Since Kaveh Is The One Taking The Picture... Does That Mean That Alhaitham Deliberately Left Some Space

Since Kaveh Is The One Taking The Picture... Does That Mean That Alhaitham Deliberately Left Some Space

Since Kaveh is the one taking the picture... does that mean that Alhaitham deliberately left some space empty next to him so Kaveh would sit there??

Since Kaveh Is The One Taking The Picture... Does That Mean That Alhaitham Deliberately Left Some Space

The most logical, and fastest, solution would be to have Kaveh sit at the end of the row, but he isn't. (Also we are absolutely going to think about how he is leaning into Alhaitham)

More Posts from Outdatedsymphony and Others

6 months ago

Hello,

How are you? I am Anas from Gaza. Due to the terrible situation, war, bombings, and the dire living conditions, could you please help us by donating through the GoFundMe link, even if it's just a small amount? And if you can't, could you please share the link?😔😣💔

GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/restoring-hope-for-my-family-and-gazas-struggling-communit

.


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3 months ago

World Building Checklist

Have you ever started writing a story and realized your world has a bunch of unexplained shit and you have to fill in the gaps as you go? Me too, buddy. Me too. Here’s a checklist so that you can fully flesh out your world to the max. (I’m dying)

How does Time work? (Minutes, hours, days, the daylight cycle, years, ect.)

Species (if Fantasy. Will probably make another post on this.)

Countries, Nations, Tribes, ect. (nationalities/ races. Will probably make another post on this.)

The geography of the world (draw a map. Doesnt have to be good. Just for a general idea.)

Rivalries between races (includes prejudice, racism, ect.)

Religions

Technology

The Magic system. (Will probably make a whole other post on this.)

animals, plants, ect.

The sky: Sun, Moon(s), Stars, Constellation, Are there rings? (If the planet has rings)

Educations system

Government system

Politics

Methods of transport (Vehicles)

Medicine

Can’t really think of anything else. If you have more to add then reblog and add to the list! :) bye bee

5 months ago

Urgent ‼️ essential 🙏‼️🇵🇸💔

It’s so important to take a look please 😔🙏🙏

Hello my friends I’m Huda from Gaza, a woman trying to save her first baby and trying to protect him by all means😔 I have made two previous campaigns and I have been facing so many problems in both of them so A friend of mind made me a new link to help me get needed help and donations 😔💔

I have been vetted previously by @dlxxv-vetted-donations in tumblr and @molly shah on blue sky and @barbara on X. Here are screenshots for the vetting and verification

I hope you could help me and vet my campaign again plz @dlxxv-vetted-donations @90-ghost @gazavetters 🙏😔🙏

Please share, and donate as much as possible my friends to save my baby from death and help me buy my baby basic needs please 💔😔🙏🇵🇸‼️

Here is the new link:

https://gofund.me/cd14d440

Urgent ‼️ Essential 🙏‼️🇵🇸💔
Urgent ‼️ Essential 🙏‼️🇵🇸💔

@fllagellant @jjjammerson @verycolourfulflipflops @genericminecraftpotato @probablynotaskeleton @sh4rkh4ts @bonicedemandarina @radical-l0ver @weareweirdpeople @ash-the-bee @ettaberrytea @cryptdmoth @cthulusposts @eastgaysian @uhhh-i-dont-know @charc-arts @hexblooddruid @strawbebbyboba @strawberridrops @rawdvd

@rinthesecond @brookepagebe @kixflip @1p0lly1 @morihaus @rattlesnake-acrobatics @thatonebored-juniorcolleague @my-multi-fandom-blog @slyfire @constellationriver @moonfox-mumbles @mauvethecolor @banananerdworld @l3mon-boy @sliipppy @stargazinglesbian @transguyhawkeye @i-am-the-half-dead-soul-l @futuristicchaospoetry @antigxnee

@exactlydangerousdragon @charcoalsoup69 @0luna123 @th3ch1psste4ler @lavenderlovers-stuff @thegardener-and-theaupair @luminouslateralup @zzzubie @crisostomo @uhoh-but-yeah-alright @preemptivemolars @gayruledge @danyayeni2 @agentmoss @solitudecasesolace @demonpikmin @capybara-platypus @ambreeskyewriting @q8p @death-cannot-kill-you

