What are you thinking RIGHT NOW?

[Tsuki]

Happy Easter all!

[Marizzle]

Happy Easter all!

Happy Easter!

[Si-Amber]

Happy Chocolate Egg Day!

[Carl]

I really hope meine abuela doesn't need to be in the hospital long.

[Gemini]

EDIT: ^

I don't exactly agree with this, but, IMO, everyone has a different way of creating and developing characters. For example, I know someone who can only name their characters after creating everything related to them (Design, plot, etc.).

In my case, I develop both the character and its plot/backstory simultaneously. For example, let's imagine that I truly want my character to have "manipulative" as a trait in its personality. In order not to have it "just randomly appear", I make the plot have something that explains that trait. But, then, I have a new idea that could work as a follow up for the plot, which I end up further developing, and, as a consequence, the character itself will be affected. I'm not saying that I create things randomly, because I seriously don't. I take a loooong time to "conclude" an OC, but, on the end, I make sure both the character and its plot make sense and, in a way, "match".
(Sorry if this is too confusing, I tried my best to explain it! D:)

Like I said, I think it's all based on how you prefer to create and develop your character. Some people prefer to do X first, others prefer Y, some prefer both.

I agree with all of what you said in your first paragraph. I HAVE to create the visuals for a character before I can even start to plan their personality. Obviously things will differ in the long process it takes to reach the final version. I have an OC who I've been developing since 2010. And even now, I sometimes wonder if he is truly complete.

But with your middle paragraph I'm a little confused - are you referring to the backstory when you talk about a 'plot'? To me, those are two different things. The backstory is what makes the character who they are up until the point that the plot, the ongoing story (say, in their own novel) begins. I suppose if you're not writing a novel with them then their only fixed plot would be the backstory, but I don't regard them as being the same thing at all.

The backstory should always give some indication to how it shaped the character, and in my opinion should be the thing you spend the most time on when you create an OC. Not the universe, not the themes of the fiction, just the bear bones of the OC. After all, people's history is generally what makes them what they are.

The ongoing plotline is there to develop the character into something more...or less, depending on what sort of hardship they go through. That's the magic of a good plotline!

But I agree with your point overall. People make OCs in different ways. Whatever suits you as a creator

^ Well, the character's backstory is still part of the character, and obviously things that happen further in the plot will further develop the character, but if the characters aren't strong, people won't be interested. I think what lelizwe is getting at is that a phenomenal plot with weak characters will be tough to get through and lose people's interest, while you can use a less original plot and still keep people hooked if your characters are awesome enough.

He's got it!

Nice discussion going on here, guys! I think I'll weigh in.

Anyway, trying to separate plot from characters is one of those things that I honestly think is easier said than done. In my experience, the plot affects the characters and they affect the plot. In the past, I feel like I mostly made plot-centric stories, and the characters were kinda developed in tandem with what was going on and tweaked as the plot needed (my fanfiction, Trampled, is a prime example of that. People still like it after four years but looking back it was really just the strength of the prose in places and the suspense/plot twists, etc. that mostly kept people interested. And the character development kind of went alongside that. But there are plot holes and weird inconsistencies in places for sure when I look at it now).

In my current project, though, I feel like (especially since we are planning out the whole story before we go) the process is a little different. We kind of ended up making and tweaking the plot around the characters, and not the other way around. The result is something that's a lot more grounded and character-driven, and that honestly helps 1) make better characters and 2) make sure everyone is in character and acting consistently through the course of the plot, which helps make the plot better, too. In other words, I feel like we are getting a better and more compelling story all around by tackling it this way, which makes me question why I didn't do it earlier.

Like I may have said before, I feel more attached to this original universe/set of characters/plot than any of the other ones I ever created. Sure, I may have tried to make up worlds and such, but that spark that comes with having a good, solid, developed character simply wasn't there.

