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Post by FB-06: Shinozuka Mari on Feb 14, 2011 22:46:43 GMT -4
I wasn't sure where to post this; if this is the wrong place, just be sure to tell me where you moved it.
Okay, I want to make a MLaaTR fanfic, and I want to start by making a character list; I know how to describe the canon characters, I just need some advice on developing the OCs.
Does anyone have any advice to give?
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Post by sirtophat on Feb 15, 2011 7:51:05 GMT -4
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Post by Champ on Feb 16, 2011 3:49:18 GMT -4
Well, when working with our kind of fan characters(superheroes and supervillains for the most part) I've always found it best to work on their personalities before their powers. It makes it a lot easier to write them when the time comes, and it makes the reader connect with them. It doesn't matter how many cool powers somebody has if they have all the personality of a cardboard box. Get in their head, figure out what makes the tick. What events have defined them, what do they believe at the core of their being, and what really matters to them. If you really understand all of that it'll be easier for you to write your characters and for your readers to understand them.
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Post by Jessie Winkler on Feb 16, 2011 11:29:36 GMT -4
I think the main thing you should do is take some time to figure out their flaws. Nobody in this world is perfect, and neither should OCs. Giving characters weaknesses will make them more real.
Make sure they complement your character's personality though. For instance, my character Jessie is a rather friendly and loving person, but her flaw is she tends to trust people too easily and can't stand rejection. She's also very overprotective of people she cares about.
My character Jane on the other hand has a pretty strong backbone, but can come off as sour. She feels like she needs to accomplish things to get noticed. See what I did there? The flaws have something to do with their overall personality.
In the end, have fun! ^^
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Post by Damion / Xerox on May 12, 2011 18:16:48 GMT -4
Here's a tip. Try not to rely on cliches. It's so easy to give a character a "dark or troubled past" or other similar personal situations. Amnesia also falls under that category.
Get creative with how you build your character. A character that can stand out amongst other OCs is a character worth having a look at. It may take a little more work and effort, but the payoff will be grand, be sure of that.
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Post by Jakob on May 12, 2011 21:00:28 GMT -4
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Post by Koith on May 12, 2011 21:12:44 GMT -4
Based on my writing experience about fanfics, I'll give you some little advices about developing an OC:
-Clearly state your character's powers and personalities (into papers is the best). With this, you can match your character's abilities and his/her personalities and remove the unmatched ones. One small conflict between powers/characteristics can make a big trouble for readers.
-Live with your character. Use all of your imagination to think about him/her base on his/her personalities. If you don't do that, you'll in big trouble while writing or thinking.
-Don't make them become Mary-Sue. In the second step, the chance of your OCs become Mary-Sue is very high. But, you have to think twice in planning your character. The successful OCs are very complex in his/her soul and also have flaws.
Or if you created a Mary-Sue and you don't want him/her dead, I'll give you some of my advices (doing like me is unadvised if you're not too self-confidence):
-Complicate your character, make his/her personalities become more reasonable. In the time of writing, never have a full description about your OCs and in every chapters, create situations that affected strongly to his/her personalities. You can show the flaws of them in this step.
-Don't exaggerate your OCs both personalities, powers and their history too much, they'll easily become Mary-Sue. Try to make them more realistic. A good planner makes his/her OCs are familiar with readers (also have powers and abilities too).
That's my idea! Good luck to you! ...Rýo Khoi...
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