Creating Characters

[Aes]

I come up with my characters through some odd mix of plot and world building or just spontaneous character creation.

For the former, I'll think of a miniature story "piece" (new or preexisting) that goes well in the puzzle that is my world, like a town. I'll then think about that town, what it's like, the kind of people who live there, what they do in their day to day lives, and how they relate to the rest of the world. Then I'll kind of mentally explore this town and just watch for anyone who seems interesting--when I see someone, I'll watch them, what they do, and who they interact with and this is how a character develops. I may keep watching them, or I may move to one of their friends until I finally see someone who is suitable. Sometimes, I'll even end up with a handful of usable products. This way, I not only have a character, but this character has a place in the world.

For the latter, I'll just have an instant burst of inspiration, where I'll know roughly how I want this character to be, then try to mash them into the world somehow, but I find this to be a bit messier.

Even still, I've made some (what I think are) great characters using both methods, so just see what works for you.

[deathbeatsliving]

Well I find that when I come up with a character I usually want that character to fill a purpose. For example, i've got this tv series that I wanted 4 members in my team and I wanted one to be a doctor, a nurse and a coroner. Once you have the job or the role for them I think there are certain traits that come with the job. The job gives them the experience, shapes them and also creates a few suggestions for what their goal is.

Big Tip: I think that the best characters are ones that make a point about the world. For example, Ugly Betty proved that you didn't have to be beautiful to be in the fashion world. Usually I find that the main character has to more special than an average person because that's what makes us love them more than any other character, they stand out from the crowd e.g. Hiro wants to save the world, Johnny Depp has a priceless personality, Locke and Jack have fantastic opposites of views.

[reiver33]

I tend to (day)dream little snippets from a 'first person shooter' perspective - kinda strange as I have no affinity for that genre of games - and recalling how I felt can give me an emotional, if not psychological, perspective on how the character was reacting.

One thing I've noticed - as I don't dream in colour, although I can be aware of something being a given colour, I'm generally more comfortable with a dark/rain-swept/urban environment than bright, sunny fields.

I think I tend to start with a single character and their immediate environment as a spark for an idea and the progression of this into a 'plot' drags in others to populate the story arc landscape, as it were. I use the principle character's interaction with his world as the focal point and would find it hard to write from a different perspective.

[Blackrook]

I don't create characters on purpose, they just show up in my head like unannounced guests.

[Laiko Su Katara]

Its funny to see that I have a large bunch of characters that I create and add to the storyline just for fun while others struggle with them.

On the other hand, I struggle with the story :/

[deathbeatsliving]

I do find the creating a character process a slightly tedious process because when I come up with my idea all I want to do is come up with the storylines, the twists, the archs, the resolution. Everyone has their own way about coming up with their story but in the end each writer should write at least 5 pages on each of their main characters. 10 pages highly recommended for the character in the pivotal role.
My process I usually go through coming up with characters are thinking first...what point about the world can they make? I think this is important because that way the character can be a heavy theme to the point that the film is trying to make. There are heavy examples of characters that illustrate the importance of thinking about this when you first start to create your characters. Ugly Betty being the strongest example...making a point about the fashion world.
The other questions I ask to get the common grounding for the character before working on them in detail (biography)..personality-three main traits, their role in the story...why are they important to the story and that usually comes out with the last important grounding...what is their occupation?
I hope this has been helpful. Good luck with your work

[RcGrant]

Originally Posted by Blackrook

I don't create characters on purpose, they just show up in my head like unannounced guests.

I'm with you on this. It can sometimes freak me out, because they have a tendency to be fully formed and very vocal. It's not been unknown for it to get to a point where one or two comment on things I am doing in my daily life, or things I have seen, to the extent when I have (outloud) told them to shut the hell up.

[TyJ]

All my characters are based on the creatures around me... For example there are two dogs i see everytime i walk my dogs and the way they behave towards each other and other poeple or react to things around them inspired me for two characters of my book. Its a bit weird but it worked i think... Also like most writers : poeple... The old lady feeding the birds, the moody shop assistant etc etc...Than i make this really complex character sheet until i know them in and out... Exept for names, i never understand how to find their names...
Some stories i base around a character i like, some around a world and others around and idea ( ie freesing things or being shipped off to deserted planet...).
Except for when i get really moody and start writing randomly and when i calm down i have a very sinister character on my hands, begging to be the main star in an epic story >.<