What makes it original?

[Guest]

I was thinking about this.

How do you make an original character, or create one out of somehting existing?

Post tips or stuff for everyone here!

I need help

[Guest]

Originality is merely individuality of mind.

Yo Ziao.

Well generally what makes my characters (in my opinion) original is their back-story. or

*Characterization*
Every single one of my characters has one, and exist with something more then looks. That is not to say looks are not important, after all looks reflect my story. For example, scars. Also with a back story a personality is easier to, for lack of a better word, show to people. People remember personalities far longer then they do looks, for instance, you could have not seen your best friend for years and he may look completely different, but they second he opens his mouth, you know it’s him. Just like all humans may look the same, in a given *does the quote fingers* “race” no one of that *quote fingers* “race” are exactly the same due to personality. Personality has allot to do with experience, and thus background. Whether we choose to rise above, or be dragged down, or opportunities we were given, etc. All of it affects us. Therefore, for your characters to be ‘original’ go for a good personality.

*looks*
Usually this is part is all up to your tastes, styles, etc. And since everyone’s style is fueled by different things, even if one is perfectly able to match many styles, there is one style they are far more comfortable relating to on paper. This style gives your character it’s own style, and that stylization comes from your choices, likes dislikes, fantasies, and observations of self or others.

For example:

MMX my character has a long and involved back story, but the ‘furry’ form I use is no more then my own objectionable look at myself. I have numerous favorite animals, none more so then Big cats, or more specifically the cheetah. They epitomize beauty to me. Sleek, patterned, graceful, curvaceous, sexy. I just love them. Also, I enjoy Dragons, dragons are cool. They epitomize everything I know about power, magic, mystery, and majestic beasts. And I consider myself quite the large and ugly person. I know I will never achieve beauty, I have far to many scars and imperfection on my flesh to ever hope for ‘beauty’ therefore all I may strive for is that majestic sense of nobility that men may achieve. That is, to be strong yet gentle, to be brave yet peaceful, to be loving yet alert, to be kind yet firm. And other such principles I hold high within my own moral fiber or whatever you call it. However. I can not say I would not like to be beautiful. Thus in own way, as another aspect of my personality combine the two.

This combination also reflects another large part of my personality, that is, Duality. <insert dark and painful past here> blah blah, point is they diagnosed me with what was then ‘Manic Depression’ now they call it ‘Bi Polarism’. Well I struggle with it everyday, and thus accept and yet fight it- everyday. Therefore it is a large part of all the characters who are ‘me’.

Aside from that it amounts to what your imagination is wiling to create. You are a special and original individual, though you follow certain trends that aren’t, and you even have behaviors you yourself did not come up with. But that is common nature, we learn by imitation, after all, breathing wasn’t invented by ‘people’. Your mind is what makes you separate from everyone, the one place you are truly alone. The one place no one can ever enter or see. No one. Therefore whatever your mind comes up with *is* original.

Hope this helps.

[Guest]

Ya, that's some good tips there, zioa

Another trick is... think back to situations in your own life, or people you have come across, and use them as a starting point to build your new characterisations. Sometimes you can mould 2, 3 or 4 different people you may have known together into one character, using a different aspect of their personality/characteristics for the one new character. Go for it

Cyalayta
Dingo Paige
http://dingopaige.yoll.net