Creating an Original Character in English

Creating an original character, or “OC” for short, can be an exciting and rewarding experience. Not only does it allow you to explore your creativity, but it also gives you the opportunity to develop a one-of-a-kind persona that represents your personality and interests. However, with so many possibilities out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. Fear not, as this article will provide you with helpful tips on how to make an OC in a relaxed and easy-to-understand manner.

The process of creating an OC is all about bringing your imagination to life. Whether you want to draw your character, write a story about them, or simply have them as a concept, it all starts with a basic idea. This idea could be inspired by a favorite TV show, book, or video game character, or it could be something entirely original. Once you have a general concept in mind, you can start fleshing out the details, such as their appearance, personality, and backstory. By taking your time and allowing your ideas to flow naturally, you can create a compelling character that is truly your own.

What You’ll Need to Create Your OC

Creating an original character, or OC, is a fun and rewarding experience that can allow you to express your creativity and imagination in a unique way. To make your own OC, you’ll need to have several tools at your disposal, including:

A Sketchpad and Pencils

Before you start creating your OC, it’s important to have a sketchpad and pencils on-hand to sketch out your ideas. These tools will help you to visualize your character and get a sense of their overall look and feel.

Reference Materials

When creating your OC, you’ll need to have access to reference materials to draw inspiration from. This can include things like books, movies, TV shows, video games, and more. Use these materials as a starting point to help you develop your character.

A Story or Concept

Every great OC has a backstory or concept that gives them depth and meaning. Before you start doodling, take the time to develop a story or concept that will help bring your character to life.

A Unique Design

A key aspect of any OC is their design. To make your character truly stand out, you’ll need to create a unique design that captures their personality and characteristics.

Personality Traits

A good OC should have a distinct personality that sets them apart from other characters. Brainstorm a list of personality traits that you want your character to have, and use these traits as a guide when designing their attributes and backstory.

A Color Palette

When designing your OC, it’s important to choose a color palette that reflects your character’s personality and characteristics. Use colors that complement each other and capture the overall essence of your character.

An Outfit

What your character wears can say a lot about their personality and backstory. Take the time to design an outfit that fits your character’s unique style and personality.

Abilities and Powers

Every great character has something that sets them apart from others. Give your OC unique abilities and powers that fit with their backstory and personality.

Weaknesses and Flaws

Even the strongest characters have weaknesses and flaws. Think about what weaknesses and flaws your character may have, and use them to make them more relatable and interesting.

A Name

Last but not least, your character needs a name that fits their personality and backstory. Spend some time thinking about the perfect name for your OC, and use it to help bring them to life.

Section 2: Tips for Creating an OC That Stands Out

1. Get Inspired

To create a unique character, it’s essential to draw inspiration from the world around you. Whether it’s a person you’ve met, a story you’ve read, or an experience you’ve had, take note of the things that captivate you. These can serve as the building blocks for your OC’s personality, backstory, and physical appearance.

2. Develop a Backstory

One key element of creating a compelling OC is developing a backstory that explains who they are and how they came to be. Your character’s backstory should be believable and tie into their personality and motivations. Consider the type of world they live in, their family background, and any significant events that have occurred in their life.

3. Create a Distinct Personality

Your OC’s personality should be unique, consistent, and believable. Think about their likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses, and how they react to different situations. It’s important to avoid creating a character that is one-dimensional or stereotypical.

4. Consider their Appearance

Your OC’s appearance should reflect their personality and backstory. Think about their physical characteristics, their style, and any accessories or clothing they might wear. It’s important to make sure their appearance is believable within the context of the world you’re creating.

5. Decide on Abilities and Skills

Your OC’s abilities and skills should be consistent with their personality and backstory. Think about what makes them unique and what sets them apart from other characters. It’s important to avoid creating a character that is too overpowered or lacks any discernible strengths.

6. Flesh out Their Relationships

Your OC’s relationships with other characters should be realistic and believable. Think about their family, friends, and romantic interests. It’s important to avoid creating a character that is isolated or has no meaningful connections with other characters.

7. Give Them a Goal

Your OC should have a clear goal or purpose that drives them forward. Think about what they want to achieve and what motivates them. It’s important to avoid creating a character that lacks direction or doesn’t have a meaningful place within the world you’re creating.

8. Test Them in Different Scenarios

To make sure your OC is well-rounded, try placing them in different situations and seeing how they react. Think about how they would respond in high-stress situations, interpersonal conflicts, and everyday interactions. This will help you further develop their personality and character traits.

9. Avoid Over-Complicating Things

While it’s important to have a well-rounded and unique character, it’s also important not to over-complicate things. Avoid giving your character too much backstory or making them too difficult to understand. They should be easy to relate to and understand.

10. Refine and Edit as Needed

Creating a great OC takes time and effort. Once you have a basic idea of who your character is, take the time to refine and edit them as needed. Get feedback from others, make adjustments to their backstory or personality, and make sure they fit in well with the world you’re creating.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your OC

Now that you know what an OC is and why creating one is so popular, it’s time to start crafting your own unique character. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you create the perfect OC:

1. Choose Your Genre

The first step in creating your OC is choosing the genre, or setting, in which they will exist. This will help you determine their personality, appearance, and abilities. Ask yourself questions like: will your OC exist in a fantasy world, or a sci-fi universe? Will they be superheroes, villains, or something in between? Once you’ve decided on the genre, it’s time to move on to the next step.

2. Develop Personality Traits

Personality traits are an essential part of your OC, as they define who they are and how they react to situations in your story. Think of your character as a real person — what are their likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses? Are they shy, outgoing, or somewhere in between? It’s important to have a solid understanding of your OC’s personality traits before moving on to physical attributes.

3. Create Physical Attributes

Now that you know your OC’s personality traits, it’s time to give them physical attributes. What do they look like? What color is their hair or eyes? Are they tall or short, thin or muscular? The possibilities are endless, but it’s important to keep your character’s personality in mind when creating their physical attributes. For example, if your character is shy, they may opt for more muted clothing styles and avoid bright colors.

4. Develop Abilities and Skills

Abilities and skills are key components of any OC, as they often determine their role in the story. Will your character have supernatural powers, or are they more like an ordinary person with a unique talent? Are they a skilled warrior, or do they excel in advanced technology? Consider your character’s genre and personality when developing their abilities and skills.

5. Name Your OC

Finally, it’s time to name your OC. This may seem like a small detail, but it’s an essential part of their identity. Choose a name that reflects their personality and fits the genre in which they exist. Avoid using a name that is already popular in the genre, as this can lead to confusion and unnecessary comparisons.

Creating an OC can be a fun and exciting process, and with these steps, you’ll be able to craft the perfect character for your story. Remember to stay true to your OC’s genre, personality, and abilities, and you’ll have a fully-fleshed out character in no time. Happy creating!

That’s it. Make your own OC today!

Congratulations! You’ve just finished reading about how to make an OC. Whether it’s for writing a fanfiction story or just for fun, it’s always good to flex your creativity. If you’ve made one or have any other tips, don’t hesitate to share it with us in the comments below. Thank you for reading, and make sure to come back again for more fun and interesting topics. Keep the creativity flowing, and have a great day!