Writing an aesthetically perfect woman

Isn't it amazing how the fact that somebody was banned for writing something in a forum really makes you want to know what they said? Curiosity killed the cat though...

I'll agree with some previous posts about going with minimal description and playing up the affect of her beauty on others. There are guys, and probably some ladies too, who would do very dumb/evil/offensive things for the sake of a beauty they felt was perfect and that could definitely lead to scars for the beautiful person. Since your premise is believable (insofar as she's either perfectly beautiful in a fantasy world or perfectly beautiful in the eyes of only some people in any world) I doubt you'll have an issue with cliche. Just don't make her pouty about it; make the scars deep.

Going all, "her face was the perfect representation of the Fibonacci sequence etc etc etc blah blah" (intended to be read aloud with a terrible impersonation of a haughty English person) would make me think she looks like the Mona Lisa and ... well, I'll say no more.

 

I think this is an interesting take on beauty that is grounded in reality. Beauty without the means to defend it is like anything highly sought after - it can be taken by the greedy and twisted, with traumatic results. Beauty without power can be a liability for the person involved, with the consequent scars as Trick mentions.

In my novel the characters when young are coveting the marvelous armour of one of their heroes. Their fighting instructor cautions them along the lines of "You like that pretty armour? Then you had better get good enough to wear it, for in battle it will draw enemies like flies to s*** and then you will be fighting doubly for your life".

 

I also like the idea of a slight imperfection, but would that fit into your world? Consider the difference between Hawthorne's "The Birthmark," which supposedly ruins an otherwise aesthetically perfect girl, and rug makers who intentionally flawed their rugs because perfection was for their god alone.

 

Heterochromia? That's a nice touch. Making her otherwise perfect but giving her that single flaw is a fascinating route to go.

 

My aunt has different colored eyes. So does David Bowie, but his are the result of a fight. So the question is: Is the imperfection natural or was it caused like a scar?

 

I have partial heterochromia in my left eye--both eyes are dark blue, but there's a gray-green streak in the left one. It's very subtle, and you'd only noticed it if I was in strong light and you were standing close to me. I believe I was born with it, but ever since I got socked in the eye a few years back, it's been a lot more prominent than it used to be.

 

Rather related. In my current WIP there's a woman with mismatched eyes, a scarred lip and slightly crooked smile. In one scene this dude, who's known to be something of a charming womaniser, tells her that she's beautiful. She's skeptical, naturally...

Perfection is boring, and no one wants to look at boring. Imperfection is interesting, and something can't be beautiful without being interesting. So for your story I would make this woman imperfect, give her flaws, make her a 'Lady Luna'.

 

I like it!

 

I've always found describing a character as attractive awkward.

It's easier (at least for me) to have characters think this or discuss it with other characters.

Perhaps the best way, therefore is is to show her attractiveness in the reactions of those around her - from their point of view. That way it's more personal and you can look at the different parts of her anatomy/mind/voice/personality etc. that appeal to different people. That way each character in the story will fixate on different elements of her beauty - and that can also apply to either sex.

 

I have a beautiful girl in my WIP, set in Victorian England. She has long, white blonde hair, pale blue eyes, a perfect complexion, and is tall and slim. The art teacher sees her in his studio and is immediately smitten. He thinks she is a goddess and wishes to paint her image. However, she is an evil spy who has been sent to kill the female MC. Even though the artist soon discovers she is up to no good, he forgives her because she is so beautiful.

I thought it would be interesting to show that beauty is only skin deep but can make fools of men.

 

As long as you don't make every man in the story immediately fall for the character, it might work. Otherwise you risk stereotyping men as shallow and only interested in a woman's looks.

 

Thanks Ireth,

Yes, well the reader knows in advance of her true nature and, of course, she destroys the artist and his prior relationship, thereby ruining his chance of happiness.

I'm considering whether to make her asexual or gay.

I remember reading recently that in different ages such as, say medieval times, it would be very unusual to come across someone who was beautiful.

 

Wait...Darn, mod editing now the replies to the person won't make sense. Guess I'll have to use my imagination to figure it out.

 

There And Back Again has said only two things on this forum.