|
|
Post by BlindedxxFalcon on Jul 19, 2007 18:24:56 GMT -5
Well, the character has to be fully developed and have a good back story.
|
|
|
|
Post by samanthamae on Jul 19, 2007 18:55:08 GMT -5
And it shouldn't be jumped by Socs  Well, sometimes I read OFC stories and just hate the original. But that's a good thing, because it shows that the character can be disliked. It's also a good thing when she isn't really part of the gang, but can be friends with some of them. Romances don't bother me that much, as long as it's a real OFC. As for OMC's, they don't bother me as much. He just shouldn't be the best looking guy around. And, like GreaserFreak13 pointed out, they should have a good background story. I'm normally not too picky with OC's, though. If I don't like the character, it can still be a good story. I think I'm just rambling on now. |
|
|
|
Post by Nittanylizard on Jul 19, 2007 19:51:26 GMT -5
For me, they need to have depth, which is such an intangible thing to achieve. I think it even goes beyond creating believable flaws, and inserting a plausible backstory. The voice has to be there. I think I need to feel like I'm in the character's head (or characters' heads), experiencing along with them, rather than feeling like I'm sitting across the table from somebody who is describing himself/herself or telling me about their life. So rather than feeling like a reader or a friend of the character, I want to feel like their subconscious, regardless of the POV (first or third).
I have no idea how this is accomplished ;D. I just know it's a lot of work, and several of my own characters have fallen short. I can feel it when I'm writing, though, when I just don't connect with one of my characters.
Hey, that just gave me an idea that may be part of it - the author might have a great feel for their own character(s), but fail to give depth to the canon characters. And if everybody around the MC comes off as a cardboard cutout, it's hard to feel anything for the MC.
|
|
|
|
Post by Nittanylizard on Jul 19, 2007 19:52:30 GMT -5
Oh, and I definitely think some of the most likable characters are the ones that you wouldn't like in real life.
|
|
latch22
Up To No Good
Anybody got a pitchfork?
Posts: 206
|
Post by latch22 on Jul 19, 2007 20:24:42 GMT -5
Exactly, Liz!
If no one minds a personal example, one of my characters... goodness, he's just taken over. He's so real that he even lies to ME, if you know what I mean. When I write his POV, it's not me speaking--it really is him, and that's how I feel that I get it right. He has memories that I haven't even tapped into yet--I just know it. He developed himself.
Does anyone know what I mean by that? Because it honestly does feel as if I had little to do with his creation, and even less to do with his continued to development.
And there are plenty of characters that I really like that I would never be able to stand in real life. One huge issue with (and you know how much I hate to say it) newer writers is that they feel that they need a character to be likable to be good, or accepted. Not so.
To use the same example, the character that I mentioned is obviously not perfect, and not everybody is all-too fond of him (though he has enough friends to make up for his enemies). He lies, he's a bit strange, he talks to animals at the zoo when nobody's around, he's insecure and lonely, he's never had a formal education, he's not that great of a reader, and the situations that he can't talk his way out of leave him leave him in want of some other clever exit strategy because he's not a great fighter. But he's an exquisite storyteller and experiencing something through his POV adds to the scene, I've been told. He has been very well-received and I'm proud to say that he has taken over my writing and, for a while, my mind.
So they need to be more than realistic--they need to be real, as if you could reach out and touch them. When you read an article in the news about some horrible tragedy, you're sad, and you may feel for those involved, but it's just not something that is happening to you. When something terrible happens to someone you know... that's different. Or, in reverse, something good, so we're not left on a depressing note.
And it's not just that character. They need something or someone to play off of, so, again, Liz is right.
Cheers!
|
|
|
|
Post by fairlane on Jul 19, 2007 20:56:06 GMT -5
Latch I know what you mean I've had characters take over the story. I end up thinking "oh heck I didn't want him to do that..."
I think it's probably harder to write a good original character in fanfic that people will want to read about, because people are not reading it for original characters. I know I get turned of OC's in fan fiction pretty easily, but when they do come to life they can be a great way of providing extra insight into the canon characters.
The connection to the canon characters needs to be there, and just making her Dally's sister or whatever is not enough. The connection needs to feel real and I don't know exactly how to describe it, but you *know* when it's there as a reader.
|
|
|
|
Post by fairlane on Jul 19, 2007 21:00:03 GMT -5
...villians can be some of the best characters, as long as they are realistic. They don't have to have a 'soft' side, but should have some depth of feeling and emotion and believable motivations.
|
|
|
|
Post by fairlane on Jul 20, 2007 5:38:13 GMT -5
A lot of writers do seem to open the story like that when it involves an OFC, with a big info dump all about her. Its great they've put thought into their character I'm all for that, but that method of introduction brings the story to a complete standstill before it's even started. I feel like sending reviews that just say "Show don't tell!"
|
|
latch22
Up To No Good
Anybody got a pitchfork?
