#oc advice

[cowsabungus]

Hello! I have a character who's paraplegic(spinal cord injury, no motor or sensory ability in legs and feet, impaired sensory and motor ability in hips).

They've got powers that let them fly, but they obviously can't use them as a civilian and they're not always able to fly for long periods.

They live in a big city with a decent amount of accessibility, and the wheelchair was provided by an external benefactor with basically unlimited resources.

What kind of wheelchair would I give them?

This is a fab question!!!!

So! In my mind, I'm thinking like an active light weight style wheelchair that has some sort of mechanism that can pop out and give them wings in a way? Like something that could give them more movement/steering in the air, and transforms quickly so they can land on buildings if they have to

Like this:

If that makes any sense?

Another note- Make sure you don’t make their disability null-and-void via their super power, you don’t want it to be a case of “well, they can’t walk but they can fly so walking isn’t a problem”. It might be a good idea to think of some reasons as to why they still use a wheelchair while they’re in superhero mode, etc

I hope that helps!!

[creation-help]

Advice and tips on how to make your character feel more genuine/real

- Pettiness and shallowness. Obviously it can manifest in different ways, but IRL everyone has at least one or two little things that they're a bit surface level and "Just because!" about. Be it clothes, how they do certain rituals, what color m&ms they prefer ect ect. It can be little details or even major characteristics, and depending on which (and what) they are, it can be really telling about the character! Plus, it just adds a little extra depth and fun. Some examples including but not limited to: Being fussy over getting their clothes wet or dirty, only preferring some items because they look good, insisting on doing some action or tradition exactly a certain way, disliking an aspect of a thing or a person because they just don't like it, and so on. Obviously the big worldview points like morality and beliefs are very important, but when you've figured those out, take a moment to think about the smaller, everyday things your character feels about the world around them. No matter how good or wise a person is, they'll still always have some little thing that they can't give some profound noble answer to. Use this to your advantage to explore your character's shortcomings or flaws!

(In the same vein, Pet peeves is another detail that can flesh out a character!)

- How does your character perceive things? What do they notice about people first? How would they talk about, or describe another person to someone, if asked? How would they describe themself? And why? Just some things to consider. If your character maps out all the little details and deeply analyzes everything they see, it'll show in their interactions very differently than, for example, if they have the perception of a cabbage and are more oblivious than the love interest in a teen drama that the writers are stretching out for five seasons for no reason. Ykno.

- Additionally: what's their opinion of the people around them? Or if you've already mapped that out, what's their opinion of people they've never met before, or people who aren't in their immediate bubble, friends of friends, relatives of relatives, neighbours, or celebrities, mythical/historical figures and so on. Delve into hypotheticals sometimes, it can help you exercise your knowledge of the character. Even if none of these encounters or situations would happen in Canon.

- I'm sure you've already figured out what your character is most passionate about, ykno, whatever drives the story and impacts their relationships with other characters. But how about stuff they really don't care to think about? Just shrug? Not interesting? Doesn't pay attention to this? What is low on their priorities? It doesn't have to be negative (but can be!), it can just be "Meh", or something your character hasn't even noticed before, simply because it's not in their thoughtscape to think about.

- Does your character have any of those "What? I thought everyone did that/thought that/was like that!" - things? What do they take for granted, or weren't aware isn't a universal experience? Did they have a wildly different experience with something that most other characters hadn't even thought of? And yes I understand this is good for exploring trauma and other angsty things, but besides the obvious, think about maybe something that could be related to your character's species/living environment/abilities/opinions ect. This is great for exploring cultural differences, and anything that takes place in a fantasy setting. Very useful for villains and heroes alike! It's insightful. Everyone has small little perceptive differences or big and small thoughts that for some reason just haven't been properly challenged yet. Or brought up even. For whatever reason. Explore maybe what that reason could be, and figure out why it's been unchallenged for so long.

- Imperfections. Little divergences. It's fully possible to write a compelling and genuine feeling character using just archetypes, if you really explore them deeply. And whether you're doing that or not, think about the lines and molds you've set your character into, and let them spill out of them a little bit. Can be one huge aspect or one teensy detail, but make some diversion. Some crack in the picture. Doesn't have to be a flaw but can be! Just have some little aspects that set them apart and make the character themself. Get weird with it. Getting weird is one huge way you can truly make a character stand out and feel more unique and, oddly enough, genuine and real. Actual people have little oddities or things that don't line up with everything else about their person. And again it doesn't necessarily have to be anything big or shocking, in fact I'd argue it's even better if sometimes it's just a small, very ordinary, humanizing detail. Maybe unexpected, or maybe just something that doesn't factor into the surface image your character has. Think about characters similar to yours that you see often. What traits do they all share, or most usually have? Think about the kinds of people your character is inspired by. What are they often like? Make a diversion from that. Make multiple even? It can be the most random thing but think about it, even if you threw a dart at a wall of sticky notes, really chew out what this little thing says about your character. And focus on little cracks, imperfections, diversions and other odd details of your character. Over time they can grow bigger, or maybe not.

