair, wild hair…some don’t like that hair.
As talented as…you really think that person has talent? Or, is funny? Oops, your celebrity comparison just proved themselves to be ____ due to their recent comment caught on tape.
Your celebrity comparison can backfire on you. Besides, you are the best one to write your character. You know their attributes better than any comparison. Besides, you get to use your imagination more. You get to daydream and call it working.
And, we all know writing is the best working.