Oc Asks: Character Design Edition

oc asks: character design edition

FACE & FEATURES

glance: At first glance, what stands out most about your OC's appearance? What's their distinguishing feature?

face: Describe your OC's face. What's their smile like? Are their orbs cerulean? What would someone notice first when looking at them?

stature: What's your OC's body type? How tall are they? Do they wear clothing to accentuate their look or do they try to mask it?

motion: How does your OC move? How does their clothing help or hinder their range of motion? Are they flexible, coordinated, clumsy?

stillness: How does your OC act while still? Are they fidgety? Do they have any common gestures or tics? Does their clothing affect how they hold themselves while at rest?

canvas: Does your OC have any scars, piercings, tattoos, or other markings? Do they display or cover them up at all?

CUT & CLOTHES

night: What does your OC wear to sleep? Do they have a favorite pair of PJs, or are they more the birthday suit type?

day: What does your OC wear on a normal day? Why do they default to those clothes? Do they wear similar things, or do they change it up?

formal: What's your OC's formal look? Do they like dressing up? Do they have different looks for different occasions?

informal: What's your OC's lazy-day look? How do they like to dress when they're winding down?

outerwear: What's your OC's outerwear situation? Jacket, sweater, cloak? What sort of weather do they deal with most and how do they protect themselves?

footwear: What does your OC wear on their feet?

road: What does your OC wear while traveling? Do they have high-quality equipment, or are they making do? What does their gear look like?

armor: What kind of armor does your OC wear? Is it well kept? Bonus: where does it come from? Is there a story behind it?

arms: Does your OC have any weapons? What weapons do they carry, and how do they wear them when they're not fighting?

roots: Is your OC's look inspired by any specific style of clothing or fashion trend? What are the roots and/or inspiration for their look?

texture: Does your OC favor any specific kinds of cloth or textures? Is there anything they can't wear or don't like? What sort of fabrics do they prefer?

wardrobe: How big is your character's wardrobe? Do they wear things threadbare, or can they afford new clothes often? Are they any good at mending and repairing their own clothing?

ACCESSORIES & ACCENTS

bling: What jewelry does your OC wear? Does it have any meaning?

hair: How does your OC wear their hair? Does it have some kind of meaning?

makeup: Does your OC wear makeup? How often? What kind? Why do they wear makeup, and do they like it?

favorite: Does your OC have a favorite article of clothing or accessory? What is it? What's the meaning behind it? Do they wear it all the time or do they wear it sparingly to keep it safe?

change: Has your OC ever drastically changed their appearance? Significant haircuts, big tattoos, complete wardrobe swap, etc? Why? How do they feel about the change?

alternate: What would your OC's alternate universe look be? If they're a fantasy character, what's their modern look? If they're sci-fi, what's their fantasy look? What AU would you want to see your OC in, and how would they dress themself? Bonus: Prompt an AU!

Team building

Guide to Drafting

Patreon || Ko-Fi || Masterlist || Work In Progress

–

Planning v. Discovery

The first thing you must decide when you embark on the journey of drafting a story is how you’re going to get it done. Typically, there are two groups you can fit into, though most writers are somewhere in between. There are writers who plan meticulously before they begin writing to create a very clean first draft, or there are discovery writers (otherwise known as “pantsers”) who find more success in choosing a premise and then using a zero draft to explore the idea before gluing down any details. You are most likely someone who falls between those two methods. Some initial planning to feel familiar with your idea before you do some of the planning through the writing itself. Having some semblance of a method will help you narrow down your own process, which is immensely important if you want to get any substantial project near completion.

Keep reading

🎃Trick or treat!💀

--@oh-no-another-idea

Thanks for the ask, @oh-no-another-idea!!!

Treat! 🎃

This is the last one of these in my inbox, I know I was late to answer it, but in the spirit of Halloween, have a smol spooky snippet from Tales of Wilted Flowers!