- Keep a clear picture of who your character is. Sounds obvious but I'll elaborate. Your character will obviously change and develop over the time you're working on them and whatever story events take place but I think it's very important to keep in mind who they fundamentally are. Basically I'm saying that try to keep them in character, yes even if you did drastic character development, you can still show that it's the same person in other ways even if one of their core traits was flipped. Be aware of what things will never change about your character no matter what they'd go through. Keep some consistency. Consistency matters alot in making a character seem genuine and, ykno, a good character. Even if that consistent trait is that they're inconsistent! The character can be that, yes, but as their creator, you should still keep sights of what's consistent for this character, you feel? If your character is a glunk of slime that slips out of it's container constantly and subsequently molds into whatever situation it gets put in, that's not really a character, that's.. Idk, plot device..? I know this may sound contradicting to my previous point but I fully think that, and this one can and should coexist.

You need to simultaneously be aware of the ways your character will differ from something and be fluid, and the ways your character will not bend, and cannot become. It's simply a matter of knowing their boundaries and restrictions, knowing which way they can lean and which way not. Obviously this'll be up to you as their creator, bc yeah you're allowed to drastically edit your character if you feel like it's for the better, but try to commit to that change then. Don't let the character slip from your hands, or let the story bend them into whatever shape it needs to make the plot go forward. Your character, and more importantly you, should be in control of that.

I emphasize the point of you controlling your character and not the other way around also. I've seen some character owners slip into "Well it's just what the character would do! I can't help it, it'd be out of character if they didn't do x!" even if the thing is completely awful, doesn't fit, or would ruin an aspect of the story. A smart writer will know how to work with your character's traits in a way that prevents them from running off the tracks and becoming their own little gremlin, while also complying with the story. Respect your character's.. Character, while also respecting yourself and the point of the story. This is even more crucial if it's a roleplay character, by the way..

I'm just saying, find ways to write the story in cooperation with your character. That means knowing what situations to avoid and which ones to steer for, in order to keep your character functioning with the plot and other characters. Sometimes you simply have to prevent some event from happening, or some characters from ever meeting, for the sole reason that it wouldn't make the story work the way it should. Or the way you want it to. You hold the pencil, be aware of what that means

[deadoveassociation]

little ways to hurt your OC

Have them be excluded and make it sting.

Give them something they want...but have the experience go wrong.

Push them out of their comfort zone and make it embarrassing

Test their patience. Have one specific thing they don't like keep happening. Use repetition but let the meaning evolve.

Purposely mislead them into believing something good is happening, then go: SIKE

Attach a bad memory to a specific food or object. Have someone accidentally bring that food/object/element up.

Bad ritual. Something they never look forward to happens and they can't leave without real consequence.

Have people keep requesting things from them, and have your OC do those things (and its a hassle)...only for the person requesting them to do stuff to not actually care that much.

Have people forget about a thing they care about

Or worse: have someone fail to follow through on a promise.

Follow for more writing tips and launch-points.

[roadrunnerrabbit]

Is it Mary Sue to have your LoZ OC replace Link as the holder of the triforce of courage? Like, he still exists, but he's not the hero, you know?

I just feel like my LoZ OC feels pointless in the grand scheme of things.

[a-very-humanyes]

HEY. Now that I have your attention, if you have ocs you have no idea what to do with them. Make something with them. I’m terrible at writing and art. But I wrote three whole books based off some of my ocs. And if writing isn’t your thing, drawing. I am also terrible at drawing, but in my spare time I like to draw them on old meme templates. But if you do post the art you did on the meme templates make sure to credit the original artist. If you can’t write or draw, give it a try, or act out scenes you think your oc could do! I have twenty seven ocs in total, maybe more idk, and I’m writing three books. These books are all in my notes app on my phone. And I’m only sharing it with a friend.

I don’t really know what I was getting at. I just kinda wanted to set someone on fire with creativity

[zr-art-world]

oc doodle sheet of my Android oc Psi

Also me working on how his hair is meant to look

[kidrunaway]

What are some trauma responses that you can give characters that isn't ptsd?

Im asking because of my OC!! If you need more details about what happened to him in order to get an idea, I can gladly tell you.

To keep it short and simple, he watched his own species get blended, and he escaped that place with scars. He went blind in one eye. I want to keep his slightly joyful manner, but I'm not entirely sure on what kind of a trauma response I can give him.

So far I have: overworking himself until he's exhausted (cause of childhood trauma not related to this particularly), insomnia as well as having frequent nightmares, and ED. For some reason I feel like this isn't realistic enough but I don't know, I'd love yalls advice.

