Since I have started writing fanfiction I have found them easy to create, but utterly useless for the most part. Every time I think I have a use for one I find that the same thing is possible without them. I'll probably never bother and just stick with only the creator's characters. If I want to make original characters I may as well just write an original story with all new characters.
What is your opinion on "Original Characters"?
- Thread starter WhiteShoeQueen
- Start date
Opinions on OCs and ACC's and Self Inserts vary by a huge amount, partially depending on whether talking to a author or reader, and partially depending on use.
A OC or ACC can be a good thing, if done carefully, and if really needed. The issue is a lot are either not needed, or implemented badly, author avatars, not likeable, or turn into MarySu/GaryStu's
I've seen a few over the years done well, and the stories in them are quite enjoyable reads.
The formula to good ones is simple in concept, but hard in practice.
1. Do not make them all powerful/all knowledgeable and solve or have answers to all canon issues near immediately and can do no wrong. Even if have knowledge or power, give them flaws.
2. Do not make them be little more than a author vent or lecturer to all that the canon cast does wrong
3. Make them have a full background with a not so perfect past (make them have character flaws) that not only appeals to canon characters, but to readers.
4. They must serve a relevant purpose. That purpose can vary, either to train/teach the cast something they otherwise would not know, or to tell a story from a non-canon view. Be saved by one or more canon cast members, or alter canon history, perhaps just by their presence or knowledge.
Examples of ones I personally liked over the years:
Jeffery Kevin Davis - First appeared in the multicrossover NGE/RANMA/Other story of 'Sic Semper Morituri', and in other stories by same author.
Captain Andrew Simms - from a whole bunch of FMP fan fiction stories by Steve Edwards, assumes a 2nd sub is fielded by Mithril, by a more traditional and seasoned commander that is still fairly young.
Kyle, from a series of Ranma stories by Enigmatic Magus (he went by a different pen name years ago, but has been that one for awhile). Kyle is a normal guy whom has to jump universes, after meeting Mara (Ah/Oh My Goddess), Makoto (Sailor Moon), and Nabiki (Ranma 1/2).
Pretty sure that last served as the basis for another ACC made later for a two arc story called 'Sleeping with the Girls' by Admiral-Tigerclaw, which is also pretty good.
A OC or ACC can be a good thing, if done carefully, and if really needed. The issue is a lot are either not needed, or implemented badly, author avatars, not likeable, or turn into MarySu/GaryStu's
I've seen a few over the years done well, and the stories in them are quite enjoyable reads.
The formula to good ones is simple in concept, but hard in practice.
1. Do not make them all powerful/all knowledgeable and solve or have answers to all canon issues near immediately and can do no wrong. Even if have knowledge or power, give them flaws.
2. Do not make them be little more than a author vent or lecturer to all that the canon cast does wrong
3. Make them have a full background with a not so perfect past (make them have character flaws) that not only appeals to canon characters, but to readers.
4. They must serve a relevant purpose. That purpose can vary, either to train/teach the cast something they otherwise would not know, or to tell a story from a non-canon view. Be saved by one or more canon cast members, or alter canon history, perhaps just by their presence or knowledge.
Examples of ones I personally liked over the years:
Jeffery Kevin Davis - First appeared in the multicrossover NGE/RANMA/Other story of 'Sic Semper Morituri', and in other stories by same author.
Captain Andrew Simms - from a whole bunch of FMP fan fiction stories by Steve Edwards, assumes a 2nd sub is fielded by Mithril, by a more traditional and seasoned commander that is still fairly young.
Kyle, from a series of Ranma stories by Enigmatic Magus (he went by a different pen name years ago, but has been that one for awhile). Kyle is a normal guy whom has to jump universes, after meeting Mara (Ah/Oh My Goddess), Makoto (Sailor Moon), and Nabiki (Ranma 1/2).
Pretty sure that last served as the basis for another ACC made later for a two arc story called 'Sleeping with the Girls' by Admiral-Tigerclaw, which is also pretty good.
Hmm...
I've been playing around with a couple of original (for a given value of original) story ideas recently, but can't quite seem to get them off the ground.
The general advice given to aspiring authors is to start with a character and craft the setting afterwards, however, I seem to have vaguely formed the settings first.
What can I say? It's not like it's the first time I've done something wrong, and I'll be stunned if it's the last!
