Here's a place for us to discuss our creative processes. How did you come up with your character(s). How many characters are you playing?
Are you a writer? Do you write fan fiction?
Someone mentioned that there character did something that they hadn't foreseen in their plans. Has this ever happened to you?
45 comments:
Well, copying bits of my posts from the original thread:
I'm Icarus Colby the rebel on MiM and Wren Brockett the Voldemort supporter on Facebook. Wren is an employee and friend of Icarus. They don't interact "on-screen," but they do reference each other's actions. (Ex. Icarus moved a LtS post-it to the apothecary door; Wren found it and burned it)
I created both of these characters specifically for Magic is Might. There seemed to be a deficit of good "bad" characters and bad "good" characters, so... Icarus and Wren happened. Icarus is reeeally prejudiced, but he supports the Rebellion, and Wren is actually a very decent person driven to Voldy's side by fear.
Also, I think I was the person who mentioned characters having a mind of their own. Icarus was originally intended to be very Snape-like and stay neutral for the whole game, but... well, that didn't happen. Wren was supposed to be more distanced from the Death Eatin', but the recent massacre RP changed all that. As things stand, I'm planning to have one of them die and one become a double agent before MiM is over, but this may very well not happen. That's the fun of it!
Right-o, novel length post over now. Sorry!
Wren, Your characters sound very complex, which is great. That's what I love about Harry Potter...very complex characters. I get very confused about I feel about certain characters. And I think emotional confusion can be a good thing. It helps us grow.
It sounds to me like neither of your characters are villains, at least not in the vein of Umbridge or Bellatrix. They're more like most people on our planet; a mixture of good and bad.
I love when characters end up surprising us. I used to write a lot of fiction, and that would happen sometimes. You plan on one thing happening, and then something else happens.
This is the first time (since childhood) that I've participated in group-created fiction. With this, I think there's even more chance of a character taking a detour from it's destiny. You can have your character's whole future planned out; then his or her interactions with others totally changes that.
Complex characters are the most compelling thing to me - I have fairly fleshed out backstories for lots of minor HP characters because I tend to do little "character studies" of them.
I certainly don't think they're villains either. They're both pretty good people, actually, in my opinion. They're just... gits some of the time.
I think that characters with "minds of their own" are signs of really good characterization. There's even more potential for it in RP, because your character can be thrown into situations you weren't expecting. This is my first time /ever/ participating in something like this, and I'm loving it to death. Also, I've just realized that your last paragraph said almost exactly what I did a few sentences ago. Great minds think alike?
On a related note, (I do like to talk, don't I?) I'm interested in the way the writer's real life affects the characters. My social psychology class, for example, is driving a lot of my character focus in MiM. We covered prejudice today, so I'm having lots of fun with bigoted!Icarus.
Well, my character, as mentioned many times before already, is -A. She's a full-on Rebel and she is on the run, trying to get in contact with the Order (currently).
When I first saw that this experience is going to take place I was a bit exited. It had been ages since I last read the books and besides the movies I had no connection to Potter. So you can imagine my glee when I found the MiM. At first I had no intentions to play a certain character, but I started by commenting under the name -A. (taken from one of my favourite TV shows, Pretty Little Liars - if you don't know it, I can explain later) and from there it evolved into a character that -A. is now. On the MiM page no one knows who I really am, but on Facebook I didn't bother making a special page for my character so I just added "-a in mim" to my real name so that people would know who I am at MiM page and recognize me there. On FB when someone names me they use my real name, but they kinda know that I'm sort of RP, so it's cool.
As o my character going unexpected roads - the camp breaking up (go read my biography) I did not intend at first but since I wasn't on internet for periods of times I thought it better to somehow explain it through my character so I made her run and hide.
I do have a lot of fun playing her, because she is everything I am not, so I sort of live my dreams through her. She's very smart, funny, extremely talented and very brave - all of which I am not in real life. She kind of completes me and I can't think of having to give her up when this experience is over. I don't know yet where she will be heading, if she will eventually end up in Hogwarts Battle, or dead somewhere or alive and well... all of that depends on how others interact with me. We'll see yet what she has to offer us.
-A.
My character came from the depths of my frustrations with others. I was frustrated with several rebellion members acting in a way I felt unrealistic. Susannah, was me attempting to create a somewhat realistic portrayal of what at muggle born would be doing during the war, at least what I would do.
She's a bit of a contradiction,
She is outraged at the treatment she's receiving but terrified of the ministry and the Dark Lord.