@all-purpose-utility-nerd @free0101 @slendyverseargcollections @neonfruitbowl @momfriend2800 @luvmoonie @womenbehotfr @seventhefurbfather @c0-j-c0 @ignore-this0 @space-ace-books @olivedacat @exhausted-asterism @iphigenia-wailing @enderenby404 @implalazz @lunar-eclipse-bunnies @microwavesex @a-court-of-valkyries @thegoodwitchluz-uea

@diagnosedhorsegirl @bebbls-craft-blog @the-acid-pear @moviequotes23 @nickbluehour @number1ludicolofan @inkslingerr @madspades @decadentmuffindreamscissors @taptrial2 @virovac @blue-jacket-blues @tacit-semantics @timeless-orchid @cinnarainbow @aziraphaleapologist @harley-angel @swapauanon @yakiattaki @piratefry

@pegglefan69 @writing-is-a-martial-art @ohmerricat @mildmayfoxe @sunnyartistwriter @moonrisemoonchild @senlinstudies @birdmenmanga @rabbithaver @jolyne-best-jojo @just-a-mod @officialgleamstar @ehjane @cosmicsymbols @treeen @spunkfunkyzzz @fairedoll @trashrunes @skiddlecat @tim-the-rat

@whatyouvegotunderyourskirt @kurtle @rabidkermit @splend-42 @dustywarbler @400terahertz @poltiddies @yourlocaleccentricscientist @honeybeeffdrawshere @jayskai @astronnonyy @artsyrosie @halfmoonism @whisper-valley @loonfromq @here-sean-once-was @waiting-on-mars @bandtrees @mpregwizard @goosecorp

@grapejuicedragoon @chloefrazer @hauntedcloudtheorist @sanaimissyou @zigcarnivorous @silver1012345 @ebenrosetaylor @promiscuousasexual @lord-of-the-froggies @duovxq @dapokemonmadster @saffronbaklava @labutansa @dqrknight @spaceswordblaster @importantt-reblogs @e-102 @moonssugar @toughknit @bisexualpositivity

@garbagevarmint @katealot @littleredhatter @totally-correct-cr-quotes @petra-creat0r @kaxtwenty @temperedxanthippe @aligaytorsoup @sleeppatrol @lady-of-bath @cockworkangels @theredfields @craftykittyscientist @dustoftheancients @thatsonehellofabird @phoenix-awan @comrademango @neogotchi @the-butter-churner @sketching-shark

@godspersonalclown @elyserie @glassoddity @the-ballerina-battle @antixabound @mydearalandro @batricity @floof-ghostie @taffywabbit @official-ducktown @cathyac @rosengine @deadauthorssociety @thecrimeofmans-laughter @vampthropologist @good-old-gossip @inkatesbush @fishfingersandscarves @shoutyourporpoise @cuntbrow

@pikslasrce @thetrickyjokester @claudia-lioncourt @dimplesandfierceeyes @mortalityplays @cetitan @mar64ds @labutansa @truefrostedagony @deadly-vuu @that-faerie-in-the-corner @amiya-shirou @emmanuor @farsight-the-char @colorfulatlas @laxsland @lepardlover @bismoaking @homunculusalphonse @zone0neko

@galactic-mermaid @cosmic-horrors-in-forests @rubiter20 @swordofazrael1992 @lowcallyfruity @uwabbittuwabbit @labutansa @dilfzuku @pelorsdyke @reyesstrand @luvqwish @sherbetp0p @starlightsugar @fr0ge @whatislovevavy @timeless-orchid @magentasky234 @swapauanon @yakiattaki @pegglefan69

@writing-is-a-martial-art @bug-s0da @ohmerricat @mildmayfoxe @sunnyartistwriter @rabbithaver @madeline-kahn @unabashedmagicalgirlfan @averagenotnormal @emathyst9 @pet-shop-of-horror-fan @reyesstrand @rainy-fog @thefakehedgehogaroundhere @discreative @antixabound @liamins @thenextglamourousbard @jolyne-best-jojo @officialgleamstar

@cosmicsymbols @spunkfunkyzzz @fairedoll @tomboyjessie13 @citrusfruitman @baldwin-10-12-d @kirbytripledeluxe @just-a-queer-fanboy @quellstak @whatyouvegotunderyourskirt @xinakwans @leotanaka @andva-ri @mima-sama @galax-dragon @hauntedcloudtheorist @50c14lly4nx10u5 @saffronbaklava @thespacegardener @cows-quack @heydreamchild @temperedxanthippe

6 months ago

The people who police your gender will police your gender even if you're cis.

