twilight archives forums

I posted this thread on the old forum, and it is making a return. Feel free to post here even if you already did on the old board.

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I was just wondering what everyone thought about original characters in fanfiction, Twilight especially (considering this is a Twilight-based website). You can answer as a writer or as a reader. Or even as both. But here are some questions that, should you answer them in a helpful manner, writers may be able to look over the answers to.

1. Do you like OCs in general? Why or why not?
2. Have you ever written/read an OC in a fanfic?
3. If so, did you find the OC(s) unrealistic or believable?
4. What are some things you usually do with an OC as a writer?
5. What don't you like to read in OCs as a reader?
6. What are your thoughts about OC/OC pairings?
7. What are your thoughts about CanonCharacter/OC pairings?
8. Do you believe it's possible for OCs to not be a Mary-Sue (or Gary-Stu)?
9. Would you like to add anything else regarding OCs that has not been mentioned?

Hopefully this opens some eyes or gets you thinking/warmed up before writing.

1. I LOVE OC's!
2. I'm writing one, but it's not posted as of now. I've read a ton of OC's though.
3. I think most can be very believable, depending on where their place in the story is,
4. with my OC, I like to really develop them. look into their past and foreshadow their future, instead of only focusing on the main problem in the story. it lets me explore them more, use my imagination, and really create a character that can be loved and understood, vs. one in a completely impossible situation that does nothing but complain about how horrible their life is and not see that they have a pretty good life compared to some other people. writing an original character is the real joy of writing, where you can create your own world. fanfic is fun, but you don't create much of it, the world is all ready set for you to explore.
5. I'll pretty much read any OC's. as long as they stay in character according to what the author originally wrote.
6. OC/OC pairings are great! it's like reading a new book, with some of something else you all ready love in it!
7. canon/ OC's can be good, if they're written properly. if they're not, then it can lead to confusion and anger about an OOC canon character.
8.it is very possible for OC's not to be a Mary-Sue, depending on the writer. good writers will put flaws into their character to make them more interesting. if they don't have any flaws, then where's the problem in the story, and how am I not going to get bored reading it? all OC's I've read though, do have a flaw or to. and an OC, can also mean Edward, or Bella, or Alice, or one of those people. they are original characters! until you rewrite them.
9. I think that's about it. this is a good topic though. it really got me thinking.

1. honestly-no. i don't like OCs in fanfic. there is just something about them that make the fanfic seem more...fake than usual. i don't really know how to explain it.
2.I've never read any fics with OCs. I am guilty though-i've written a couple fics with my own characters. Damaged, The Imprint, and another one that hasn't had the chapters uploaded. But heres the thing-my OCs actually make sense in the series-they could be made up by Stephenie Meyer. I think it makes it more real. (with Damaged, i made up the doctor that turned Alice-but he really could have been the character of S.M-you see what i mean?)
3.The couple of OCs that i've read are very unbelievable. the ones that i write are believable though
4. With my Ocs, i make them 'real' so to speak. i make sure that they have a past that is believable and a personality that gives them depth. usually i feel more comfortable doing OCs that were mentioned in the series but don't have names-like the doctor who turned Alice. They are more real that way
5.i don't like OCs that are very...fiction. a lot of times the OCs that i read don't have a personality of their own, but rather a spin off of a cullen or a mixture of a cullen. all in all, OCs that were completely unbelievable bother me a lot
6.hate them lol there isn't much more to say
7.If done right, they are brilliant-if not...well look above
8.it can be possible, if the writer knows how to write
9.nah-i'm good

(08-14-2009 10:11 AM)awsomealice94 Wrote: [ -> ]there is just something about them that make the fanfic seem more...fake than usual. i don't really know how to explain it.

Oddly enough, I know exactly what Ashley means here. But I can't explain it, either.

I generally don't like OC's in fanfic because:
1) if they're not well-written, they end up like Mary Sues or cliches, and
2) if they're very well-written, I would rather read the OC in some original fiction. You know, stories that the author completely made up, instead of fanfic. That way, the character can be legitimately yours.

1. Not really. There are only very few that I've seen that actually seem credible. But if they're well-written and fit into the world of Twilight, why not?
2. Yes, twice. The first had a very prominent role in the story (she was the main character).
3. I was a little apprehensive at first, but it actually turned out pretty good. It all depends on how you create the character: you have to give them a history, an opinion, strengths and weaknesses...
4. What I said above. It helps to brainstorm and get all the ideas on paper. Often you'll notice that some points contradict another and you have to choose between them. The mind is a sink -- thoughts get lost very quickly. You should always fish them out before that happens.
5. Obviously, nobody likes unreal or badly-written OCs. Some OCs are also based on real people (mostly the author) and make you feel like you're in the wrong movie. It's vain to write about yourself, and besides, nobody's interested in how much Edward would like you.
6. They don't belong in fanfiction unless they are really, really necessary. When I read fanfiction, I want to read about Twilight. If you are in love with your own OC, why not put them into a story of their own?
7. Bleh, no. There something so unreal about that.
8. Of course. It all depends on the writer.
9. Only that I also know what Ashley means. But I can't explain it either xD

1. I love other characters. I enjoy them because I think it can help assist with delima's for Bella and Edward making the story better and sometimes can be an essential plot pointe. As long as it isn't a typical Mary-Sue.
2. I have read lots of other character stories and written a few myself, New Horizons, My Turn Now, My Turn Now Series, Suprises (3rd in Can You Even Die Anymore? Series), and one i haven't posted yet.
3. About ninety-five percent of the tiem I find other character's believable.
4. I like to add them in as friends, work place people, and even once or twice my main character (see My Turn Now), and coven members if Bella is seperated from Edward.
5. Mary-Sue wakes up in Bella Swan's body and falls in love with Edward. I will never read those!
6. Other Characters and other characters cn be a good match usually.
7. It varies on my opinion here. If it was something as pre-breaking dawn with no Renesmee and you match someone with Jacob that's fine. Other Character and Edward.. not so much unless you intend on making them seperate. Canon couples stay together!
8. Yes I do.
9. OC's can be done right if a good background is given to them!