She's terrified and yet too stubborn to flee the country.
She's cynical about the Rebellion's chances but convinced violence is the only way.
She doesn't want any of her loved ones to be hurt, but she's terribly lonely.
She want's to be treated the same as the pure bloods but is convinced no pureblood could ever understand what she is going through, or has been through.
It pleases her when younger wizards stay out of the fight. She feels the war is the result of adults mistakes and hates that the next generation must suffer. She's got a quick tongue and a sharp wit. She grows attached to people quickly, especially eccentric people. She's extremely loyal. She finds strength by reflecting back on days when she didn't have to defend herself her magic.
She gets angry quickly and can't stop her own temper when she gets going. Her cynicism and loneliness is giving her a bit of an abrasive tone these days but she's fighting as hard as she can to stay up beat. She tends to have an almost reverse prejudice against pure bloods. She doesn't understand why any of them would want to help her and she's not the most trusting. Another way to upset her is to make light of the You Know Who. She doesn't want anyone to underestimate what they are up against.
She does carry a few of my personality traits. I'm a problem solver and like her I have a very "one foot in front of another" type of attitude. The temper and sometimes overly strong reactions are also mine.
Her name came from the Salem witch trials. Susannah was one of the girls killed for witchcraft and Coten Mather was one of the attorneys. So while Suss is English her name reflects her author American heritage.
The quote I based some of her personality off is from V for Vendetta:
"It seems strange that my life should end in such a terrible place, but for three years I had roses and apologized to no one. I shall die here. Every inch of me shall perish. Every inch, but one. An inch. It is small and it is fragile and it is the only thing in the world worth having. We must never lose it or give it away. We must NEVER let them take it from us. I hope that whoever you are, you escape this place. I hope that the worlds turns, and that things get better. But what I hope most of all is that you understand what I mean when I tell you that, even though I do not know you, and even though I may never meet you, laugh with you, cry with you, or kiss you, I love you. With all my heart, I love you. "
My character Mia is evrything I wish I was and everything I'm not. Mia is what I hope I would be if this was really happening. She's quick witted and has a sharp tongue. She's a Ravenclaw, so she's always looking for logic. She sassy, caring, and brave to a fault. Mia's also vey sarcastic. Originally, I had planned for her to be a Gryffindor who didn't go back to Hogwarts because it was too dangerous. But now she's out at Hogwarts fighting the Carrows. She lets me embrace a side of me that probably doesn't exist. I can't imagine not being her. I'm going to be so sad when this is over.
Wren: Great minds do think alike!
I love what you say about our real lives slipping into our stories. I think that happened with JK Rowling writing the novels...her mother's death and her depression. Do you ever find that you learn things in class at exactly the right time...you learn something and it fits perfectly into what you need for the story?
A: You cracked me up when you said. "She's very smart, funny, extremely talented and very brave - all of which I am not in real life. " So you're this very unintelligent, not funny, untalented, cowardly person?
I can't say I agree with that. At least from your writing, I can tell you're very smart and you made me laugh by claiming that you're not....so there. You're funny. You have writing talent at least. You might have other talents. That wouldn't surprise me. I also have a feeling you're more brave than you imagine.
The truth is an unintelligent person with a bad sense of humor could never create a smart and funny character.
Yeah. It's going to be hard giving up these characters. I was planning to do a lot of crying in July anyway. Now we have more reason to add to the July-tear fest.
I think it's neat that you don't know your character's future yet. Mine came to me in a rush, but I could end up changing it....depending on what happens.
Sc Mather: I love the V for Vendetta Quote. Thank you for sharing it!
What did you think was unrealistic in other people's portrayals? Did you mention it on the MIM page? I remember someone saying something. It was along the lines of the rebellion wouldn't be knowledgeable. Was that you?
I think it's easy to forget that our characters didn't read seven novels about the situation.
I think your character has contradictions, but they make sense. The only one I don't understand is "She want's to be treated the same as the pure bloods but is convinced no pureblood could ever understand what she is going through, or has been through". Do you mean she wants to be treated as being superior? Or do you mean she wants to be treated fairly and with respect? OR...something else?
To me, your character seems like the type of person needed in a rebellion, strong, determined, and maybe a little abrasive.
I love that history was inspiration for your character's name.
Mia Bellatria: You sound like A. Both of you don't give yourselves enough credit! How in the world can your character be quick-witted and have a sharp tongue if her creator didn't have one? She is a part of you. She may be buried deep inside, but she's still there.
