All right, here's a question. I don't generally write fanfiction ( somtimes I will but generally I write my own stuff...but anyway) I see many people write stories with OC characters in them. I know how to develop characters for my own stories (trust me, including my main characters and side characters, key, and minor, I've got a harry potter sized cast in just one series I know at least the basics...or I hope I do o_o...) but how on earth do you make an appealing OC character for a fanfiction?

Edited July 9, 201213 yr by Spiney

That's an incredibly subjective question. There's such a wide range of genres and by extention expectations that it's exceedingly difficult to give much specific advice. The broadest advice I could really give (that you probably already know, but is just that important to hammer in.)

 

1. Make sure the character really fits into the setting as smoothly as possible. If they don't it just draws more attention to the fact that they didn't come from that franchise.

 

2. Don't make them the absolute center of the plot/universe. Always remember that people came primarily to see the characters from that universe go through a new story, not to see McNewguy steal the show. This doesn't mean you can't make them the central character, but if you do you need to pay good attention and devote time to your deuteragonists/supporting cast.

 

3. Balance their strengths. Characters should all have distinctive roles and shouldn't make other characters redundant. These usually go hand in hand. It doesn't matter how well written the OC is otherwise, if they're out-running Sonic and Schooling Link in swordfighting, people are gonna be miffed.

 

4. Not extravagant nor ordinary (Probably one you're definitely familiar with). You should definitely avoid over-embellishing a character, but don't try to make a character overly average either. Both extremes are boring and unless the rest of the universe is already mundane or operatic it'll make your character stand out even worse than if you gave them neon pink and orange hair.

 

That's about all I can give. I've been trying to write one myself, but I keep getting distracted by other things. I have everything in my head but I can never bring myself to write it down.

Edited July 9, 201213 yr by Spectrum of Life

What's an OC character? What does "OC" stand for?

What's an OC character? What does "OC" stand for?

 

Original Character

Original Character

 

I always thought "outside" character was a better name for them,...considering they aren't really part of the franchise.

What he said. And also, don't mess with cannon relationships; personal pet peeve of mine when Sora leaves Kairi for some OC...and, of course, they have to be well written and original. They can be flawed, just be original.

Crazy back stories also tend to annoy me. Like they're the male form of a female character from an alternate universe or something. Don't be too weird.

That's about all I can give. I've been trying to write one myself, but I keep getting distracted by other things. I have everything in my head but I can never bring myself to write it down.

 

OMG we are like twins! lol

Edited July 9, 201213 yr by deathrebirthsenshi

Admittedly, most of my experience here has been with LoTR fanfic, but I think there's a lot of applicable holdovers that make sense in any writing universe.

 

1. Play within the boundaries of the world you're in. The biggest peeve of mine in LoTR fanfic is when people transform into wolves, or have wolf companions, or basically work a wolf into their character because they think wolves are cool and/or sexy. The fact of the matter is, in Middle Earth, wolves are evil. End of story. Now, if it was actually treated as a curse that this character could turn into a wolf, and wasn't treated as a super-special power, that would be different, and would work better within the context of the world. Basically, don't just flip off already existing rules just to fulfill a fanboy desire.

 

2. Do not ever have you character upstage, overpower, or no-sell a pre-existing character that is treated with great respect within the context of the story. If Elrond says something, you listen, and not interupt with your own interjection because you think you have something to say. It's Elrond. He's been around for a long time, and probably knows more than you. Unless you're a Maia, and you're probably not. Not only is it for practical reasons, but personally, nothing makes me resent an OC more than when they start lipping off the characters I'm familiar with. Remember, the audience is more attached to the old cast than your character, and aren't going to take kindly to your character not giving them the respect they deserve. If you're teenage outcast from modern society happens to beat Borimir in a sword fight, and attribute it to "after hours training," I'm not going to be impressed with your character's ability, I'm going to be disgusted at the writer for showing such disrespect to Borimir.

