How do you make characters?!

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

So I was looking at Char's writing prompts and thinking it would be fun and then I realised... I don't really have any characters!

How do you guys come up with characters? Do you just start writing and see what happens? Or do you make the character first and then the story? I've written plenty of stories but I guess they were more plot driven and not about developing interesting characters with whole personalities and backstories and relationships. They were more like snapshots into someone's life than anything too detailed.

I am kind of sad now because I want a character so I am going to go away and try to come up with one... xD

[Saraibre Ryu]

Fictional characters are like kids: they go to live on a life of their own.

When I make characters I put a tiny bit of myself in them, even if their majority would be completely off kilter. I run them through stories and they just develop within whatever story or scenario they are in at the time. For a basis I often use a single idea or a source of inspiration, and slowly build off of it from there. Using different ideas or concepts that I want to use and sorting them out to make a balanced and believable character. Figuring out flaws is often the most fun part for me, as part of me likes to figure out how to abuse them later on. Personalities can be the hardest, but that's where the scenario runs help the most. They help form the mentality of the character and it helps me figure out what works and what doesn't. Visual design is a rather hard part as looks also play into the character itself.

/end summary

[Chibi Altaria]

Fictional characters are like kids: they go to live on a life of their own.

When I make characters I put a tiny bit of myself in them, even if their majority would be completely off kilter. I run them through stories and they just develop within whatever story or scenario they are in at the time. For a basis I often use a single idea or a source of inspiration, and slowly build off of it from there. Using different ideas or concepts that I want to use and sorting them out to make a balanced and believable character. Figuring out flaws is often the most fun part for me, as part of me likes to figure out how to abuse them later on. Personalities can be the hardest, but that's where the scenario runs help the most. They help form the mentality of the character and it helps me figure out what works and what doesn't. Visual design is a rather hard part as looks also play into the character itself.

/end summary


What Sabi said. xD I looooove writing about characters. I'm great at writing emotionally character-driven stories. For me, plot comes second. Like Sabi mentioned, I always put a bit of myself into my characters. Sure, all of them are vastly different, but that little bit of 'me' I put into them really makes me feel as though sometimes they are my kids. And then I get so super-attached to them when it comes time for me to kill one of them off I cry SO MUCH. ;n; It's awful.

Often times, when I'm writing a chapter, I'll have an idea in which direction I want it to go. About 90% of the time this scenario ends up changing because my characters go and do something I wouldn't have originally written for them, but it suits their personalities. So even as stories develop, so do characters. And a bunch of things end up changing because of them. For myself, I usually come up with a basic idea for a story, and then delve straight into character designs and concepts. I find that once my characters are developed, the plot becomes a lot clearer to me because I can see how they'd act in a certain idea or situation. And so my main idea might change.

You have to remember also, the people aren't perfect. And so neither are characters. You can't write about some god-modding character, because that would just be super boring. I love to write out deep profiles for each of my characters, including appearance, personality, back-story (history), nicknames, like, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses etc. This helps to get a better view of a character and the potential to develop them even further. In my case, I also love to draw them out, making different expressions and such. It's quite hilarious at times. xD

Have your characters run through different situations, like Sabi said, and make them act in accordance to their personality, not your own. I understand that the author is the person writing the story, but the characters can't be all like the author. Everyone has a way they react to things. So do they. :D

/essayandahalf

[Caite-chan]

I make up my characters when I do role playing and then I just keep on building on them and building on them and then when I wanna write poof I have my character already. If anyone has read my fic will see Molly Franklin which is like a girly version of me. I put a little of me into a character just to make it easier if someone feels the need to steal things from me.

[Nagisa]

I seem to be on the good side here, as I find characters very easy to make. Usually when I want to create a character, I'll sit down and browse through zerochan, danbooru, pixiv or deviantArt and find a picture of a person that inspires me, then create a character based off of them, and usually the character develops a new look. When I'm bored, I also like to find an actor I'd like to play that character, so I can think about their look again.

Other times, I'm inspired by people I know in real life, even if it's somebody I've seen for five seconds and thought "that person's hair is so cool!" and then made a character with that kind of hair.

[Pokemon Trainer Sarah]

I think I tend to make my characters too perfect and boring. Maybe that's why I don't really feel like any of them are actual characters. xD I find it's especially a problem because I like the characters I come up with and because of that I don't want them to have any major flaws. D: I am definitely gonna try and work on that though!

It's really interesting to see all you guys' processes, thanks for sharing! :D

[Death's Spook]

I start off with what I call a "seed." Like, for example, "Wouldn't it be cool if my character was the best swordswoman in the land?" Then I think to myself, "Ok. What sort of things need to happen so that this can happen?" To continue that example, "Well, people don't become swords masters overnight. Clearly, this woman is a noble, with time and training put in. But if she's the best, then she needs to have incentive to /be/ the best. Maybe her family is evil. But wait. Evil noble family, wouldn't they have gotten destroyed? Well, yes, but they fulfill a function very necessary to the realm. But wait, evil noble families are evil because of the lust for power generally. Wouldn't they have tried to keep her down? Well, yeah, but there's one good family member who likes her. Why are they good? Well, they're literally a bastard child from the previous generation, so they're removed from the conflict while simultaneously privy to the family politics. Wait, why are they there? Because they're powerful enough to be respected even though they don't have a claim to the noble title." And so it cascades, with things filling in as I draw conclusions, justifications, flaws that would develop in the character's psyche. And then, in the story proper, I figure out "OK, how can I use this all to be extra mean to her?" and go from there.

