Q&A for How to Create and Develop an Original Character

No, it can be in your own original story. If you do make a completely original character, do your best to avoid copying any characters from a fandom.

This is a question I hear a lot and it really depends on what fandoms you're taking inspiration from. I’d say that the boundaries are to the point where iconic design choices shouldn’t be abused and the personality cannot match exactly.

Yes, as long as you make sure they aren't an exact copy. If the character and your OC are too similar, you did not create an OC.

Technically, yes. When designing the character, try to incorporate some of the characteristics of the parents to make the character seem more realistic.

Social media, a website, or among your friends. Be sure to accept constructive criticism when sharing.

It's actually not as tough as it may seem! You can look at characters/people who inspire you, and take tidbits of their looks or personality for your OC. Is your OC human? A boy or a girl? Short? Tall? After you get the basic details and personality down, you can usually imagine a character forming in your head.

Think about your own flaws, Everyone is different. Mix and match flaws from you and your friends if you can't think of your own!

Think of yourself or people around you! This always helps me. You can base a character off of a friend or a classmate or colleague. You can take characteristics from them and incorporate them into a character. Another idea is to just let your mind wander, create a character without even thinking, then later, after you have inspiration, you can fix things you don't like.

Yes, though be warned, perfect looking characters often seem boring and self-centered.

You can base a character's appearance off of fandom characters, as long as there aren't too many similarities. You can also get inspired from looking at people around you.

You could add something like a dark past that can sometimes be triggered and it can set the character off. This normally makes for very good stories.

Just make sure to make your character realistic; give them flaws, issues to overcome, less-than-desirable personality traits, etc.

If you incorporate it the right way, yes. Say a child is born into a happy family, then after they get older, their parents die/divorce/get kidnapped, etc. Part of the story could involve them. For example, the protagonist goes after the person who killed/took their parents away and avenges them. Use your imagination and let anything and everything inspire you, but try to avoid cliche plots or ideas.

If they aren't an exact copy of the existing characters, then yes, they are original characters. They have to be different to a point though (in both their looks and personalities).

Just keep it centered around him/her. It helps if you make the story almost exclusively about them. It wouldn't hurt to add in side characters, though.

It depends on what kind of character you want to have. If your character is a hero, his/her good qualities should outweigh the bad, and should flip if the character is a villain. Good characters are a good mix of the two.

There are multiple websites to help you think of a name. You could use personality traits, but I like to go even further. Get a piece of paper and write down 50-100 words about your character. For example, if your character has fire powers, a plant-like appearance, etc., then write down those key words. Then, use those words to come up with a name. You can even combine the name with other languages.

You can take as much inspiration as you'd like, but make sure that your original character is still original!

Any website made specifically for writing that gives the author copyright. I would recommend Storybird.

Consider things like the character's nationality, race, powers, etc. For example, a superhero can be named after their powers (like Spiderman), their suit (like Batman or Iron Man), or things like professions (such as Dr. Strange). Also, consider drawing inspiration from mythology (like with Thor, Poseidon, Herakles, etc.), or even make up some aliases. For more tips, check out wikiHow's article on finding unique character names.

See if you can divide the ideas into multiple characters, or balance them out. You can always revise your character(s) later. As a last resort, save some characteristics for a character in a future story.

Make small difference. You can make them look different, have different hobbies, even if they're small differences. You can make them scared of different things, too. Just add small differences and it can change how you view them.

Any negatives that may be redeeming qualities or seen as quirky or cute.

It's always ok to give your character a "glow up," or a makeover. You can always change details.

It's your story, and they're your characters. You chose to write about them; if you don't want to write anymore, then stop. But put that dream in storage if you do, because no one else will do the work for you. You have set yourself a goal: you would love to have a great story with some original characters; now it simply takes work. You're going to have to put in the work. If you're not motivated today, fine, have some wine, write some poetry, or watch a game, but continue in the morning. And if you keep giving up, write more compelling first chapters.

Yes, since it's completely original, including the species itself, which only makes your OC even more of your own character.

There are a lot of name generators online if you can't think of one. Usually, the names in those generators are used often so you should put your own spin on the name, especially for a fantasy story.

There is no limit to what species your OC is! It can be anything, as long as you're happy with it.

Draw inspiration from real life. Think about your own flaws or the flaws of people you know.

Well, if it's an exact copy/drawing of your friend, it's not necessarily an OC. If it's just based on them, like the same personality, bits of looks, etc, it's an OC. Think of it this way, Steven Universe was based off of Rebecca Sugar, the creator of Steven Universe's little brother. That doesn't mean he's not an original character. He was just based off of someone who exists in real life.