Aced

I'm a novice writer, and don't know many of the techniques, so this question is really important to me. To create a good storyline, you need well thought characters to hold it together. I normally use names I've heard thrown around for the names and create backgrounds that are tied in with reality, such as my usual main character of Daniel Lionheart, whom I based off of me but added better qualities while keeping him realistic.

I was wondering what the better ways of creating characters are. What do you do?

dwellerofthedeep

I create characters in a simple two-step process.

1. I choose a basic idea for who I want the character to be, such as: bar buddy, detective, intelligent neon sign, space alien diplomat or whatever.

2. I use this basis to help introduce my character and just write, developing personality by thinking about what seems appropriate at the time.

That's in part how I wrote my first large story. In the one I'm writing now I'm doing pretty much all the characters like that. So far I've gotten several complements about characterization from readers, so I guess it works for me.

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suzakugaiden

Samuel Delany, according to Mama Mia (or whoever that person is ) said something to the effect of having your character:

1. do something selfish.
2. Do something selfless.
3. Do something gratuitous.

I think this sort of follows:

1. Have your character be the victim.
2. Have your character be the victimizer.

And eve broader, but probably too broad:

1. Have them do something good.
2. Have them do something bad.

I guess that, in order to have a really fleshed out character, you need to show a broad range of stuff.

The problem with this advice is that you CAN break it pretty easily. Uh, I like the Harry Potter books a ton, but I think Harry -- at least in the early books -- sort of exemplifies this. He's a good student, but he's mischievous. Problem? He's too smart to screw up in the ways he screws up. So what am I saying, here? Good question, but I think it's something like this:

1. Each of the characters actions have to fit in the character. If you break character to make them seem rounder, you're doing something wrong.

2. What would be good/bad, victim/victimizing, selfish/selfless for one character isn't the same as for another.

In other words, if your characters is an extroverted, but studious and logical boy, don't have him do something blatantly stupid as an example of something bad. In this case, he'll probably do something bad that won't seem bad to anyone else.

Aced

Yeah, that helps. I normally include stuff like that in my stories, such as the MC sacrificing his friends lives to accomplish a goal(the sacrificing of firends=bad, the goal=good). THat kinda waht you mean?

KyleColorado

I would try to avoid cliches like that. They could come out good, true, but I recommend focusing on what dwellerofthedeep said.. character development.

suza's advice is something a more advanced writer should take on... since you said you're a novice, working on getting to know your characters first will be better for you than deciding what's going to happen to them.. I fell into the trap of forcing my characters into situations for the sake of plot, which really hurt the integrity of my characters (which suza's point).

Move your character(s) through your story, don't let your story move your character(s)..

Aced

"Get to know the characters'. good advice . A few of them I really have to do that with, since I have no F***ing idea about how they talk, how they act, I've only made their background and role. Any tips on how I should go about doing that though?

Oh, and any tips on creating new names? I wind up using the same names over and over again...

Dawnstorm

Fill out questionnaires for them.

A friend suggested to go shopping for them.

Learn how to do horoscopes, and do theirs (you don't have to believe in horoscopes, but they're one great character creation set!).

Now you have a reason to stay in the cinema while the credits roll. Every now and then a cool name rolls by. (I suggest recombining first and second name, though.)

Or just read telephone registers.

dwellerofthedeep

If writing fantasy or even sci-fi I like using a Terry Pratchett inspired method of giving characters names the names of things or making 1st names little more than adjectives. (EX: Solid Jackson (From Discworld))

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imrhati

i like to get to know my characters. just imagine what their like, who do they remidn you of, how do they react to different situations, why do they do what they do?

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Fantasy of You

You might be a novice writer, but you've experienced life to some degree. You know how people react, how their personalities are formed ect. You just apply what you know to your writing. Give them a personality, give them reasons for their personality. Give them a history (which you don't have to bog the reader down with) ect. Try to avoid giving your char. the name 'Lionheart' since it isn't a real name to begin with, and it screams 'put the fucking book down'. At least he's not called Henry, I guess.

When you say you add better qualities, I hope you are adding bad ones along side them. There's no such thing as the gallant, I'll-do-anything-for-the-innocent hero. There's no such thing as the witty, good looking, expert fighter, intelligent, amazing, perfect character. We all have flaws, and so should your char.

-Fantasy

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valeca

Edward Lionheart played by Vincent Price, Theatre of Blood.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Lionheart

Seventh Sanctum. Left hand side of the screen under 'generators'--names.

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Fantasy of You

You miss the point...

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Aced

Three reasons I use the name Lionheart
1) it is actually tied into the story. His grandfather fought along side the god of his world, who's name is Lion Heart(he's not human, so I think it works) and attained the last name of Lionheart after Lion Heart died in battle as a way of keeping the name alive.
2) Daniel is brave and fierce(to a point), thus the part 'Lion'. He is also kind hearted and puts people before himself in almost all situations, thus the 'Heart' part. It is pretty much a description of him, such as mt last name, LeBlanc, litterally means The White, a description of my heritage's skin color.
3) I just think it fits the name Daniel for some strange reason.

Besides, it is a fantasy story that he is in, so normal name's shouldn't matter(it doesn't even take place on earth or even in this universe).

Oh, and some of you have already stated what I do. I base most of my characters off of people I know, changing them around to make a unique persona. I was just wondering if anyone knew a better way.

G. Palmer

No offence, but from what little I actually know about fantasy your character seems rather cliche (Fantasy Buffs may be able to clarify this, but is the central protagonist being fierce/heroic and having important lineage a cliche, a stock character/archetype? Is it both?)

Aced

A) said he was fierce in brave and put() around to a point. He isn't really a hero, as half the time he puts the world in jeopardy himself. The only reason he's special is cuz he's the 'Second Coming'.

B) not really important lineage. His grandfather served alongside the mortal god, Lion Heart, is all. His father did defend the world, but wasn't important at all, as he did so secretly. The last name 'Lionheart' was taken up by the grandfather as a way to remember the god, not as a gift or privilage, but just as a token of appreciation to Lion Heart.

Lol, and I don't mean to come off snippy or anything. I'm actually laughing right now cuz I rarly ever explain the story, as no one wants to hear it(and I doubt you do either). I'm not offended by much, and actually favor criticism or however you spell it.

And, if you're having at it with Daniel, then you're going to be thrilled by some of the other names, especially if you like FFVII. Two toher characters ar Sephiroth Caine, an elven archer, and Cloud Suran, a colonal in the Acadian Military.