I need help, because every time I reach this part of writing, I feel like I screw up. Sure, I'm a tough critic of myself, but still. What I'd really like to hear from anyone is when to describe the looks of the main character. Do you do some action and lead up to the description? Describe them fully as early as possible? Slowly describe them over several pages? Give the generalities you want the reader to know and let them fill in the rest as you tell the story? Whenever I do it, it doesn't seem to sound right (man, do I sound insecure). For an example of how I describe a lead character, see "Season of Change" under fantasy fiction.
Also, if the lead character is not human, like a character I'm working with who is a humanoid feline, when should I describe what she or her species looks like? Or, how should I introduce the fact that he/she is not human? I don't want the reader naturally assuming she's human then going "Whoa! What is she again? Where'd that come from?"
Afterthought: when do you think you reach the point of describing a characters looks too much?
Anyway, I'm just looking for some opinions.
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