It also doesn't help that I haven't really got much of a clue what I want the character to be like.
I've been playing around with a couple of original (for a given value of original) story ideas recently, but can't quite seem to get them off the ground.
The general advice given to aspiring authors is to start with a character and craft the setting afterwards, however, I seem to have vaguely formed the settings first.
What can I say? It's not like it's the first time I've done something wrong, and I'll be stunned if it's the last!
It also doesn't help that I haven't really got much of a clue what I want the character to be like.
i'd have to say original characters either work really well or flop really badly. you have to make sure they aren't the centre of your story.
for example, if i read a fanfiction that was set in, for example, the HP universe but was about "joe bloggs" - and joe bloggs isn't a mary-sue, perfect type by any means, i doubt i'd be interested unless i had some sort of personal investment in the fic. for example, seeing character interaction from an outsider's perspective is super great using an OC - so long as their backstory isn't delved into and explored more than the character interaction i'm truly reading for.
for example, if i read a fanfiction that was set in, for example, the HP universe but was about "joe bloggs" - and joe bloggs isn't a mary-sue, perfect type by any means, i doubt i'd be interested unless i had some sort of personal investment in the fic. for example, seeing character interaction from an outsider's perspective is super great using an OC - so long as their backstory isn't delved into and explored more than the character interaction i'm truly reading for.
First off, absolute gold. As someone who writes a fair number of original characters in fanfiction I've always been the sort to keep this in mind.
From other works, Original Characters, if written well, can be just as entertaining as canon characters. One classic example is on fanfiction.net. Red Witch created a character called Xi (pronounced Zai) for her G.I. Joe and X-men Evolution crossover Ronin Toad and its multitude of sequels. She used the advice above and how she introduced him was slowly and then he became quite a popular character in her fanfiction universe in his own right.
From other works, Original Characters, if written well, can be just as entertaining as canon characters. One classic example is on fanfiction.net. Red Witch created a character called Xi (pronounced Zai) for her G.I. Joe and X-men Evolution crossover Ronin Toad and its multitude of sequels. She used the advice above and how she introduced him was slowly and then he became quite a popular character in her fanfiction universe in his own right.
A good OC is one that people remember years later as a good character, long after they forgot most of the actual plot of a story.
For example, Ryo Muhoshin. No idea how strong the nostalgia filters are on him (damn, he was written at the latest in 1997 0.o), but he's pretty much my standard for a good OC.
For example, Ryo Muhoshin. No idea how strong the nostalgia filters are on him (damn, he was written at the latest in 1997 0.o), but he's pretty much my standard for a good OC.
The More Things Change.
This was the second ranma fanfiction I ever read, back in '99. The More Things Change was one of the stories that probably defined the Ranma fandom for me, and (with nostalgia filters on) is still one of my favorite Ranma stories ever.
The premise is basically that it's less that Ranma is so super special and causes women to go crazy falling in love with him, and more that Tokyo is just bizarre. Easier to just quote the paragraph from near the very beginning of the story:
So the premise is that after Ranma and Akane finally get together, the universe decides that Ryouga is now the lucky bastard who has to deal with the slapstick harem antics.
Ryo Muhoshin then was Ryouga's rival, in the same way Ryouga was Ranma's. He was such a goddamn good OC, with good motivation, well developed skills, an actual unique personality, and more.
If you haven't read it (and I am fucking shocked that you haven't, PCHeintz), and you like Ranma stories, you should. Just remember it was written in freaking 1995 (though the sequels which are also worth reading extend through '98 according to the ranma wikia), so it may be dated a tad.
http://archives.eyrie.org/anime/Ranma/The-More-Things-Change/
http://jusenkyo.wikia.com/wiki/The_More_Things_Change
This was the second ranma fanfiction I ever read, back in '99. The More Things Change was one of the stories that probably defined the Ranma fandom for me, and (with nostalgia filters on) is still one of my favorite Ranma stories ever.
The premise is basically that it's less that Ranma is so super special and causes women to go crazy falling in love with him, and more that Tokyo is just bizarre. Easier to just quote the paragraph from near the very beginning of the story:
So the premise is that after Ranma and Akane finally get together, the universe decides that Ryouga is now the lucky bastard who has to deal with the slapstick harem antics.
