All The Tropes

So You Want To/Make Interesting Characters: Difference between revisions

Page Discussion

So You Want To/Make Interesting Characters (view source)

Revision as of 00:27, 9 January 2014

3 bytes added ,  10 years ago
m
Mass update links
VisualWikitext
prefix>Import Bot
 
m (Mass update links)
Line 9:
Even if you base your character on an archetype or other known character type, by all means, put your own spin on it. Not just a superficial difference, mind you. Instead, twist it around. Give them a different personality, background, loves, hates, goals, dreams, wishes and outlook on life. Exaggerate a certain personality trait, or give them a different trait not usually found in that character type, yet congruently fits in with your character's unique personality (for instance, give a dark brooding antihero a gallows sense of humor).
 
Overall, while not every character needs to be completely original, as all but [[ItsIt's Been Done|a few]] stories are inspired by previous ones, you want to make your characters ''yours''.
 
== '''Concept''' ==
Line 48:
With few exceptions, characters need flaws. When a character has flaws, [[Willing Suspension of Disbelief|not only does their personality become more real, but it also makes them more human]].
 
[[This Loser Is You|Characters that have the same flaws]] as the audience are considerably easier to identify with than their [[Mary Sue|less]] [[The Ace|flawed]] [[Boring Invincible Hero|counterparts]]. For instance, a character that feels [[Green -Eyed Monster|envy]], [[Berserk Button|anger]] or negative traits will simply feel more realistic, as if they were people you could meet in real life.
 
It's important to take care of giving true flaws to your characters. Giving fake flaws like [[So Beautiful ItsIt's a Curse]] will make your characters less believable to the audience and inhuman. This often results in bad characterization like [[Mary Sue|Mary Sues]], and [[CreatorsCreator's Pet|Creator's Pets]], things you generally want to avoid.
 
== '''This Character is you''' ==
Line 80:
== '''Variety Among Characters''' ==
 
The first step to building characters is interaction. If a group of people is traveling together, they need some similarity, for the most part. At the same time, you need some variety in how they act and think. You don't want your [[Five -Man Band]] to be five generic nerds who grew up in similar circumstances and act the same way. That's boring. You can still have five nerds if you want, but have them be nerdy about different ''things'', and then match those things to their worldview. Some things to consider:
* The character's hobbies, as well as the qualities that endear the character to the hobby.
* The Character's goals.
Retrieved from "https://allthetropes.org/wiki/Special:MobileDiff/498328"