 

3. I would generally recomend having your character originate within the fanfic universe, rather than dropping into it from afar. Not only has the latter been done to death, but if you were to choose the former, than you could give your character a greater history in the context of the story thatn just "Poof! New character!" A fellow named Dave is walking about reading Aristotle and falls down a hole into Middle Earth? Meh. But if Dave is a knight of Rohan who has served Theoden well, but is becoming increasingly concerned with his lack of judgement, and has to choose whether to seek the advice of Rivendell at the expense of showing absolute devotion, or continue to stand his post in spite of his misgivings? It's not only deeper, but it gives your character more of a reason to be in the universe in the first place, and more inclination to see things through.

First, you create a name. Any name is fine, as long as its' semipronouncable.

Second, create an interesting Bio/Backstory/Story Summary. Draw readers in with tragic or interesting things.

Third, Make a personality for them so readers have a vague idea of what this character is like.

 

Example:

Name: James Winchester

Bio/Story Summary: James's parents were killed in a car crash, so he was sent to live with his uncle. He was so distraught he began cutting himself, because it felt like the pain would help him feel better, and he has the scars on his wrists to prove it. He begins to have terrifying visions and nightmares of his parents being killed in gruesome ways, and his brother goes missing, presumably kidnapped. He starts to see a therapist, and the police begin to suspect him for the kidnappings, because his psychosis fits. James is compelled to find his brother whilst evading the law.

 

So from this, you can assume James is depressed because of the car crash took his parents, so there's a personality.

If you need more help, let me know! c:

Personally, (and this might just be my opinion but) keep things cannon. As in, for example, Harry Potter, Harry can't enter the room of Requirement when he is 12 years old, because he did not know about it until he was 15. Or having him apparate at any age younger than 16, or in Kingdom Hearts have Sora use the keyblade at age 8. He didn't know what the thing was until he was 14, or have Kairi be 18 and Sora still be 14. And PLEASE keep character consistency. I hate it when I'm reading a Kingdom Hearts fic, and Sora is really angsty and emo. Sora is not a depressing character. He's a really happy-go-lucky adventurous kid. Just--keep the classic characters they way they are.

 

It's a pet peeve of mine, I know it's just a simple stupid mistakes/changes and in the "world of fanfiction" people can do "whatever they like" but small things like that really make me disinterested. But to me, the more the writer stays cannon, the higher the success of legitimacy their story is.

 

Going off what deathrebirthsenshi said, don't give sex changes to characters. It makes things awkward, and I'm sure you've heard the phrase, "Fangirls ruin everything," -- that's why!

 

You say you develop characters for your own stories all the time. Creating an OC for a fanfic isn't that much different. The only thing you really have to be concerned with is: "Does this OC make sense? Do they fit in with the setting of the story?" Dave explained that beautifully in his post above.

 

Some general rules of thumb I'll state are:

1) Your character should have flaws, but don't make them miserable. ( **** DEATH or ABUSE in any way does NOT mean your character has DEPTH! I hate when people throw that in there just so they can say their character is "developed." )

 

2) Your character should be age appropriate. For example, if you have a character that is six years old, have them talk/act like an actual six year old. Anything too mature, or immature makes your story sound fake, and makes you, the writer, seem like a noob. And also, if you the fanfic your writing has mostly about 15 year olds, i highly suggest you make your character at least roughly around the same age as 15.

 

3) Don't make your character outrageously pretty. Don't give them too many crushes at one time. For example, don't have Riku, Sora, Roxas, Terra, and Axel alllll have a crush on your OC. That is a sign of perfection and a Mary-Sue. Stay away from Mary-Sue characters! You may have Axel and Roxas both like her, but once you start throwing in a third one, that's when it gets too unrealistic.

 

4) Don't make them too powerful. That goes along with the Mary-Sue thing.

 

5) Make them likeable. Give them personality. Maybe a catch-phrase or a quirk. If they're going to become friends with the main cast, make sure their friendship makes sense, but at the same time, don't make them too much like another character. Make your OC original and distinct. If they're too much like Kairi or Aqua, or Ventus, then it's overshadowing those characters who we actually like and love.

Edited July 9, 201213 yr by wayfinder823

All right, I'll take everyone's advice into account and see what I come up with ;D. Thank u!