Eat them.

2 months ago

not to be an asshole but i think a lot of disability discourse on this website cannot comprehend the idea of being physically disabled in a way which is like. not at all negotiable or flexible. like i think it's great that we're pushing people to understand that disability is nuanced and that there are disabilities which are not visible forms of physical disability but also like. sometimes you straight up cannot climb stairs. no not even on a good day not even when you "have enough spoons" it is just not physically possible. or you cannot get on and off a bus without struggling or without help. or it is physically not possible for you to bathe yourself. and it's not about "and you force yourself to push through it because of the internalized ableism" because you literally cannot physically fucking do it. like i am not trying to be mean but i feel like it frequently strikes me that people talking about disability seemingly do not understand the concept of I Literally Cannot Do This No Matter How Much I Want To Or Try Like It Is Physically Not Possible

3 months ago

Small fantasy worldbuilding elements you might want to think about:

A currency that isn’t gold-standard/having gold be as valuable as tin

A currency that runs entirely on a perishable resource, like cocoa beans

A clock that isn’t 24-hours

More or less than four seasons/seasons other than the ones we know

Fantastical weather patterns like irregular cloud formations, iridescent rain

Multiple moons/no moon

Planetary rings

A northern lights effect, but near the equator

Roads that aren’t brown or grey/black, like San Juan’s blue bricks

Jewelry beyond precious gems and metals

Marriage signifiers other than wedding bands

The husband taking the wife's name / newlyweds inventing a new surname upon marriage

No concept of virginity or bastardry

More than 2 genders/no concept of gender

Monotheism, but not creationism

Gods that don’t look like people

Domesticated pets that aren’t re-skinned dogs and cats

Some normalized supernatural element that has nothing to do with the plot

Magical communication that isn’t Fantasy Zoom

“Books” that aren’t bound or scrolls

A nonverbal means of communicating, like sign language

A race of people who are obligate carnivores/ vegetarians/ vegans/ pescatarians (not religious, biological imperative)

I’ve done about half of these myself in one WIP or another and a little detail here or there goes a long way in reminding the audience that this isn’t Kansas anymore.

5 months ago

A post for people who struggle with dental care <3

*made by somebody who also struggles with dental care

A few things to preface:

I am not a dentist! If you have any concerns about your oral health please reach out to a dentist or doctor!

You aren’t gross or bad for having trouble with dental care- it can be really difficult! Oral health (or any health) is not a moral indicator.

People have different opinions about fluoride- I’m of the opinion that fluoride is beneficial/necessary so this post will be made with that in mind. (I’ve linked a source below)

I am not affiliated with any companies, any brands I mention or link are simply the ones I use or have found online (:

Okay now to recommendations! (:

Mouth wash

I find that alcohol-free mouth wash is a way better sensory experience for me and has honestly been a huge game changer! If this is you too, look for products that say “alcohol-free” and check that they that still have fluoride! (:

Many people find mint to be unbearable! If that’s the case, don’t feel bad about trying other flavours, even if those are flavours marketed towards kids.

If you’re unsure of which flavour you might like, I sometimes see small travel sized mouth washes at drug stores, so if you wanted to try one out before committing to spending more money those could be a good option!

I use: Listerine brand antiseptic alcohol free mouth wash. I personally really like there green tea flavour, but they have other flavours as well. (I’ve linked the one I use below)

Tooth brushes

Electric tooth brushes can be very useful for people who may struggle with finding the effort and motivation to brush their teeth, and/or people who may struggle with dexterity, mobility, or doing a thorough brushing for any reason.