The dead forest was eerie - filled with the kind of silence where things appear louder than they should ever be. They could hear everything, and yet, not enough. It felt like... death. Something terrible had happened in this place, this they knew. And the echoes of what once was still haunted the ruins that remained in an endless winter. As the last threads of rageful spirits. mourning what was taken from them. Every they took upon this ashen, barren soil felt wrong, dangerous. No one was supposed to be here. The wind whistled as it curved around twisted branches, a cold, soulless chill passing through them. Cinder-covered snow crunched beneath the soles of their boots, though the air was dry as a desert. And yet, the ruins they sought remained out of reach - that is presuming they managed not to get lost beforehand. "Are you sure we are on the right track?" Caladin asked tentatively, wincing at how his hushed voice seemed to echo even so. He scratched the back of his neck, awkwardly. "... Because I'm sure whatever terror is inside these ruins certainly is not a good way to die." There was a pause, for a moment, but not for long. Arista looked over her shoulder, still carefully holding up the torch that was lighting their way as their group all but waded through the forest's thick fog. "No, I'm not sure. But I grew up on tales of this place - or at least, of what this place used to be before... all of this." She gestured outwards towards the fog-filled wastes, skipping over a gnarled root. "If we're lucky, and our suspicious friend back in the city was telling the truth, we might just make it out alive. At this point, blind luck seems to be our charm."

Happy Storyteller Saturday! Which of your characters is the least like you and why do you like them despite your lack of similarities?

Thank you for the Ask, @lassiesandiego!

I'm one of those writers who likes to say that most of my good characters have a small "piece of myself", except for most villains of course, as it makes writing them much easier and allows me to understand their motives better!

That being said, I would say that, out of all my main WIPs, the characters that are the least like me are: Azra Moorsworth (The Last Wrath), Faellyn Ellara (Tales of Wilted Flowers), and Clarence Van Sterlling (Enchanted Illusions).

DISCLAIMER: What is listed under "differences" is merely a comparison between my characters and my own personalities. Neither traits are "right" nor "wrong", as I am simply stating the contrasts between me IRL and the characters I have created for my stories! (:

Now, as for why they're so different from me and why I like them despite the personality differences!

AZRA MOORSWORTH -

(Differences) - Azra is much meeker/insecure than my personality - he prefers to avoid conflict (by "conflict" I don't mean fights, but facing challenges and things that get him out of his comfort zone), and is much more extroverted than me - I could never dream of reaching his level of extrovertedness. If we were to use the Enneagram to define this difference in personality, Azra is a Type 4 (the Individualist), while I am a Type 8 (the Challenger), having fundamentally different outlooks as well!

(Why I Like Him) - Azra is an incredibly positive character, especially when it comes to cheering others up and making sure everyone around him is having a good time - traits that I aspire to try and improve in my personality as well. He is also selfless when need be, despite all his fears, personality and instincts telling him to run the other way he chooses to stand for what he and his siblings believe in if that is truly necessary, despite the dangers and cruelty of the world he lives in. He is, fundamentally, a cinnamon roll, and one of the purest characters in TLW when it comes to a moral compass - I can't help but adore him!

FAELLYN ELLARA -

(Differences) This is a curious one, as she does share similarities with me, but not nearly as much as the other members of the main cast. I would say that the main difference between her and me is that Faellyn is incredibly forgiving - even when she should not be, too forgiving for her own good - and has a patience level that I aspire to have one day. Believes in the best in other people, even when other people have proven her wrong. Her Enneagram is Type 7 (The Enthusiast)

(Why I Like Her) Honestly, what's not to like? She's sweet, funny, bubbly, and has a great sense of justice! Despite being impulsive and reckless at times, she has an ongoing drive to do what is right for others, especially for those she cares about. She has a big heart, and is almost always the smile in the room! She's diplomatic and intelligent, as well as tricky when it matters. I also find it incredibly endearing and satisfying to write and show how much she grows throughout the story, becoming more mature and wise without losing the merciful and sweet side that makes her who she is.

CLARENCE VAN STERLLING -

(Differences) While I am somewhat introverted, I would say that he is 1000% more introverted than me. Clarence is very quiet, preferring not to talk as much, and liking extended periods of being by himself - while, in comparison, I am very talkative to those I consider my friends, and don't quite feel comfortable in extended periods of solitude. Another key difference is that, due to his vampiric upbringing, Clarence is also very naive/sheltered as to the ways of the world, being almost (if not completely) clueless as to how the human world and its inhabitants work. Clarence is firmly an Enneagram 1.

(Why I Like Him) He is very endearing and polite, and despite not really understanding all the new human things surrounding him he tries his best not to be rude or scary towards anyone, despite having the ability to do so. Clarence is also intelligent, wickedly clever, and something of a prankster if given the chance! Honestly, writing about him navigating the human world with the help of his newfound friends and his sorcerer girlfriend, is one of the most adorable things I have written!

I hope this answers your questions! (: