Improve Your OC

Tip #1 - Backstories

Welcome to lesson one: backstories!

When making your OC's backstory, think of what elements are considered Mary-Sue and what elements could relate to real life. Try to find ways to make your character more believable, such as making him or her relate to you or to someone else. You should also try not to make the backstory cliche, for example, have the character bullied, have them run away from home, give them a tragic backstory, or have them become an alicorn or powerful being. Also, I would suggest not making your characters too close to cannon characters, or at least do it to an extent. For example, don't do something like have your OC be taken in by a main character, or have them relate to one of the elements of harmony. Those elements just seem to be strictly for the mane six, and it's typically considered cliche to relate your character with one of the more main characters. You should generally give basic information on your character in the backstory, and you should explain how the character earned their cutie mark.

This is what not to do when writing your OCs backstory -

Golden Sun was abused as a young filly up to the point where her parents would starve her and tie her on a leash. They would leave her outside on cold nights like a misbehaved dog. When she had finally had enough, Golden Sun ran away from her parents. She was found by Princess Celestia, who took her in. Celestia became Golden Sun's mentor, and once she completed her studies, the princess gifted her by giving her wings, therefore making her an alicorn princess.

There are a number of things in that backstory that would be considered Mary-Sue, and I'm sure you can identify them easily.

This is what you should do when writing your OCs backstory -

Golden Sun grew up in a small village bordering the White Tail Woods. The residents of the town were nearly all farmers, and living in the sunny town produced healthy crops that could earn them a living. One spring, there was a burst of rain storms in the village, and the lack of sunlight caused many of the crops to die. Golden Sun recalled one of the spells she had recently learned, one that created artificial sunlight that could help crops grow in situations like the one they were in. Using the spell, she saved many of the village's crops from dying, and she earned her cutie mark for creating light using her magic.

This backstory creates individuality for the character, and it doesn't make her too unbelievable.

⠀⠀⠀  Well, I hope this lesson helped!
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀~OpalAura