Post by Amani on Nov 29, 2006 0:45:24 GMT -5
Mary-Sues, Gary-Stus, one-dimensional and annoying characters...they're always incredibly irritating to everyone who encounters them. But, many people have trouble creating a character that is fun to play, but isn't one of these horribly annoying people. So...how do you create a character who is fun to play, but won't bug the hell out of everyone around you? Here are a few tips. They are not strictly rules, but you may find yourself ignored frequently if you do not follow them.
If your character is already developed pretty well, feel free to skip this.
DON'T:
DO:
If you have other character tips to share, feel free to do so!
If your character is already developed pretty well, feel free to skip this.
DON'T:
- Make your character get the hang of something unnaturally quickly; many things take a lot of practice. There is some flexibility for high-stress situations; those usually bring things out as instinct of some kind...but, if a high-pressure situation causes your character to learn something unnaturally fast, perhaps they should have a bit of a relapse when it's over. There is also some flexibility for unconscious memory from a past life or anything else resulting in the loss of conscious memory.
- Create "all-powerful" characters. Your character should have equal weaknesses for their strengths. No one wants to be around a character who has absolutely no weaknesses, but a thousand strengths...it's just annoying.
- Insist that your character is the "best" at something, unless you have many other people to back it up...and not just your other characters. If other people's characters have called your character the "best" at something, you can use their words to back you up...but still, don't insist on it. Things CAN change. Especially if certain canon characters show up in fan RPs...they should always keep their status as the best at what they do.
- Give your character an overly-angsty past. There is tolerance for this, as it can be used to round a character...but if it's so bad, he/she is angsting about it every 2 minutes, it's definitely too much. It WILL annoy people over time.
- Copy other characters in everything you do. If another character gains something that you want, either forget it, or ask if you can copy it. If that person says no, just FORGET IT. If he or she says yes, state that you specifically were given permission, and that others should still ask.
- Make your character instantly know everyone unusually well. A few friends are okay, but for the most part, have your characters build friendships as they would in real life.
- Be afraid to use minor self-insertion to round your character. Don't let it get TOO far, but a common reason for characters to be one-dimensional and annoying is because the creator was afraid to use any self-insertion, for fear of creating a Mary-Sue or Gary-Stu.
DO:
- Give your character a definite personality. If your character is just a stereotype, no one will want to be around him or her.
- Try and be original. You don't have to make your character COMPLETELY different from everyone else, but try to have something that sets him or her apart. Things get very boring when all the characters are almost exactly the same.
- Find a way to have fun within your character's limitations. It's not hard...even if your character is the least powerful in the whole RP, you can still have fun. You just have to find a way.
If you have other character tips to share, feel free to do so!