Bonus points if the author first mentions a specific trait, physical build, or whatever else halfway through the novel and totally fucks up my mental image.
I don’t expect a biology model description for each character, but write me something brief and evocative of how they should look, you fucking dork author. I don’t even know how tall she should be, her hair colour, anything. Why are you like this, author?
I don’t think it’s aphantasia in my case. I can picture things in my mind, it’s just that it’s hard to come up with descriptions without it in front of me. It’s the same way you might take another bite or drink of something while trying to describe how it tastes. I can remember generally how a wine tastes the next day but it’s a lot less vivid than when it’s on my tongue, and it’s kinda the same way with visual images of people.
I think it is a skill issue, but like I said it’s kind of it’s own skill. I think it’s possible to be a good writer while being complete ass at describing people. I do think it’s a skill that’s possible to learn tho, so there’s not really a good excuse for it.