PHYSICAL FEATURE THESAURUS

OVERWEIGHT BUILD



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HELPFUL TIP:

Physical features should do more than simply describe how a character looks. Just like their occupation or area of giftedness, a character's appearance can say a great deal about them. Hinting at traits through clothing choices, alluding to an emotional state through movements, and highlighting certain details for comparison or contrast purposes can help readers form opinions on who the character really is.
DESCRIPTORS AND KEY ELEMENTS:
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SIMILE AND METAPHOR EXAMPLES:
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CLICHÉS TO AVOID:
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TWISTING THE STEREOTYPE:
  • Use the person's own self-perception of their size by shifting description to something else that highlights it (as done in the metaphor example above).
  • There's so much societal pressure in our world to avoid being overweight. What about a story set in a world or period of time where girth is valued over thinness?
  • Overweight characters are usually cast as the target for bullies. What about switching it up and making this character the bad guy?
  • To take it even further, overweight people play every role in real life and they should do so in stories, too—wise mentor, love interest, popular kid, or the hero himself.

PEOPLE LIKELY TO HAVE THIS BUILD:
Some athletes (offensive linemen, sumo wrestlers)
Those suffering from certain medical conditions (diabetes, hypothyroidism, depression, etc.)
Sedentary people

FAMOUS EXAMPLES:
Santa Claus
Chris Farley
Kirstie Alley
Rebel Wilson
John Candy

OTHER THOUGHTS ON THIS BODY TYPE:
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