Some people might find the vibrations and noise of electric toothbrushes to be too overstimulating.

Electric toothbrushes also tend to have a larger handle which can help people who may need large handles to be able to hold things! You can also find some large handle-hand held toothbrushes online. Large handle toothbrushes might be marketed towards elderly people. (I’ve linked one below)

Whether an electric or handheld toothbrush is best for you, one thing that might be helpful to look for is soft bristles.

Soft bristles are useful to people who have sensitive gums! Sensitive gums may be caused by different health conditions and they are also common with people who haven’t brushed their teeth in a long time. In anecdotal experience, most autistic people I know (including myself) have sensitive gums. Soft bristled brushes may be marketed towards children and/or elderly. If you think they might help, please don’t let that stop you from trying them out!

(You know all those jokes about bleeding gums? Gum sensitivity can seriously deter people from brushing, you aren’t being “too sensitive” and you aren’t alone! There are alternatives)

ďżźI use: handheld Oral B brand soft bristled brush and Oral B brand sensitive gum care electric toothbrush. (Oral B website Linked below, you can also find these on Amazon).

Toothpaste

Mint can be an overwhelming flavour for many people (myself included). Sometimes, mild-non mint flavours will be marketed towards children. Just double check to make sure your toothpaste has fluoride as toothpastes for very young kids often won’t contain fluoride.

Foamy toothpaste can also be overwhelming! If this is the case for you, look for gel toothpastes.

Similar to mouthwash, you can try to find travel size toothpastes to see which flavours work for you!

I use: brand hismile toothpaste. (Linked below) It is a gel toothpaste with really nice flavours! I’ve tried mango and coconut and I like them both. This has been a big game changer for me in terms of motivation for brushing my teeth and I find I’m able to brush them for the whole 2 minutes! (:

What to do when mouthwash and brushing teeth just isn’t feasible

If you absolutely can’t brush your teeth or use mouthwash, I saw a dentist on tik tok recommend simply swishing with water! This can help get rid of things stuck in your teeth and help prevent build up. A lot of people have an ‘all or nothing’ mentality when it comes to dental care, but remember that even a ‘small’ action taken is still an action taken!

Advice on following a schedule

Being autistic, I can sometimes get really caught up in following ‘rules’ I was taught as a kid. One of those rules is to brush your teeth once in the morning before breakfast and once before bed after dinner. Having trouble with brushing teeth due to both mental and physical health issues while also trying to follow this rule meant that there were often times that I couldn’t brush my teeth at the times I was ‘supposed to’ but I also actively did not brush my teeth when it wasn’t those times, even when I could.

For some people, following a strict schedule might be really useful or necessary! If this is you, it might be useful to set an alarm on your phone to remind you and help get you into the habit of doing it at the same time every day.

For other people (like me) you might find it useful to make a habit of brushing your teeth when you remember and when you’re able to do so rather than adhering to a strict schedule. Even if that’s mid day, or midnight, even if it’s right before you eat. (:

You might also find it helpful to task-stack. For instance if you shower every day in the morning, it might be easier to brush your teeth every time you shower. Likewise, if you take medication every day, it might be helpful to brush your teeth when you take medication. For some people It can be easier to add to an already existing habit than to create a whole new one.

Whether you follow a schedule or not, you might also find it useful to have a chart to check off once you’ve brushed your teeth! These might be marketed towards children. (I’ve linked one below) Theres nothing wrong with having “childish” charts if they help you! If that’s not your vibe, you can also find some simple designs in the form of dry erase boards. (I’ve linked one below as well).

*last notes: please let me know if using the #/cripplepunk isn’t appropriate and I will remove it from the post!