[msvblight]

Need some assistance/advice from people that use mobility aids.

I'm working on a character for one of my ttrpg games who, for a particular reason (a former superhero using his power to stave off his immediate death as the cost of the strain slowly killing him in the long run) is now dealing with a variety of symptoms. Notably at the moment something similar to chronic fatigue - and eventually progressing to muscle weakness and degradation of motor control.

I am thinking that due to this he uses mobility aides. My initial thoughts are that some dayd when his fatigue is more prominent he uses a wheelchair, and when out and about he uses either a crutch or a cane.

Possibly progressing later down the line to using crutches .

I was hoping to get some advice on this, what sort of things should I avoid? What should I include? What can I change to make it more grounded?

Any and all advice would be appreciated, as I'm shamefully ignorant on this topic.

Many thanks.

[patchworkfox01]

So like

I wanna make a slugcat oc but I've got no clue where to even begin.

Should I make them have some sort of special trait like the others or like???

I'm in several servers but I've got genuinely 0 clue where to start

[squeegee420]

WIP... im not satisfied yet idk... any advice yall?

[oc-culture]

What do you even someone makes you feel bad about your OCs?

My OCs are literally the only thing that keep me sane and now I just feel bad just looking at them now. 😭😭😭😭 and I don't want to keep making anymore because of this person.

Unfortunately I feel you there a lot. I have been exactly where you have been! Like exactly at that place!

Just today - as luck would have it - I discussed with another mun the trauma of people just down right hating your OCs, unjustified for the most stupid reasons and offering only insults and not even constructive criticism.

I won't go too deep into it now, for that is not the question.

I will admit I still suffer under it today, but it gets gradually better - because I found people who appreciate the OCs for what they are and not what they make up or for shipping reasons.

Seriously sometimes I just go to them, asking what they like about my OCs and they have solid, pragmatic reasons what they enjoy about their writing. And I know if anything would not work with them, they would also tell me. I wouldn't mind and never did, if you have well... solid reasons.

So you need to find the right people.

It might take you a while to find joy in writing your OCs again, but it will get better and better, I promise.

You need people not blinded by their hatred, who offer praise when deserved and gentle criticism too if needed.

Shoutout to the most appreciating and supportive OC server I found so far!

[cowsabungus]

hello! i was wondering about drawing and writing elbow crutches specifically, as i’m not very informed on the topic of chronic illness or mobility aids (i’m developing a character with POTS and thought it would be good to ask someone who has experience with mobility aids)

i think you’re very cool btw, keep doing what you’re doing here!

Yessss so for POTS it may be very personal to the person, they may prefer elbow crutches or platform crutches, but overall the type of crutch doesn't it doesn't make a lot of difference in management,

For how it helps, POTS can cause dizziness, and unsteadiness which can be helped with having the support of crutches, I also found when I could walk I'd get blood pooling (bad circulation therefore my legs going low-key purple) which was painful and having something to take the weight off helped a lot. Also, because of the issue with people not considering invisible disability (not necessarily on purpose, you don't look at every single person and think "maybe they're disabled" ya know), having crutches can make it easier to get help, and access to things like priority seats on the bus etc

Random stuff you could include in writing about crutches

- ur hands start to hurt a lot when u start using them often, especially if ur putting a lot of weight on ur hands. It makes sense cos the skin on ur hands isn't made to support ur whole body weight, I found I'd get blisters and aching wrists from it

- I have known people to have a few colours (2 or 3 pairs) of crutches to match their outfit. Do with this what you will

- holding tote bags when using two crutches is at best annoying, at worst impossible. Usually u gotta use cross body bags or backpacks with both straps over ur shoulders

- different weather can be a nightmare for crutches. Dry and sunny? Perfect, delightful, no notes. Wet and cold? Ableist, slippery, fall-over-constantly. Wet leaves is the worst, along with ice

- I know people who have spray painted their crutches over and over bc they can't decide on a colour

- Those fucking things do not care where you put them. If you lean a crutch against something, it WILL fall over. This could be a good way to introduce another character, I.e. the main character drops their crutch while grabbing something with one hand or while sitting, and another character goes to help and grab it

- people tend to see crutches as an aid for a temporary injury, so you get a lot of "what happened to your leg?" "Did you break your ankle?" "I was on crutches when I had my ingrown toe nail surgery"

- same stuff as usual with all mobility aids, we don't like it when people touch without permission, some people feel the need to man handle u places, or lead u, some people are patronising, and it could be fun to see how ur character would react to those scenarios (I wouldn't say they happen frequently enough to have an experience like this every chapter, but it happens enough that it's not a fluke if that makes sense)

I hope this helps!!!!! :)

[deadoveassociation]

different ways to make a dynamic complicated in fiction

Reliance without respect | Obligation

Pop Culture Example:

Better Call Saul is a tale of two brothers: Jimmy and Chuck. Chuck is a lawyer who got Jimmy out of a sticky situation, and Jimmy becomes a lawyer to become respectable to his brother. When his brother develops an allergy to electricity, Jimmy dedicates his time and energy to bringing him things like food, newspapers, and gas...but Chuck doesn't respect Jimmy, and Jimmy is never good enough in his eyes.

