Iconic! {Writing Tips}

Character

Requested by Ambrollins123
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*Disclaimer: This is all just my opinion. I have been there and done these things I may criticize. In the end, it only really matters what you think of your work*

Your character is the most important element of your story. You can have the greatest plot of all time, with daring sword fights and a dragon and a mission to space, but if your character could be replaced by a piece of cardboard... I don't care.

Characters are people! They have specific traits, habits, ways of speaking, thoughts, feelings, and dreams! No character is exactly alike just like no person is exactly alike. Think of them as zebras, each one with unique stripes.

But, Mantha, how do I make a good character?

PLAN!

If you don't know who your character is or what they want, they will fall apart like a person made of jell-o. You have to sit down and decide what their personality is like and stick to it. You can't say Arizona Ice Tea is fearless and then have her afraid of everything in the next chapter (you can change them slowly, aka character development, but more on that later). For now, establish who your character is and keep writing them with those traits.

An easy thing to do when you're making new characters is to use any kind of character template. You can find one, make your own, it doesn't matter. Write it down so you can come back to it later.

You could even make a sim! Establish their three dominant traits and their aspiration. I think that would actually be a cool and easy way to help make a character.

*WARNING- I'M ABOUT TO SHOW YOU SOME OF MY OLD PLANNING*

You can make simple character lists, with bullet points, like this early one for my OC Katherine McMahon from Wonderland and Remind Me:

Strengths/good traits:
-Easygoing
-Charismatic
-Friendly

Flaws:
-Clumsy
-Young

Or you can create much longer and more detailed character sheets, like this super super old one for my OC Blair Summers from my first book (oof):

Name: Blair Marie Summers
Nickname: Bla, Summers Twin #1, Summers Twin #2, Babe, Baby (by Xander), Marie (by Joyce)
Birth Name: N/A
Age: 16
Gender: Female
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Marital Status: Single
Birthday:
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Accent: N/A
Religion: Christian
Political Orientation: N/A
Occupation: N/A
Economic Status:
Education: High School (Sophomore)
Family: Hank Summers (Father), Joyce Summers (Mother), Buffy Summers (Identical Twin), Celia (Cousin)
Friends: Xander Harris, Willow Rosenberg, Cordelia Chase (temporarily)
Acquantances/Allies:
Enemies:
Disabilities:
Skin Tone: Peach
Hair Color: Blonde
Hair Texture: Straight
Eye Color:
Height:
Weight:
Body Shape:
Tattoos/Piercings: Ears pierced
Birthmarks:
Scars:
Skills: Super strength
Athletic Ability: Very good
Computer Skills: Okay
Languages: English, French
Fave School Subject: English
Skills Lacked:
Fears: Death, spiders, hospitals
Motivations/Inspirations:
Vices:
Goals:
Regrets:
Things Admired:
Introverted/Extroverted:
Rich/Poor:
Serious/Silly:
Intelligent/Unintelligent:
Leader/Follower:
Abitious/Lazy:
Alert/Distracted:
Rebellious/Conformist:
Calm/Anxious:
Fast/Slow:
Talkative/Quiet:
Brave/Cowardly:
Exciting/Dull:
Favorite Color:
Favorite Food:
Favorite Drink:
Favorite Animal:
Favorite Place:

I found that list online somewhere and used it for sooooo many of my OCs. Now, you can tell I haven't filled out every single thing. That's because you don't have to. Just fill out what is important or you need to remember for now. You can always come back and add things.

You are free to use that huge list, but honestly any character sheet is helpful. Especially if you have multiple OCs--having a list for each will help you keep them apart until you get used to writing them.

Eventually, you won't need the character sheet anymore. Your character will become like a part of you and you will be able to write them perfectly in-character in your sleep. But character sheets are always helpful during planning or starting off.

HOWEVER, one thing I personally dislike is when people publish their character sheets as the first chapter. KEEP IT IN YOUR DRAFTS! Don't tell us those things about your character right off the bat, show us through your writing and their actions.

If you absolutely love publishing a character sheet for your character, then more power to ya. Personally, I am not a fan of it.

Okay, so you have a list. But what do you put in it? What traits make a good character?

Whatever ones you like! You can have a sassy character, a sweet character, a badass character... the possibilities of your imagination are endless! That being said, here's something to keep in mind:

GIVE. THEM. FLAWS.

Real people aren't perfect. They have flaws. Your character should too. If Arizona Ice Tea is the best at everything, it is impossible to root for her.

For example, my OC Katherine McMahon. She is sweet, loving, and cares about people. But on the other hand, she cares too much, pushes herself past the limits for her loved ones, and is too naive and trusting.

I consider her a goddess, but that doesn't mean she is perfect.

The best flaws stem from your characters strengths! Is she confident? Then maybe her flaw is that she gets herself into trouble by being over-confident and cocky. Is she a sass queen? Then maybe her flaw is that she's sassy because she is scared to let people in.

Just be creative and do some thinking! Once you do a little brainstorming, it will all fall into place.

What did we learn today?
• you CAN make a great character
• plan, plan, plan
• character sheets are helpful, but only in drafts pls
• characters need flaws

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I hope this is helpful! Remember, your opinion on your writing is the only one that matters! If you want me to talk about something specific, comment and I'll make a chapter about it!