Feel free to add onto this post with further advice or products that help you! (:

Links:

Why fluoride is important:

Green tea flavour alcohol free mouthwash:

Green Tea Zero Antiseptic Mouthwash | LISTERINEÂŽ
LISTERINEÂŽ Antiseptic Mouthwash, Rinse & Oral Care Products
Do you find rinsing a little too intense? Introducing LISTERINEÂŽ Green Tea Zero. This mouthwash contains essential oils and green tea extrac

And other flavours of alcohol free mouthwash:

amazon.com
Amazon.com : Listerine Ultraclean Zero Alcohol Tartar Control Mouthwash, Oral Rinse to Help Fight Bad Breath and Tartar, for Cleaner, Natura

Large handle toothbrush:

amazon.com
Amazon.com : RADIUS Flex Brush with Soft Bristles Toothbrush BPA Free & ADA Accepted Designed to Improve Gum Health & Reduce Issues - Right

Oral B website:

Oral-B | Electric Toothbrushes & Oral Care Products
oralb.ca
Explore Oral-B's electric, manual and battery toothbrushes. Read important information on how to maintain good oral hygiene and a healthy sm

Hismile website:

Hismile Canada
The global leader in oral care, Hismile, creates a range of products suited to every oral care concern, including the viral purple V34 Colou

Charts:

amazon.com
Amazon.com : Magnetic Chore Chart for Adults & Kids Dry Erase Calendar for Refrigerator or for Wall - Weekly Whiteboard Planner Timetable to
amazon.com
Amazon.com: Kenson Kids I Can Do It! Brush My Teeth Reward Chart KPSOH3000 toothbrushing chart, oral hygine, star chart for kids 5x11.5 inch

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2 days ago

Words for Skin Tone | How to Describe Skin Color

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We discussed the issues describing People of Color by means of food in Part I of this guide, which brought rise to even more questions, mostly along the lines of “So, if food’s not an option, what can I use?” Well, I was just getting to that!

This final portion focuses on describing skin tone, with photo and passage examples provided throughout. I hope to cover everything from the use of straight-forward description to the more creatively-inclined, keeping in mind the questions we’ve received on this topic.

Standard Description

Basic Colors

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Pictured above: Black, Brown, Beige, White, Pink.

“She had brown skin.”

This is a perfectly fine description that, while not providing the most detail, works well and will never become clichĂŠ.

Describing characters’ skin as simply brown or beige works on its own, though it’s not particularly telling just from the range in brown alone.

Complex Colors

These are more rarely used words that actually “mean” their color. Some of these have multiple meanings, so you’ll want to look into those to determine what other associations a word might have.

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Pictured above: Umber, Sepia, Ochre, Russet, Terra-cotta, Gold, Tawny, Taupe, Khaki, Fawn.

Complex colors work well alone, though often pair well with a basic color in regards to narrowing down shade/tone.

For example: Golden brown, russet brown, tawny beige…

As some of these are on the “rare” side, sliding in a definition of the word within the sentence itself may help readers who are unfamiliar with the term visualize the color without seeking a dictionary.

“He was tall and slim, his skin a russet, reddish-brown.”

Comparisons to familiar colors or visuals are also helpful:

“His skin was an ochre color, much like the mellow-brown light that bathed the forest.”

Modifiers

Modifiers, often adjectives, make partial changes to a word.The following words are descriptors in reference to skin tone.

Dark - Deep - Rich - Cool

Warm - Medium - Tan

Fair - Light - Pale

Rich Black, Dark brown, Warm beige, Pale pink…

If you’re looking to get more specific than “brown,” modifiers narrow down shade further.

Keep in mind that these modifiers are not exactly colors.

As an already brown-skinned person, I get tan from a lot of sun and resultingly become a darker, deeper brown. I turn a pale, more yellow-brown in the winter.

While best used in combination with a color, I suppose words like “tan” “fair” and “light” do work alone; just note that tan is less likely to be taken for “naturally tan” and much more likely a tanned White person.

Calling someone “dark” as description on its own is offensive to some and also ambiguous. (See: Describing Skin as Dark)

Undertones

Undertones are the colors beneath the skin, seeing as skin isn’t just one even color but has more subdued tones within the dominating palette.

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pictured above: warm / earth undertones: yellow, golden, copper, olive, bronze, orange, orange-red, coral | cool / jewel undertones: pink, red, blue, blue-red, rose, magenta, sapphire, silver. 

Mentioning the undertones within a character’s skin is an even more precise way to denote skin tone.