Posts: 206
|
Post by latch22 on Jul 20, 2007 14:55:00 GMT -5
Heh, Winston runs to be alone... I can definitely see that, Artemis. That's a great example. It makes perfect sense, but it would be otherwise irrelevant in the story. Also, about Laura's attraction to Dallas... I hadn't thought about it that way, but that's a very good point.
And, goodness, that's so true about information dumps. It's much more interesting to learn about characters in a natural way, just like you learn about an actual person, picking up on their quirks and the little things that they mention.
Hidden back story = very cool.
I may go a bit overboard on the back story that doesn't get introduced, though. I mean, sometimes I have a lot and sometimes not so much, but when I have a lot... there seems to be more back story than story, lol. And random scenes that are totally pointless. o.O
Cheers!
|
|
|
|
Post by Tensleep on Jul 20, 2007 22:46:47 GMT -5
Ah, don't I know all about the characters that get into your head. Pepsi does that to me. He does lie to me, he manipulates things and sometimes I say things I never would because I have him on my mind. It boggles the mind.
Danny is starting to get like that, too. His back story - well, a good chunk of it - I found really had to be nailed home right off the bat so everyone knew why he was there. I like that about his character. You think you knew the guy and then something else pops up. Those are the OCs I like. You get to know more and more of them as time goes on. It's an interesting relationship.
And I am very tired, so excuse me if that came out sounding crazy!
See ya in the funny papers!!!
Tens
|
|
|
|
Post by zevie on Jul 22, 2007 15:45:48 GMT -5
I think it may not be important for the character to be likeable, but if it's a main character, I think it's important that s/he be liked. Er...
What I mean is, I think OCs have to be relatable. We have to care enough to keep following their story, even if we wouldn't like them. Laura, I probably would have put a fist through her face if I met her in real life (sorry, artemis) but when she and Dally get in a fight, or she gets frustrated by him, or she worries about her family it's something pretty much all of us can understand (damn crotchety hood). For romance especially, I think it's important that the readers be rooting for the characters to get together, and they have to be fond of the OC enough to care for that. I feel like I'm stealing this thought from someone else. Sorry, whoever you are. Anyway, all the OCs I like have to be real and relateable, so even if I would hate them (*cough* Angela Shepard *cough*) or love them in real life, I still care about them. It helps with the information dump, too. I love, love, love it when a character I love gives up tons of backstory - after I get attached. I have to actually "like" them (as a character) to want to know that much about them. It depends on the story how soon that is for me, but 99.99999 percent of the time it's not on the first page. Sometimes a good explanation is needed up front, like you said Tens. It's different for a character to say: "I'm the brother of this guy and I came from here" than for him/her to start explaining why their favourite colour is magenta and who's fault it is why they're incapable of love. Although, as with all things, in the right hands, you never know.
|
|
|
|
Post by zevie on Jul 22, 2007 16:33:59 GMT -5
...I did like her as a character though, the more I thought about her. She was more one of those that stick to your brain until you can't help but be fond of her. I liked her premise - drives him insane, lol. He did it right back, though. She didn't remind me of Cherry until now, lol.
|
|
|
|
Post by BlindedxxFalcon on Aug 31, 2007 13:26:19 GMT -5
My favorite orginal characters has to be Medea Crowley's, Spider and Des. Spook's cool, too!
|
|
Des
Teeny Bopper
Trespassers will be shot. Survivors will be shot again.
Posts: 107
|
Post by Des on Aug 31, 2007 20:24:29 GMT -5
-laughing- Thank you GF! Desmond was based on a biker friend of mine who is totally insane! And Spider is based on my youngest brother----he's a freak of nature with wicked ADD! But, Spook is my baby. He's what I would want if I had a son.  |
|
|
|
Post by Tensleep on Sept 25, 2007 15:38:14 GMT -5
Ok, my turn to drudge this one up.
As always, Zevie nails the points floating around in my head. I mean, some back story up front is great, but the whole magenta thing just doesn't work for me, not until we really know the character.
On that, I think the best OC's bring out the best and the worst in the characters we already know and love. In fact, I think that should really be their purpose. Not that ti always ends up happening, but hey.
My favorite original characters...humm...
I really liked Violet (Blue) from Buleberryhill by Lila E. She was an interesting character to read and I miss that story. I miss Lila, too, now that I think on it. She had an awesome voice in her stories.
I can't think of any more off the top of my head. I haven't really read much fan fiction in a while, but I still write it, despite lack of updates . I'll sound like a bit of a brat here and say that when I crave an OC, I generally write one. My favorite would have to be Mike Garren who is loud, crude, opinionated and doesn't put up with anything. He gets abused on my bad days.
And I'm verging on babbling, so I'll leave it there
|
|
