[ SECRET POST #3370 ]

[case]

⌈ Secret Post #3370 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 03 pages, 070 secrets from Secret Submission Post #482.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Comments

Inspired by 1

[(Anonymous)]

People who find it easy to create characters, how do you go about it? What's your process?

Re: Inspired by 1

[(Anonymous)]

I generally start with a few very basic traits (one being a major character flaw) and their appearance, since I need to be able to visualise them to write. Then I stick them in situation and let them develop from there.

Re: Inspired by 1

[(Anonymous)]

DA. I do this too, maybe minus a lot of their appearance beyond basics. Something like, I need someone small and scrappy and way too stubborn, with a strong moralistic streak, and I want them put in a situation where the only way out is to do something bad to somebody. I want (one of) their opponents to be vicious and cruel but genuinely fighting for their life. I want a moment of detente where they have to interact with each other without immediate violence. Then I'll start that, I'll start writing (I usually do start in medias res, it's easier for me), and then I'll start throwing in reasons and rationales for what they're doing as I go, bits of backstory for why they're reacting certain ways, and letting the characters build in reaction to each other as I go.

It does sometimes mean that I end up with multiple versions of the same story in my head, where the characters developed one way or another, or because one bit of the situation caught my attention so I pulled it out and to the side to develop differently in another story. Things like that. I sometimes get several significantly different stories out of the exact same initial scenario and character build, by tweaking or changing bits and pieces of the evolving reactions and situation.

Re: Inspired by 1

[tabaqui]

I figure out what I need that character to do, and then kind of build them around that action/issue/ability/whatever.

I kind of see my fics in my head like video clips or movie trailers, so I often have a kind of screen-cap image in my head of that character at a particularly telling or interesting or exciting moment, and that helps, too.

Plus, if the main characters or villain needs a little poking/smart-assery aimed at them/taken down a notch/surprised with a different pov, that helps to build that character.

Re: Inspired by 1

[(Anonymous)]

I draw them first. I'm a terrible artist, but sketching what they look like, what clothes they wear, and colors they like helps me imagine their personality, likes and dislikes, occupation, and things like that. I also create class or work schedules for them.

Re: Inspired by 1

[badass_tiger]

Usually I get a plot before I get a character, so I just stick in characters that would make the plot go as I want, and then I expand on the character from there. I find that I really have to like a character, or at least find them interesting, to be able to write them properly, so to do that, I'll play with them in my head, putting them in different situations, finding out their background, until I feel that I like them enough to want to get them down on paper.

It really does feel like I have to get to know a character rather than create them though. I just know it's perfect whenever I find the right name or get their background. If I tried to force something to change once I've 'discovered' it, I just wouldn't be able to write it properly. If a character isn't turning out to be the character I want for my story, I have to put them aside and come up with someone new.

Re: Inspired by 1

[dancingmouse]

I usually start with something cliche, like take a character from a Slasher film for instance (you know, big, quiet, chases teenagers, carries a knife, wears a mask, etc.) or a completely blank slate if I'm feeling daring, and make adjustments and tweaks to said character as I develop my story and characterizations.

Re: Inspired by 1

[dahli]

Personally I start by drawing them (so basically appearance) and give them a basic personality. I.E. Serious, shy, cheerful, etc. After that I just come up with stuff along with way and have them react to the situation they are facing. That way I go on figuring out their personality.

I find if hard to making a character and suddenly writing down from their personalities to the things they like to eat to the size of their shoe.

Re: Inspired by 1

[(Anonymous)]

I don't have a process, per se. It happens one of two ways:

1) I think about a character who's inspired by a real person. Often a historical figure, because I read/watch a lot of historical fiction. A person might interest me and I'll think wow, what an amazing person! Their life is like a novel...

2) I think about a specific plot and then think what sort of person would work best with that plot. They'll have traits that appeal to me, of course, and hopefully traits that make them human. I'm fond of certain archetypes, but in order to make that work, you have to flesh out the character so they're more than just a stereotype. What makes this person tick? What do they love? What keeps them awake at night? What do they do for fun, when they're not off doing whatever they need to do in the story? What are their weaknesses (and this is the important bit) how do those weaknesses come back to bite them on the ass?

Weaknesses that don't ever leave you vulnerable to negative repercussions aren't really weaknesses, they're just superficial quirks authors use to try and avoid having a Mary Sue/Gary Stu.