As shown, there’s a difference between say, brown skin with warm orange-red undertones (Kelly Rowland) and brown skin with cool, jewel undertones (Rutina Wesley).

“A dazzling smile revealed the bronze glow at her cheeks.”

“He always looked as if he’d ran a mile, a constant tinge of pink under his tawny skin.”

Standard Description Passage

“Farah’s skin, always fawn, had burned and freckled under the summer’s sun. Even at the cusp of autumn, an uneven tan clung to her skin like burrs. So unlike the smooth, red-brown ochre of her mother, which the sun had richened to a blessing.”

-From my story “Where Summer Ends” featured in Strange Little Girls

Here the state of skin also gives insight on character.

Note my use of “fawn” in regards to multiple meaning and association. While fawn is a color, it’s also a small, timid deer, which describes this very traumatized character of mine perfectly.

Though I use standard descriptions of skin tone more in my writing, at the same time I’m no stranger to creative descriptions, and do enjoy the occasional artsy detail of a character.

Creative Description

Whether compared to night-cast rivers or day’s first light…I actually enjoy seeing Characters of Colors dressed in artful detail.

I’ve read loads of descriptions in my day of white characters and their “smooth rose-tinged ivory skin”, while the PoC, if there, are reduced to something from a candy bowl or a Starbucks drink, so to actually read of PoC described in lavish detail can be somewhat of a treat.

Still, be mindful when you get creative with your character descriptions. Too many frills can become purple-prose-like, so do what feels right for your writing when and where. Not every character or scene warrants a creative description, either. Especially if they’re not even a secondary character.

Using a combination of color descriptions from standard to creative is probably a better method than straight creative. But again, do what’s good for your tale.

Natural Settings - Sky

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Pictured above: Harvest Moon -Twilight, Fall/Autumn Leaves, Clay, Desert/Sahara, Sunlight - Sunrise - Sunset - Afterglow - Dawn- Day- Daybreak, Field - Prairie - Wheat, Mountain/Cliff, Beach/Sand/Straw/Hay.

Now before you run off to compare your heroine’s skin to the harvest moon or a cliff side, think about the associations to your words.

When I think cliff, I think of jagged, perilous, rough. I hear sand and picture grainy, yet smooth. Calm. mellow.

So consider your character and what you see fit to compare them to.

Also consider whose perspective you’re describing them from. Someone describing a person they revere or admire may have a more pleasant, loftier description than someone who can’t stand the person.

“Her face was like the fire-gold glow of dawn, lifting my gaze, drawing me in.”

“She had a sandy complexion, smooth and tawny.”

Even creative descriptions tend to draw help from your standard words.

Flowers

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Pictured above: Calla lilies, Western Coneflower, Hazel Fay, Hibiscus, Freesia, Rose

It was a bit difficult to find flowers to my liking that didn’t have a 20 character name or wasn’t called something like “chocolate silk” so these are the finalists. 

You’ll definitely want to avoid purple-prose here.

Also be aware of flowers that most might’ve never heard of. Roses are easy, as most know the look and coloring(s) of this plant. But Western coneflowers? Calla lilies? Maybe not so much.

“He entered the cottage in a huff, cheeks a blushing brown like the flowers Nana planted right under my window. Hazel Fay she called them, was it?”

Assorted Plants & Nature

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Pictured above: Cattails, Seashell, Driftwood, Pinecone, Acorn, Amber

These ones are kinda odd. Perhaps because I’ve never seen these in comparison to skin tone, With the exception of amber.

At least they’re common enough that most may have an idea what you’re talking about at the mention of “pinecone." 

I suggest reading out your sentences aloud to get a better feel of how it’ll sounds.

"Auburn hair swept past pointed ears, set around a face like an acorn both in shape and shade.”

I pictured some tree-dwelling being or person from a fantasy world in this example, which makes the comparison more appropriate.

I don’t suggest using a comparison just “cuz you can” but actually being thoughtful about what you’re comparing your character to and how it applies to your character and/or setting.

Wood

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Pictured above: Mahogany, Walnut, Chestnut, Golden Oak, Ash

Wood can be an iffy description for skin tone. Not only due to several of them having “foody” terminology within their names, but again, associations.

