I just can't comprehend people's modern idea of what a character is suppose to be... *having brain death atm anyway*

I don't mind poking fun at my OCs, that's part of the fun in it.

@Nuke: I don't think I can survive in a world where my OCs actually existed. XD; I generally like them, of course (and some I would not like if I actually had to meet them), but for the most part, I think one of us would drive the other up the wall.

Oddly, though each of my OCs have something I can relate to, I make very strong attempts to make them different from me as well. I can't use my own nationality, for example, because I feel very uncomfortable with how close it is to me and who /I/ am. I don't want something like that to end up manipulating the story and overpowering my character, which is something that seems very likely to happen, unintentionally, subconsciously.

I don't feel comfortable with self-inserts for myself --which is why my personas are rarely human, and when my friend wants to put me into one of her stories, I generally suggest that she heavily focuses on more of my silly traits (the way I used to love cakes, or act like a ditz, or get really superstitious). Somehow seeing my flaws on paper is more reassuring to me than seeing my more redeeming qualities.


@Webkinz: But you can make realistic characters who aren't like you, ne? XD Or is that something you're not comfortable with/interested in doing?

I can write secondary characters who aren't like me at all, but even if I understand them to some extent, it's never enough for me to actually make them a main character. And then there are some characters (like female characters, for instance) who I wouldn't want to write about as a protagonist at all because of lack of interest.

I definitely agree that it's fun to tease your OCs. XD I do it quite regularly. As for one of my OCs, Terry, I guess he's the type of guy who's just asking for it, because it seems like everyone he knows likes to tease him regularly --from his friends to his boyfriends to his grandmother. XD He takes it all well, of course, and isn't completely a pushover (depends on the person doing the pushing); it's all fun and games.


@Zia: I think it's sad to view your character as a tool instead of having some relationship or understanding of them. If you think of them as a "thing" to better your story and not as a person, then you'd miss out on all their great insights and opinions that make them, and ultimately the story, who they are and what it is. I think that without investing in your OC, you lose that sense of emotion and realism.

I really do like it best when I can laugh and cry with them, even if it's "just a story." I mean, it's similar as the feeling you get when you tear up at a touching scene in a movie, except it's all the more personal because this is a story you've written yourself. I love that feeling of connection and accomplishment.

Admittedly, I love making things difficult for my OC and then laughing at the way they fret about it. Because they've gone through all sorts of things, it makes them who they are. I have one OC, Rion, who started out a bit introverted but was trying to overcome that part of himself and in the end he was involved in a lot of crazy and unexpected experiences that has made him a more interesting and well-rounded character than when he started off. <3

:/ I don't have time, but lately, I want to write again. Also, though I adore Faris, I want to make new OCs too. I'll probably add more writing/art challenges in this thread. I think it's probably impossible to keep up with all the activities here, maybe, but at least there'll be more options to pick and choose what you want to do. :D

@Aeri: Aha, that's alright, I understand. I attempted to do some more homework today, but I ended up on Animal Crossing for three hours. <--bad. I'm still doing it right now, actually. I'll probably be up for another hour at it.


@Webkinz: Ah, I see. I generally like to use themes, either for primary or secondary characters. Most of my secondary characters have to be decently well-rounded though --which can get pretty distracting and time-consuming when I make new characters.

I have one OC, Paion, and I got completely overwhelmed by his family while writing up his background. He's a little strange, but still very dear to me.

Very few lead females. XD; Ocean always accuses me of killing the mothers (which isn't wholly true). I have some female friends, siblings, family members. It's just that most of my side characters tend to be guys, because if my protagonist is male, I think it would be odd to find many of them hanging around women more often than men. Not to say that it's completely uncommon, but going by general comforts, guys like to hang around guys more.

Hm, think about it, this is quite interesting. In terms of female friends, one of my male OCs hangs around both guys and girls almost equally, while another who hates women of course prefers to hang around men. Another is shy around girls and has more guy friends than female friends, and yet another has more guy friends but gets along with girls well too. The fifth is polite to women, but is more comfortable around men, and the sixth generally has male friends due to the fact that women find him very frustrating. The last one has very little friends as it is, as is a touch too sexist to have many female friends around. XD;

Faris, who isn't any of the above, has slightly more male acquaintances. It's probably because when I make a new OC (even a supporting one), my brain generally goes, "Oh yay, another guy! :D" XD;

Some of the female characters that I do have, however, play very large roles in my protagonists' lives.

Aha, well, I have a few times. My OC, Toby, and I have different PoVs now and then, especially about his relationships. Jake always does things that make me feel like banging my head against the wall because he's so damn stubborn, and Rion... man... I don't know why smoking pot is ever a good idea, and somehow he can reverse a situation unintentionally by just being himself. I think I wouldn't have as many issues with my characters going one way and me going another if it weren't for RPs. When you write with a partner, you might not know where the story's going, and your characters sometimes end up taking your hand and leading you down one path when you thought you should've gone another. XD;


That said, I need to update the front page. :X

Um, which one was that one again?

Only the blank ones. I'm trying not to fill up the page too much, though I do have an awful habit as a packrat. XD;

Man, I still need my wuffel eye. DX