Character A doesn't respect Character B. Maybe they hold a grudge. Maybe B let them down in the past. Maybe they don't trust B. Either way, B has to live with it. Explore the difficulties of being 'stuck' with someone who needs you.

2. Secrecy, Shame, Obfuscation | Association as a threat to identity

Pop Culture Example: bad idea, right? - Olivia Rodrigo

Secrets exist because the truth creates complications inconvenient enough that we decide to bypass them altogether. bad idea, right? has a line indicating that Olivia is ashamed of admitting where she is and who she's with...why? Because then she opens herself up to criticism, and compromises relationships she cares about.

We hide what makes us look 'bad.' We hide what can create doubt. We hide what has the capacity to undermine our own interests.

Character A loves [thing] because they get [gratification of some kind]. Their [community, family, friends] don't approve, but A decides to do [thing] despite that. [Thing] could compromise [something they care about] so they keep it to themselves.

If we turn thing into a person, we have a lot to work with. How does that person feel about being a secret? Will they try to mess with A by purposely breaking through the established separation? How would A react? Lots to play with.

3. Needs analysis gone wrong | chasing the wrong remedy

Pop culture example: Walter White.

Sometimes, we work towards specific goals thinking that it will resolve an issue...and it just creates more issues. Throughout Breaking Bad, Walter White frames his actions as a means to an end....but really, he thinks that what he wants is what is best for the people around him, and that's wrong.

Character A chasing something they believe or convince themselves will resolve their issues while alienating those closest to them...yeah. Lots to play with there.

If you made it this far, follow @deadoveassociation.

[scozthewoz]

Hey scozzymcwozzy, do you have any tips on how to make MY OWN silly tf2 oc?

yessarino i do, my good bitch! this ain't just regular oc advice you can look up, no no no! this is how to make a good and proper TF2 OC like a MAN.

(disclaimer: i'm not an expert. i didn't go to school for this shit, oc creation has just been something i've had a hyperfixation with since childhood. also this is kinda long.)

i always like to start with a purpose. you know, give them their occupation title and brainstorm their unique mechanics/functions, what they would bring to the table in the group. if they're meant to be a merc, that is. you can really find inspiration anywhere! you have a little more freedom to play around with non-merc characters, take a look at the diversity of the side characters in the comics! there's plenty of lore you can retcon a little guy into.

then, i like picking out a unique nationality to go with the theme of all the mercs being from different places and having their own accents and dialects and stuff. i think that's really fun. that's when i start to flesh out the actual character! their personality should usually be closely tied to their occupation. think about how engineer is depicted as sweet since his role is in support and providing things, or how sniper is seen as quiet and and introverted due to having a solitary playstyle.

their personality could also be a play on nationality stereotypes! you would expect a medic to be kind and giving, but instead he's got a classic crazy german scientist theme going on! and demo is a classic drunken scotsman.

for character design, you wanna go with outfits that fit the vibe of the purpose you're giving them. you wanna be able to at least sort of tell what they're all about just by character design. you also want to make them seem semi-suited for battle if they're someone who engages in that, so i would avoid things like overly devorative accessories or, like, high heels and stuff that would be an active hindrance for their specific line of work, but i'm not gonna stop you. sometimes the design comes more easily than other times, but it's perfectly okay to squish your little guy around like a dough ball. sometimes you even bake the bread, then realise you don't like the shape or something about the flavour. guess what! you can do it again! as many times as you want!!! i marinate mine in my brain for quite a while before i actually put them on paper. like a fetus in the womb :)

if you DO end up making a silly little oc, whether you followed my advice or not, for the love of god please show me. i love other people's ocs like my own nonexistent children.

tschuss!

[zinziinziiin]

if your oc doesn't have a hat, give them a hat

if your oc already has a hat, make it bigger

if your oc already has a big hat, make it bigger anyway

[moodyleads]

Can someone help me make my OC actually special grade? I been finding no reason what makes my OC special especially after getting criticized by friends that he isn't at all befitting for be special grade.

And I'm completely unsure how to make him special grade at all and I'm struggling to find motivation to fight or try to make Special grade anymore and I'm considering giving up on working on him and roleplaying because my friends don't like how my OC is a special grade as a first year(especially for this roleplay as we made all our OCS Year 1's for fun)

They always had a problem with my oc people always had a problem with my OC for years saying he isn't special grade but I know he is but I don't know how to tone him or anything to make him truly SG or anything of that such.

Can someone help me?