Creating Your Character

If you're reading this, you're trying to create a character.
Or trying to improve one you already have.
Or simply curious.
That's fine too.

The thing with making an original, unique character is that it's hard. Making a character is one thing. Making one that isn't a Mary-Sue/Gary-Stu, not completely stereotypical, a ripoff of your favourite fictional works, or just plain boring is another. But, if you're reading this, you already know that. So what don't you know?

Let's start off simple. Most people start with appearance. It's only natural. What you see is what you get, and appearance is the first thing you see. And, whether you like it or not, appearance is the first thing people judge you by. So, you might want to ask yourself a question. How do you want people to judge your character?

Fur colour is simple. White is clean, pure; innocent, for lack of a better word, though there are many out there. White fur is also commonly associated with blue eyes, a stereotype you may or may not want to avoid, depending on whether you want to be ironic. Black is the opposite, dark, secretive, and mysterious. Black fur typically has negative connotations, though you can choose to use that to your advantage.

How, you ask? Simple, by flipping any hint of a stereotype on its head. Is your character a snowy-furred, blue-eyed beauty? Make them just a little evil, from just misunderstood, to downright violent. Or is your character a darker type, black coat and green, green eyes? Make them sweet and unsuspecting, or loud and reckless, or just a little bit flirty. See just how many possibilities there are?

But those are just skeletons, and once you've chosen the skeleton that will be yours and only yours, you need to give it some flesh. For every strength, your character must have a weakness. For every aspiration, a fear. You din't have to have as many negative traits as positive, but it's good to have a ratio that tells you about your character.

There are some words that you can find in almost any bad biography. That is not to say that you can't use these words, or, indeed, have you character fit the bill, but, more often than not, the power of these words are abused.
Intelligent - such a vague word. Does the roleplayer mean book smart, as in knowing their pronumerals from their powers?

Or street smart, as in knowing how to survive on the streets? Or even people smart, as in knowing what people want to hear and when they want to hear it? Kind. What do you mean? Brave. Huh? Proud. It's a good word, but not very expressive. Proud of what? And why?

You see? Rather than using one word, you can use a sentence or two to explain what you really mean. This way, you and other people can be sure about what kind of person your character is, and that your character has their own flaws and strengths, just like you. And that they're not boring.

Just like you.