[VeloJello]

My thought process varies pretty wildly, but I do have a sort of pattern. I usually get impressions first - stuff like a certain role or characteristic, usually something basic that fills a need in the story but still gives the character plenty of room to develop and even change the story. From there, I expand. If I think "oh, this character is mad a lot", I try to justify that with circumstances and personal dispositions. If I think "oh, this character can blow stuff up with a glance" I think of why that character has that particular ability in this particular setting and what sort of personality would make that ability most interesting. If I think "oh, this character is an antagonist" I think of exactly how powerful they need to be to challenge the protagonist, why they're doing so, what their strengths are, and where these strengths came from. It's a lot more involved than that, but I almost always start out with a broad idea and work from there. Some of my characters come almost fully-formed when I think of them, but that's a pretty rare luxury that I don't usually get. Even when it does happen, there's always some amount of refinement to be done, grooming them to be more believable/better mesh with the setting/more engaging/etc.

A lot of my characters come from drawing, too. I'll doodle up a random person, animal, or monster and then expand on it from there. One of my (personal) favorite original characters started out as a drawing of a goofy-looking fat dragon; I then thought to myself "wouldn't it be awesome if this guy had a funny name, was extremely upbeat and kind, and also a master of time itself?". Drawing characters tends to help me get a better hold on them, but that doesn't work for everyone. :B

I agree with the bit about putting yourself into your characters, though. If you find a character more relatable, then you're going to have a much easier time writing about them. Even if they're the complete opposite of you in most regards, it can help you to understand their personalities and motivations. Putting them through different scenarios in your head is also really helpful; it "tests" the characters so to speak, and lets you get a better look at how they'd respond to things within your story. I do this crap a lot, and because of it I have a much easier time using their particular personality dynamic in whatever story I'm trying to tell.

Personal note - flaws are what makes characters feel more real and relatable, maybe even more so than their good points. One of my characters, used to be pretty much a one-trick pony - not very personable, quiet, very kind and emotionally-smart but kinda sad. It's not really fun to read about a shy introvert not interacting with people, though, so I had to give him motivations and flaws. He's quiet and serious most of the time because, long story short, sticking out is kind of dangerous for him, and because he's in danger a lot and is very people-smart in spite of his quietude, he's got a pragmatic, cold, manipulative streak a mile wide that he has to fight to keep down and hates to use. This flaw provides conflict both intrapersonal and interpersonal, as it causes strife both within himself and with others. It makes him more engaging and relatable, as he goes from "normal shy guy" to "shy guy with a deeply-buried dark side", which a lot of people can connect to because they have characteristics that they really don't want others to see. Flaws can drive the story just as easily as good points, and they lead to personal character development which is always awesome to see.

[Chibi Altaria]

I think I tend to make my characters too perfect and boring. Maybe that's why I don't really feel like any of them are actual characters. xD I find it's especially a problem because I like the characters I come up with and because of that I don't want them to have any major flaws. D: I am definitely gonna try and work on that though!

It's really interesting to see all you guys' processes, thanks for sharing! :D


Yeah, but Sarah, the flaws in your characters is what makes you love them. :D For instance, my Torchic character Jarre is very quick to anger and easily made jealous. But he's so funny and cute all the same. n.n Rye, the Elekid, is fairly judgmental and cold to others. He can't trust easily. Be he acts like a gentleman and is very loyal to those he trusts. C: Zanna is like me, fairly clumsy at times, maybe a little whiny and moody. But she more than makes up for that in her determination and willingness to help others, no matter how hard it is.

So all you have to do is look past their flaws, like you do for people. :D

[Saraibre Ryu]

Sometimes the most random things can build characters as well. For instance I was having a Contest Battle with Death's Spook and it was my Galvantula against his Chandelure. Normally my Galvantula, Cayci, is very whimsical and happy-go-lucky, often electrocuting people she likes without knowing it. Well then she had Taunt used against her and then I decided that she was going to change to the angriest spider on a dime and kick some ceiling light's metaphorical @$$. That part has stuck with her ever since.

[Death's Spook]

Sometimes the most random things can build characters as well. For instance I was having a Contest Battle with Death's Spook and it was my Galvantula against his Chandelure. Normally my Galvantula, Cayci, is very whimsical and happy-go-lucky, often electrocuting people she likes without knowing it. Well then she had Taunt used against her and then I decided that she was going to change to the angriest spider on a dime and kick some ceiling light's metaphorical @$$. That part has stuck with her ever since.

To be fair, said ceiling light and its trainer were also being completely evil.

EDIT: Wait, that part stuck as a permanent character change? Cooooooool.