Yes, it will be sad when this is over. But the characters will live on in some way....sort of.
The real me:
First of all I was frustrated by how "in the know" everyone was. Before Sus says something I try to justify how she would know it. If it feels like a stretch I drop it. Second of all, I realize some people may have this attitude, but if I were being treated the way many of our characters are I would not be calm, confident, and secure in the knowledge of good over evil. I'd be scared sh**less. I'd want to go home and curl up on the couch and pretend it wasn't happening. I would be paranoid, and seeing a snatcher behind every bush.
What I was driving at in the quote you mentioned was a feeling that no person who isn't a muggle born could possibly understand what she's going through. It's a rather selfish feeling. Like an, "unless you've been hunted, treated like an animal, been trapped in a house letting someone else fight for you don't try to understand me" type of thing. It's not an unreasonable attitude but it's not a good attitude.
Sc Mather:
Oh. Okay. I understand you now. I think it's a very common trait in people who've had a hard life.
SC,
Your character is fascinating. I really like how realistic her contradictions are - I've seen that "You can't possibly understand" attitude in lots of people.
My characters are sort of the result of frustrations with other players as well. Not every Death Eater is Bellatrix Lestrange. Not every rebel is Tonks. There are going to be terrified people and conflicted people in every situation.
Mia,
Both my characters are out of school, but the Hogwarts RPing looks like so much fun.
I really hope this continues past the war being over. I want to keep in touch with people I've met, as well as explore what my characters will do with themselves in the aftermath of Voldemort's defeat. (If they survive, that is.)
Mis Muggle,
Could we possibly have a place to share stories and other character art?
@The Real Me:
Thank you so much for saying that :D
I didn't exactly mean that I'm all of that which my character is not... or the other way around.. or... oh I don't know.. *confused*. Anyway, I just ... I happen to be shy, quiet, sit-behind-the-computer-all-day-long kind of girl who just... doesn't always feel like doing something cool or brave or funny etc.. I guess I must be good at writing, at least to some extent... who knows.. maybe you'll be reading a book I wrote sometime in the future.. ? :)
A,
I bet I WILL someday be reading a book you've written...or maybe a whole series ; )
I think many writers have less adventurous lives than their characters.
Wow, you guy's are epic. :)
I have two characters: Annikia Longbottom and Alyssa Jackson.
Annikia Longbottom was kind of a random character I came up with when I wanted to reply to something. She was a misguided Ministry supporter. She then found out the truth about a number of things and joined the Rebellion. I have big plans for her, including (Spoiler) Dieing in the Battle of Hogwart and finding out her boyfriend was still alive, held in a containment cell at the Ministry as a sort-of blackmail hostage. (/spoiler)
My other character, Alyssa, is a die-hard Death Eater who loves 1. Blood and 2. Death. She's probably going to die, too, in some sort of ironic situation.
I fully suspect something to happen to my characters that I don't want too, so don't count on the above info.
Yes, I am a writer. I do write FanFiction, which is like, my religion.
PopcornLvr,
I love the twist in your story, but I want to give you a virtual slap for the spoilers!
I've seen Annikia around, but I can't remember seeing Alyssa.
I wonder if many people created a character just to respond to something. Maybe it's a common thing. We create a character just to respond, and then suddenly he or she has a whole storyline.
Do you write a lot of Harry Potter fan fiction? Are you one that sticks to Canon, or do you like to change things around? Do you write any other types of fan fiction?
Well, I look forward to seeing what happens to Alyssa and Annikia. Will they end up where you had planned, or will they rebel?
It's not really spoiler as much as it is the original plans. They will definitely change, I'm just not sure how. Dustil (Annikias' boyfriend) was kind of a snap decision, and I don't like how I first introduced either of them.
Alyssa was just recently introduced, because I can't stand how many people are immediately Rebellion members without their characters' considering their families or their own lifes. Nobody is that brave. Alyssa is sort or a Parody of that, only she's a die-hard Death Eater, with some sort of warped Gryffindor-like mindset.
I write lots of FanFiction, but my favorite is either Powerful!Harry or Dark!Harry. It's really more logical for him to be evil, considering how he grew up.