Ryo Muhoshin then was Ryouga's rival, in the same way Ryouga was Ranma's. He was such a goddamn good OC, with good motivation, well developed skills, an actual unique personality, and more.
If you haven't read it (and I am fucking shocked that you haven't, PCHeintz), and you like Ranma stories, you should. Just remember it was written in freaking 1995 (though the sequels which are also worth reading extend through '98 according to the ranma wikia), so it may be dated a tad.
http://archives.eyrie.org/anime/Ranma/The-More-Things-Change/
http://jusenkyo.wikia.com/wiki/The_More_Things_Change
Ah... that one. I remember reading it, vaguely, but it held little interest. I did not remember the new rival in it though. Oddly I'm horrible at remembering names.
For me, the oldest ACC or OC's I can remember are from Tenchi and El Hazard stories. For example, there was several in TM 'Kiyone Muyo!' by Thrythlind, the main ones to come to mind were a fallen Jurian Nobel whom lost her ship, and Ryoko's son. Also, EH 'El Hazard Earth' by Ken, had a earth side doctor that actually helped out Makoto and Ifurita.
For me, Ranma was actually not my first fan fiction or anime, Tenchi Muyo was. I started reading fanfiction back in mid 1999, though I started watching anime long before that, and started reading manga in 2003.
For Ranma stories, the earliest big one to come to mind for me was A Tale of Two Wallets. Otherwise it would have been BetFics and handful of author sites. Non-Ranma ones... The ones at the TMFFA, one called TM 'Mugen Tenchi Muyo' by Masaki-McKenzie and the El Hazard story called Earth already mentioned.
I remember back when Ranma and Tenchi each had well under 250 stories on FF.NET.
For me, the oldest ACC or OC's I can remember are from Tenchi and El Hazard stories. For example, there was several in TM 'Kiyone Muyo!' by Thrythlind, the main ones to come to mind were a fallen Jurian Nobel whom lost her ship, and Ryoko's son. Also, EH 'El Hazard Earth' by Ken, had a earth side doctor that actually helped out Makoto and Ifurita.
For me, Ranma was actually not my first fan fiction or anime, Tenchi Muyo was. I started reading fanfiction back in mid 1999, though I started watching anime long before that, and started reading manga in 2003.
For Ranma stories, the earliest big one to come to mind for me was A Tale of Two Wallets. Otherwise it would have been BetFics and handful of author sites. Non-Ranma ones... The ones at the TMFFA, one called TM 'Mugen Tenchi Muyo' by Masaki-McKenzie and the El Hazard story called Earth already mentioned.
I remember back when Ranma and Tenchi each had well under 250 stories on FF.NET.
I remember how I even found fanfiction- I was 12, and one of my cousins had seen adds for Ranma 1/2 in the back of one of those medieval sword catalogs and decided to rent it when he came over and visited us. I went online to try to find out how many seasons of the anime there were, and stumbled across the original version of that archive that I linked, and just started reading. The Insanity Continues was the first story I read, then The More Things Change was the second.
I don't even remember when I actually found out about ffnet, because I used to just read through the tass archive and the various .anifics pages. Ladycosmos's archive, the Ranma Crossover Archive, and the anifics forums in general were where I found stories.
But yeah, Ryo Muhoshin is one of the main characters throughout The More Things Change/The Pursuit of Happiness/8 Days a Week, and is a hilarious analogue to Ryouga. I actually started rereading the fic after reccing it here, and so far it's holding up on the quality of the writing, which makes me happy. Things like Furinkan Summer (which was more of an SI then an OC, iirc) and Nabiki New Horizon's (also probably more of an SI then an OC) are probably still decent reads as well.
I don't even remember when I actually found out about ffnet, because I used to just read through the tass archive and the various .anifics pages. Ladycosmos's archive, the Ranma Crossover Archive, and the anifics forums in general were where I found stories.
But yeah, Ryo Muhoshin is one of the main characters throughout The More Things Change/The Pursuit of Happiness/8 Days a Week, and is a hilarious analogue to Ryouga. I actually started rereading the fic after reccing it here, and so far it's holding up on the quality of the writing, which makes me happy. Things like Furinkan Summer (which was more of an SI then an OC, iirc) and Nabiki New Horizon's (also probably more of an SI then an OC) are probably still decent reads as well.