Character 101--How to make really great characters for role-plays

[larkrose]

Characters can be the best part of a role-play (or any story), but it can be hard if you're new to them or if you've made a lot of characters, it's easy to get in a rut. So here's a thread all about making characters.....feel free to add your ideas!

[larkrose]

Think of something distinctive for your character's appearance. For instance, Harry Potter has his lightning bolt scar, Gandalf has a long gray beard and bushy eyebrows, Pippi Longstocking has crooked red braids and freckles....

[kirsten1995]

ohh sweet! i got'ta say, many of my RP characters are from my books! (that i write) and if it's not the actual character i still use many of my names from by books! it gives for some pretty original characters!

[xnewmsx]

Shweet! This is an excellent thread. Here are my tips :

- I usually have my character's name, description and personality match. For instance, Blade is one of my favorite characters. He has a darker patch of fur shaped like a blade by his right eye, and his personality is pretty deadly.

On Halloweentown, I have 2 characters named Hallows and Eve. They're a witch and a black cat. Just like a cat and witch go together, their names fit togther as well!

- Try making your character's personality more than one-line. Instead of typing :

Sweet, caring, loveable.

Try giving examples or expanding, like :

Whitepaw is a sweet, caring cat. She always helps someone in need and has a warm personality and bright outlook on life.

- Of course, now Whitepaw sounds like some little angel, so remember to always give your character at least one negative trait!

Whitepaw is a sweet, caring cat. She always helps someone in need and has a warm personality and bright outlook on life. Despite her happy demeanor, Whitepaw can get a little full of herself at times.

[kirsten1995]

i would like to put my characters personalities, but all most all the time they're waaaay too complicated! i also think it's good to come up with original names, such as Gillhorn, Conan, Alereea (a few of my characters) other than, scaly, balto and angel, you know?

[maltlvr5]

OH I have a few

I dont like it when people arent creative and use characters like Miley Cyrus or Taylor swift. Try to be creative when picking names and personalities

I usally use the same names on each RP so I dont forget the names or get confused

Thats all I have for now.Awesome thread!

[kirsten1995]

oh yeah! i don't like it when people do that ether! and yeah, i have a few that have the same names on different RPs too! lol!

[snakeboy130]

I say try to make them unique. Like this for a wolf for example
Bad description -
A brown wolf
good -
This wolf is old and raggged. Its eyes are a dull grey but have been through many thing over the years. The wolf is very wise and gets grumpy. His fur is a worn, dull brown that is choppy. And for personalitly don't just put
Kind, loving, caring. Try to be descriptive. And not all wolves (ex) are like this there has to be some mean ones.

Also when making people try to make them normal not like models and stuff.

Try not to make charecters that are "Perfect" either. Everyone has flaws.

[xnewmsx]

I usually come up with original names. Like Kayte [pronounced kai yette] and Marleis.

I like your point, maltlvr, but personally I disagree. I hate repeating names, because then your characters tend to be too similar to each other. Because if you have a charrie named Bob in FMTK, and then you have another person named Bob in the DE, you'll get them confused. Bob from FMTK might be mean while DE Bob is nice. Eventually, you'll change them so they're more like each other, and your charries will lose uniqueness.

That's just me, personally. You might be able to do it fine.

[kirsten1995]

hmm, good point xnewns! and yes, i like to be descriptive with my character forms too, SB. though i seen to have trouble with human characters!