Last night me and my friend tried to develop one of our characters and it honestly almost felt to me, in a weird sort of way, that we were uncovering her instead of merely creating her. We kinda came up with a back story that matched her personality, and that further validated those personality traits and then... IDK. Everything just kind of came together.

So yeah, back story is definitely important, too, as it explains who the characters are and allows you to really get into their heads.

In short, our process has been along the lines of visual design -> name -> basic info/personality -> back story -> more personality (and more back story as needed) -> finished character. Seems to work pretty well, as I like these OCs far more than any others I've made in the past.

[Buffy]

Happy Easter everyone!

I'm spending this Sunday packing for my trip. My flight leaves at 9:00 PM today. I'm so excited!

[Shadowfax]

My antibiotics are finally working!!!! I'm starting to feel better.

[Rollo]

^ Great news!!

In short, our process has been along the lines of visual design -> name -> basic info/personality -> back story -> more personality (and more back story as needed) -> finished character. Seems to work pretty well, as I like these OCs far more than any others I've made in the past.

That is literally the exact process I use too. I can't remember when I started going down this route. I don't even think it was a conscious decision. I must've made one OC using this tactic, greatly enjoyed what I got of them and it's been that way ever since!

Recently, I've taken to developing a character to the point that a story can be written about them (i.e some grasp on their personality, their name, appearance), then continuing to write stories with them until I feel I really understand their inner and outer voice, and how they think. That's when I usually see if their plotline/personality/visual design can be tweaked a bit, often because during the stories I give them quirks or habits or something that was not apparent before... as is the nature with the long-winded development stage. Things will change constantly. That's what I did with my latest set, and they're coming along nicely. It's all about understanding your muse.

--

Debating on whether I should stay up a little later tonight or not, seeing that when I go to bed, I'll technically be going to bed one hour earlier than normal. My mind knows what's going on, body, not so much

[xKendo]

GeminiGemelo Quote: show

Nice discussion going on here, guys! I think I'll weigh in.

Anyway, trying to separate plot from characters is one of those things that I honestly think is easier said than done. In my experience, the plot affects the characters and they affect the plot. In the past, I feel like I mostly made plot-centric stories, and the characters were kinda developed in tandem with what was going on and tweaked as the plot needed (my fanfiction, Trampled, is a prime example of that. People still like it after four years but looking back it was really just the strength of the prose in places and the suspense/plot twists, etc. that mostly kept people interested. And the character development kind of went alongside that. But there are plot holes and weird inconsistencies in places for sure when I look at it now).

In my current project, though, I feel like (especially since we are planning out the whole story before we go) the process is a little different. We kind of ended up making and tweaking the plot around the characters, and not the other way around. The result is something that's a lot more grounded and character-driven, and that honestly helps 1) make better characters and 2) make sure everyone is in character and acting consistently through the course of the plot, which helps make the plot better, too. In other words, I feel like we are getting a better and more compelling story all around by tackling it this way, which makes me question why I didn't do it earlier.

Like I may have said before, I feel more attached to this original universe/set of characters/plot than any of the other ones I ever created. Sure, I may have tried to make up worlds and such, but that spark that comes with having a good, solid, developed character simply wasn't there.

Last night me and my friend tried to develop one of our characters and it honestly almost felt to me, in a weird sort of way, that we were uncovering her instead of merely creating her. We kinda came up with a back story that matched her personality, and that further validated those personality traits and then... IDK. Everything just kind of came together.

So yeah, back story is definitely important, too, as it explains who the characters are and allows you to really get into their heads.

In short, our process has been along the lines of visual design -> name -> basic info/personality -> back story -> more personality (and more back story as needed) -> finished character. Seems to work pretty well, as I like these OCs far more than any others I've made in the past.

Wow This is seriously nice. I've learned some stuff with this. I may try it next time

-----

I should be working on Conan's head but dayumn TWD really is cool! Although I cry like a baby sometimes

[Shadowfax]

Ya know what? Yolo.