[FedoraChar]

Ooooo, this sounds like a fun discussion topic! :D

I used to write stories that were plot-driven, but I've turned to more character-driven stories nowadays. Which sometimes poses a problem because then I don't know where to take the story xD (Case-in point: Lee. UGH, MAN, WHAT'S YOUR STORY?!?!?!)

When I come up with a character, the first thing I think about is personality--do I want this character to be shy or outgoing, crazy or cool, a flirt or a freak... I really like experimenting with different personalities, and usually try to get one that's not too similar to my own (I'm kinda paranoid of Mary-Sue syndrome xD).

Sometimes, though, I think of a characteristic before the personality--like with Lee, a character I've used in some stories and RPs. I wanted to create a psychic character, someone with yellow eyes that would glow a certain color when using their powers. I also wanted someone who would be corruptible... BUT I didn't want him to be a cliche psychic, so I thought of some personalities that would be contradictory to the typical quirky Psychic Pokemon Trainer stereotype. Lee became a flirtatious upstart teenager with a dark side that comes out whenever he gets angry... (I'd like to write his own original story, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a plot for him xD)

But yeah, that's about it--personality/concept first, then I experiment and let it develop where it will ^^

[Caite-chan]

I've actually had a hard time trying to find a fault with my Molly character that I use for my wrestling story. Because she is suppose to be this girly type and the total opposite of the other girls yet the others think she's a stuck up.

[Winter]

Ooh, ooh, ohh! A topic about one of my favorite things to do ever! XD

I think I've probably got one of the oddest thought processes when it comes to character creation ever, partially because my inspiration can come from anywhere at any given time. I get inspiration from art, stories, games, songs...just about everything.

On occasion I'll doodle random people and they'll become characters because I like how they look. Other times, I may have a nameable player character in a game, and they become OCs in their own right because I get a certain feel for how they would react in situations (for instance, my Pokemon trainers Riika and Anya. Riika was the name I gave to my PC in Pokemon FireRed, and she became my first big OC when I started RPing. Anya developed from my somewhat hilarious reactions to N while playing Pokemon Black.). Sometimes I use certain attributes I want to show through, or I pull things from characters I like...for those who know my character Luna Valentine, she was initially created because I wanted a character with a ridiculously large sword like Blackrose from the .Hack// series.

And then other times I'm known for taking characters people know and may or may not love and making my own versions of them. For instance, I have a Pokemon character based heavily off of Hamlet's Ophelia, and I'm currently taking a kind of dystopian Alice in Wonderland idea and running with it. Character creation in this snese can be really fun simply because it's like "How far can I take this character and bend them without making them someone completely new?"

As for personalities and flaws...I tend to go a bit extremist, and people who have RPed with me know this very well. I make god-mod worthy characters and find all sorts of ways to break them. This can lie in morals, in powers, in drawback to powers, in how they react to certain situations, as well as a long list of other things...and as I think someone else has said before, their flaws become another way you love them...or hate them sometimes, and depending on how broken down you've made them, part of the fun in writing for them may just be finding a way to put them back together.

[EmeraldSky]

I base them on parts of me, people I know and incidents in real life

[Felly]

I get ideas from life experiences and whatnot. If I see something or hear of something that gives me an idea for a character, I make note of it & use it later for a character. :3

[Ganyu]

My inspiration when it comes to character creation is spontaneous and very surprising. A majority of characters contain a piece of myself and sometimes, they have pieces of my ideals in them. For example, incomparable intellect or physical traits. Another main inspiration is people I've encountered. Not just friends and family. Occasionally I observe strangers in public and my mind starts working its gears. I like to daydream about potential back stories of the people I see. Like "Why is that lady frowning? Is she late for a ball? Why is she chasing away crows? Is she a witch dismissing her familiars?"

Watching films and anime, playing games, or even browsing through art online can trigger something in my mind. I'm always thinking of names. And in turn, fictional people to wear these names. Naming characters are like naming children; it is a serious process that requires thorough investment and brainstorming.

Sculpting realistic personas are easy for me because the cynic in me detests Mary Sues to the core (and feels that they should be lynched). I think about how they would react in various scenarios and what might people not find likable about them. Strengths can be flaws, too! Muscularity can turn away the love of his life because he's not gentle enough for her. It all depends on how you want to have them play it out in your world.

[Suicune's Fire]

A lot of what's been described here is how I like to create my characters too. I think it's thoroughly important to think of them not so much as fictional characters, but as people. I mean, how do people function in the real world? Well, one thing for certain is that not everyone is going to like the same person. So why, in any circumstance (parodies excepted), would it be appropriate for a character I or anyone else makes to be liked and tolerated by all other characters? The creation of a Mary-Sue is clearly specific to people who do not think everything properly through, or who are new to creating fiction.

Similarly to what has been said, I can draw inspiration from nearly anywhere and everywhere, although some places more than others. I do like to observe people in public and wonder about their lives. It's very interesting, and it's also why I think psychology is useful in the circumstance of creating characters. The more about humans you can understand, the better you're going to be able to create ones of your own (or other species with humanistic traits).

It's been ages since I created any new characters though! I need to get back into writing.