I look forward to RPing with you, you seem like quite a nice person. :D
And here I am, worried that I'll sound hypocritical and childish... Tell me the truth, do I? :O
Ooh, I've seen Alyssa around. I like her. Very bloodthirsty. :)
I love the way the RP brings about completely different circumstances than we plan. For example, I sort of expected Icarus to be dead by now. Once Wren started complaining about losing her job, I was fairly certain somebody on the Death Eaters' side would go kill him, but it never happened. So, now I have to come up with more things for him to do. Also, Wren is now going on a date with Wormtail, which I never could have seen coming. It's awesome, though.
I'd love to read some of your fanfiction, PopcornLuvr, if you have links.
Popcorn Lvr,
You're funny. No, you don't sound hypocritical or childish.
I AM childish. I try not to be hypocritical. And I'm usually pretty nice ; )
You sound very nice too.
Wren,
Oh! You'll have to keep us updated on your date with Wormtail. Where's he taking you?
I'm glad Icarus is still alive. I like him...Wren too.
Wren: Oh, I saw you on Facebook! I like your character. No, I don't have any links available right now, mostly because my stories are stuck away in a little bookshelf at my house. I hope to get them online soon, though.
The Real Me: Why thank you.Most people sort of discriminate against people my age because most teens my age are bigoted idiots that cannot type properly.(I'm 14)
Some people have accused me of being mean, but that's mostly because I'm trying to stay in-character. I appreciate that. :)
Annikia,
What I've learned through life is that adults are no better than children and teens. Age doesn't make people less bigoted, less hypocritical, or better at typing.
In a way, we're all still children. Unfortunately though, most adults keep the negative attributes of children and lose the wonderful parts. We keep our tantrums, cliques and spitefulness; yet we lose our ability to giggle freely, imagine, and enjoy the simple things in life.
I know exactly what you mean about being discrimated against because of your age, PopcornLvr. For a long time, I just claimed I was at least two years older than I really was, just so I could have intelligent conversations with people. Of course, now I'm an "official" adult. Wacky.
TRM, they're going to the St. Mungo's Halloween Ball. Hopefully, they will be ridiculously adorable.
Thanks for your support, guys. I totally just got kicked off of Facebook for "Warning! You are engaging in behavior that may be considered annoying or abusive by other users."
AKA: I've posted too many times.
Annikia,
Did you really get kicked off of Facebook! Wow. Did you pick on Neville too much?
Also....I'm sorry you got kicked out. Were you kicked out all together, or just from Magic is Might?
I hope you can get back in...if that's what you want.
I can get back in, but it's gunna take anywhere from 3 hours-a week!
But it was worth it, because I and Chloe got Neville to take part in a duel. :) I also got some key-lime pie.
It was quite good. Alyssa and Chloe(Who is Alyssa's new BFF) Locked Annikia in a meat freezer. Quite fun.
I'm going to admit, Alyssa on Facebook and Alyssa on the MiM website seem to be going down different paths.....
Thank you guys for your concern. :) I really appreciate it.
I am back on. :)
Is... is it wrong that my two characters like to argue with each other? O.o
@Sc Mather: I am a descendant of Giles Corey of the Salem "trials", and good on you. @ everyone: My character is who I'd be if I were a witch. Not a thing like my real life. My boyfriend is doing 2 characters with his 2 computers. One is taxing enough for me. He has come into the room and given me tips, to interact with one of his characters. When I decided that my pureblood would be married since 1984 to a Muggle, he almost hurt himself laughing. He approved heartily. He is also using my "American Wizards" fanfiction background. Stuff I've come up with for my family's and my own amusement since the 3rd book came out, which is when I discovered them. Had to change some things, to fit the canon as it progressed. Not terribly upset about it. And he talked me round to change some other things. I had invented 3 American Wizard games, and American-ized the game of Quidditch. We're still working on that. :D
PopcornLvr, that is not at all wrong, considering how much Wren and Icarus are at each other's throats. And they don't have as much opportunity to interact as your two do. In other news, I was highly amused when Alyssa was given Annikia's detention. Do you think she knew you were the same person?
Tricorvus - Hi. Ooh, American Quidditch. I'm assuming this is like "American football," since they have a team in the international leagues. But that's quite cool.
I have plans for my characters. PLANS. Seriously, I just spent ten minutes sitting here, thinking, "What awful things can I do to Wren and Icarus?" I have a reputation among my friends for being really mean to my characters, so... this should be fun. *steeples hands and cackles maniacally*
PopcornLvr: It's incredibly wrong for your two characters to fight with each other. It's a sign of severe mental instability. Get help...NOW.
