Visualizing the characters

[Bellatrix]

I form a picture in my mind based on the author's description.

Thanks. I try to keep with that, "matching" the character with an actor.

In Ms. Daniels' novel, she describes Eve as blonde with violet eyes...and the cover art depicts Eve with black hair and brown eyes, lol.

When I was writing novels

Interesting. I'm curious. Feel free to write a private PM if you like. Don't worry, I won't "talk your leg off" or ask personal questions.

I would often use pictorials (like Miss November) from Playboy to inspire me to create and describe a character, as it was useful to have a variety of pictures and poses of the same attractive woman upon which to base a description.

I see. Whatever works for the reader and/or writer.

In Whistle for the Crows (Dorothy Eden) I'm visualizing Aunt Tilly as portrayed by Agnes Moorehead, mid-50s. Even though the description is rather different, lol. And Rory is Pierce Brosnan mid-30s.

Generally I visualize the heroine as beautiful, but approachable beautiful. More Lindsay Wagner/early 1970s good looks than Farrah Fawcett/mid-1970s.