Character Building Tips
Character Building Tips
(Author’s note- I can literally write pages, upon pages about characters, the different types, how they all work and how to create them, and I really doubt anyone wants to read pages upon pages of this, so this is a condensed version on how to build characters, if any one of you pals want me to go in depth, or explain anything, feel free to message and/or inbox me!! Or if you guys want more things like this, please let me know!! I will be more than happy to oblige!!)
Step 1. A Name- So before anything, and I think this goes without saying, your character is going to need a name, they can get a name at any stage of the building process, so do not fret if you don’t have a name for your character yet, you can still do all the other steps.
To find names I personally like to scroll through baby names, and fantasy name generators to find the ones that I like, or, when I know what type of person I want my character to be, I google the definition of the name that I want. Names can definitely cause a road block when you are looking for one and not really sure what name you want, but I assure you, once you find the name, you will not mistake it. Always go with your gut.
Step 2. Personality - There are numerous amounts of ways to find out a character’s personality, for example personality quizzes or have mental conversations with them, and even role playing. All of these are great ways to get to know what type of character you are building. One of my favourites, and the one thing that always works for me, is writing. The words will flow, and when they do, don’t stop, your character will tell you what type of person they are, they will show their colours, and when they do take notice, because this is just a drop of ink on the canvass and there will be a painting soon. Notice all the different colours, because their will be layers, and colours that mix and match, and that is just what you want. You want your character to have human like qualities because no one is just a black and white painting. We are all gray, some of us have splashes of red, while others have blue, and some have yellow, which ever colours comes out, allow it to flow. You and your character are just getting to know one another, don’t cut them off, allow them to take as long, or as short as they need. They will tell you through words what they want, I know you may be reading this and be stuck, but honestly, even just putting words into your character’s mouth, will start the conversation. Or putting them in a situation that they aren’t comfortable with, and see what they do. Break them out of their shell, that will surely help you see their true colours.
Step 3. Physical/ Body/ Clothes - When meeting someone new you always notice something about them, or they are just another face in a sea of people. You want your character to stand out from the rest. For example, if you were to see a brunette wearing a t shirt and jeans in your local food store, that wouldn’t be odd, but if you seen a woman with long, flowing blue hair that cascades down to her thighs, and she’s wearing a Victorian styled dress while looking at the different brands of ketchup singing death metal to herself, one would not forget this experience. You want your character to pop out. (You can have a plain looking character, I am not saying you can’t but, they have to pop out somehow, so if they lack in the physical/body/clothes area, give them a personality that no one will forget) (Just remember to make them stand out, people love characters, and will stay with a series just because they like them)
When you create a character, you have an idea in your head of what they look like, now try and put a face with them. You can draw them, you could go through google images, look through instagram; you can do anything you want to try and conjure up a face in your head. It’s okay if you can’t decide defining features as, a black puffy beard, or a scar that runs from their forehead to their chin. Simple features such as blue eyes, and a warm smile will suffice, because you are just getting to know them. Don’t rush anything, they will reveal to you what they look like when they are ready.
Step 4. Where are they from? - Where is your character from? Are they from a country here on earth? Or are from the lands of fantasy? A different planet? A dystopian society? Where ever your character does come from, let them tell you if they have any cultural or social beliefs from said place, as this may contribute to their overall character.
Step 5. What is their trademark? - A ‘trademark’ is something that would always be associated with your character, it can be something so simple, like a character who always wears a red bandana, a constant mischievous smirk, bright blue eyes, eyes as dark as the night, nails as sharp as their wit, or even hair as messy as their life.
It doesn’t have to be something physical either, they could be overly sarcastic, super chill, have a catch phrase, just something that they have, that everyone would associate them with.
Examples would be Harry Potter and his lightening bolt scar, or Hermione and her bushy hair and intellect. Other examples would be Rick Grimes and his Python Colt and head tilts from The Walking Dead, or Harley Quinn and her pigtails.
Step 6. Give them flaws/ make them human - Everyone has flaws, I have flaws, for instance, I am the biggest procrastinator I know, if I was immortal, I would put off learning languages because I would have all the time in the world, and I know I would. I am also one to indulge in day dreaming when I should be paying attention to what is happening right in front of me. These are normal everyday flaws, and these make us human, and since the majority of writers want to make their characters relatable, flaws are a huge apart of this. Flaws don’t mean that the character is imperfect, it means they are perfectly imperfect. You can think of it like this, there are always shiny new vases, but the one that has been broken and then glues back together numerous times always has a story that is worth telling.
Step 7. Let them grow - Let your character grow, allow them to tell you what they want, and when they fight against you, ask them why, allow them to talk and tell you why they want the thing they want. This might sound crazy, but characters, one they are established and have a voice of their own, they become their own person, they have their own life. They have different wants and needs just like everyone else, and when they express what they want, allow them to talk, and make obstacles to get to their goal. You don’t have to make it easy for them because they expressed they want something, if they want something bad enough they will fight for it, or die trying. So please, if your character goes against something you want, think around what you want and cater to them, because it may be pain right now, but it will create a stronger and better story in the long run.
If you wanted questions to answer about your characters, feel free to click on the link below, I have numerous posts for Questions for OCs, feel free to check them out and answer them if you want!! Answering questions if a fun way to learn more about your character, and they can definitely help you build the foundation!!
https://1856errorhasoccured.tumblr.com/search/questions+for+ocs
