The Bronzed Hunky Warriors Strike Back
The revisions started picking up again yesterday. Which is wonderful, except I found myself chained to the thesaurus again. I’m beginning to wonder how multi-published authors manage to consistently come up with interesting ways to describe a hunky warrior. How many ways can you describe a sun-bronzed warrior with hardened muscles? Those hooded eyes, blazing with desire. 
You can’t toss around the same old cliche’s, but at the same time, how do you convince the reader that YES, this man is HOT, and you will want to nibble him all over. I needed some new ways, so off I trotted to Rodale’s Synonym Finder:
Bronze: metallic-brown, rust, rust-colored, copper, copper-colored, henna.
Hooded: cowl, capuche, mantilla, veil, coif, wimple, cap, bonnet, hat, kerchief…etc.
Okay, here we go. Shouldn’t be too hard if we toss in a few new descriptions.
Patrick stood before her, his rust-colored muscles flexing in the firelight. His bonneted eyes hungered with desire.
Doesn’t quite work, does it? Of course, I could say:
Patrick leaned against the wall, his warrior’s body so hard and delectable, she wanted to lick him like the last bite of cookie dough in the bowl.
Something tells me this won’t work for a medieval. 
I was tagged a few days ago, so I guess I’d better get around to answering the questions:
Number of books I own: I’ve never counted, but probably in the neighborhood of 400-500, mostly romance.
Last Book I Bought: A Loving Scoundrel by Johanna Lindsey
Last Book I Read: When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn
5 Books that Mean a Lot to Me: Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel; A Vision of Light by Judith Merkle Riley; Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer; A Place To Call Home by Deborah Smith; and Born in Fire by Nora Roberts. I’ve probably read them about 30 billion times each.
I’m not going to tag anyone because some people get annoyed, but if you want to share your own answers, feel free!
Michelle posted in Writing @ 6:44 am | Viewed 1368 times
Margery Scott Says:
Nope, rust-colored muscles just don’t do it for me I have a hard time with descriptions too.
LOL on Kennedy being killed while in office.
kacey Says:
I did like those Born In books by Nora!
We might need to hide your Rodales though
Suzanne Says:
The rust-colored muscles sound…..lovely!:wink:
Sharon Says:
My personal favorite is “Patrick leaned against the wall, his warrior’s body so hard and delectable, she wanted to sop him up with a biscuit.”
Crystal* Says:
He was long, dark, and tall. Like a two liter of Diet Pepsi she was wanting to take a sip of.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Okay. I couldn’t help myself. I’m a Diet Pepsi addict, and this was too delicious to pass up.
It’s flipping HARD to find good wordage that’s not overdone or cliched. The thesaurus can only do so much. And then we have to sift, sort, and pick.
Good luck, Michelle. I’m sure you’ll convey the delicious, hunk of a man quite nicely.
Grins*
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
Rene Says:
Too funny, Michelle. Love the cookie dough reference. But yeah, I don’t think it would work in a medievel. If she were anything like me, she would get distracted by the thought of cookie dough and forget about Rust Boy and head off to the kitchen.
Jill Says:
I think you should write an thesaurus. I’d buy it …
Tori Says:
This one reason why I love Word Menu. It’s like a thesaurus only better.
Teresa Says:
The cookie dough reference definitely caught my attention.:cheer: YUMMY!
Michelle Says:
Sharon–LOL!!!:rotfl: Too funny.
Rene–I hear ya. I love cookie dough. Who needs men?
Crystal–Hee hee. Man, we should have a bad romance novel contest…Hmmm…a blog entry?
Sasha Says:
I liked the cookie dough one too. But not for a medieval. However, Uhmmm May I borrow it for a contemp? I’d giveyou due credit of course. Maybe I’ll even name the character Michelle. Will that be enough credit?
Michelle Says:
Go for it, Sasha.
But can you make up a simile for my medieval in return? 