Some people would prefer not to compare/be compared to wood at all, so get opinions, try it aloud, and make sure it’s appropriate to the character if you do use it.

“The old warlock’s skin was a deep shade of mahogany, his stare serious and firm as it held mine.”

Metals

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Pictured above: Platinum, Copper, Brass, Gold, Bronze

Copper skin, brass-colored skin, golden skin…

I’ve even heard variations of these used before by comparison to an object of the same properties/coloring, such as penny for copper.

These also work well with modifiers.

“The dress of fine white silks popped against the deep bronze of her skin.”

Gemstones - Minerals

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Pictured above: Onyx, Obsidian, Sard, Topaz, Carnelian, Smoky Quartz, Rutile, Pyrite, Citrine, Gypsum

These are trickier to use. As with some complex colors, the writer will have to get us to understand what most of these look like.

If you use these, or any more rare description, consider if it actually “fits” the book or scene.

Even if you’re able to get us to picture what “rutile” looks like, why are you using this description as opposed to something else? Have that answer for yourself.

“His skin reminded her of the topaz ring her father wore at his finger, a gleaming stone of brown, mellow facades.” 

Physical Description

Physical character description can be more than skin tone.

Show us hair, eyes, noses, mouth, hands…body posture, body shape, skin texture… though not necessarily all of those nor at once.

Describing features also helps indicate race, especially if your character has some traits common within the race they are, such as afro hair to a Black character.

How comprehensive you decide to get is up to you. I wouldn’t overdo it and get specific to every mole and birthmark. Noting defining characteristics is good, though, like slightly spaced front teeth, curls that stay flopping in their face, hands freckled with sunspots…

General Tips

Indicate Race Early: I suggest indicators of race be made at the earliest convenience within the writing, with more hints threaded throughout here and there.

Get Creative On Your Own: Obviously, I couldn’t cover every proper color or comparison in which has been “approved” to use for your characters’ skin color, so it’s up to you to use discretion when seeking other ways and shades to describe skin tone.

Skin Color May Not Be Enough: Describing skin tone isn’t always enough to indicate someone’s ethnicity. As timeless cases with readers equating brown to “dark white” or something, more indicators of race may be needed.

Describe White characters and PoC Alike: You should describe the race and/or skin tone of your white characters just as you do your Characters of Color. If you don’t, you risk implying that White is the default human being and PoC are the “Other”).

PSA: Don’t use “Colored.” Based on some asks we’ve received using this word, I’d like to say that unless you or your character is a racist grandmama from the 1960s, do not call People of Color “colored” please. 

Not Sure Where to Start? You really can’t go wrong using basic colors for your skin descriptions. It’s actually what many people prefer and works best for most writing. Personally, I tend to describe my characters using a combo of basic colors + modifiers, with mentions of undertones at times. I do like to veer into more creative descriptions on occasion.

Want some alternatives to “skin” or “skin color”? Try: Appearance, blend, blush, cast, coloring, complexion, flush, glow, hue, overtone, palette, pigmentation, rinse, shade, sheen, spectrum, tinge, tint, tone, undertone, value, wash.

Skin Tone Resources

List of Color Names

The Color Thesaurus

Skin Undertone & Color Matching

Tips and Words on Describing Skin

Photos: Undertones Described (Modifiers included)

Online Thesaurus (try colors, such as “red” & “brown”)

Don’t Call me Pastries: Creative Skin Tones w/ pics I 

Writing & Description Guides

WWC Featured Description Posts

WWC Guide: Words to Describe Hair

Writing with Color: Description & Skin Color Tags

7 Offensive Mistakes Well-intentioned Writers Make

I tried to be as comprehensive as possible with this guide, but if you have a question regarding describing skin color that hasn’t been answered within part I or II of this guide, or have more questions after reading this post, feel free to ask!

~ Mod Colette

11 months ago

I love kids they’re all like.. “when i grow up i’m gonna be an astronaut and a chef and a doctor and an olympic swimmer” like that self confidence! That drive! That optimism! Where does it go

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outdatedsymphony - Outdated Symphony
Outdated Symphony

18 - system - he/him, xe/xyr

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