No, seriously. I think it's a lot of fun. And all writers of fiction have to do it.
Tricorvus: I love that you play this with your boyfriend. And I love all this American wizarding stuff you've invented.
Wren: Your poor characters!! I think I shall start an organisation. The Society for the Protection of Wren's Characters.
Wren: Thanks. ^-^ I don't think she knew, so instead of a whole conversation with just myself, I'm going to get others involved. Like that Zoe girl. >:)
Tricorvus: Ooo, do we get to play these games? I hope so. :)
The Real Me: Aw.... I don't need help, I need FANFICTION. Jk, thanks. :)
Wren, I to have some serious plans for Sus. Poor girl! I have a reputation for writing tragedy. Which is kinda funny because I'm usually classified as an eternal optimist.
I'm definitely a pessimist, but... I try to write in the most realistic way possible. Which, considering my characters and the world they're in, doesn't end up well for them. They usually get happy-ish endings, though. Or they die. Or both.
TRM - I like that society. I'll ignore it, though.
In other news, today, Wren demonstrated why you shouldn't drink and Apparate. Also, MiM Peter is just about the best thing ever.
Wren,
So what happened when Wren drank and apparated. Were the results disastrous? Please share.
I'm glad to hear you're enjoying your time with Peter Pettigrew ; )
Wren: I remember that post! Wren was so silly. Well, Alyssa just went insane. >.<
I just started posting under the name Lynette, and my character grew from there. Her name is not really Lynette, that is her alias. She is now a 6th year Ravenclaw, who is active in the DA, and a full supporter of the Rebellion, but still very cautious about giving away information. She tends to be a peacemaker, and doesn't like to see people get in huge fights. She has become great friends with Athena Kensley, and respects Triss Descoteaux & Louisa Parkinson.
I always have posted a tiny bit under the name of Just Another Truant, her real name is Adrianna (as foolishly revealed in a post) she is a huge supporter of the Rebellion, foolishly so, she is not any where near careful enough with information she gives away, and is currently residing with her mother who is a member of the Order. She never came back after Christmas break, boasts about that alot.
I have had so much fun growing my characters, and it will be the most depressing day ever when MiM is taken down. :(
I think it's fun to hear how the characters evolved. Mine was pretty much the same as yours. I just quickly came up with a name so I could respond to the articles. Then suddenly I had a whole family history and story. Although a lot of the story eventually got scrapped.
It would be fun if some of the characters kept on going....we could see what happens to them after 1998. The only thing that would be hard is we don't have a common history to follow.
I don't know if anyone is still reading this thread, but I have a question. My character, as she is changed by the war, is becoming harder edged and sharper of tongue. She's sick of the pro-Ministry people and no longer sees the need for diplomacy. She wants to say what she thinks and express her contempt for these people. I guess I'm looking for some guidance as to how sharp to allow my tongue to get. Is it okay for me to be insulting as long as it's not personally insulting? Well, not too personally insulting? After all, I would be insulting a character, not the person behind the character. The administrators keep telling people to separate the character from the real person, I'm fully able to, but I'm not sure if some players can, and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings in real life. Any thoughts on this?
Aoife,
Wow. That's a REALLY good question. And from what I learned on a radio program, that's code for "I have no good answers". Hopefully, someone else here will.
I personally am very sensitive and I have a hard time separating reality from fiction. I will sometimes take on Alex's feelings and get annoyed and hurt by what people are saying. I also have to keep reminding myself that people are playing a part and they might be very different from the characters that they play.
Where do you draw the line between attacking a character and attacking the player? I don't know. In my opinion, attacking grammar and spelling would be attacking the player...especially if it's obvious that it's not purposely part of the character. I get the sense that there are players who do not have English as their first language. I think it's unfair for people to ridicule them on this rather on the general ideas behind their post. Then I think of it more as a personal attack rather than a storyline attack.
Besides grammar, I'm not sure what else could be taken as personal. What else do we reveal about our personal selves outside indications of whether or not we have a strong grasp on the English language?
I think if you stick to character faults, you should be fine. Maybe?
Well I never really planned my charecter other than that i wanted to make her a bit of everything the ministry hated. She has ended up as a quater merperson (Grandfather on her mothers side) making her a half-breed and she has a Muggle father to make her halfblood. As a slight referance to the books she has taken up residence at the bottom of a garden pond because of lingering merperson abilitys to breath underwater. She is a rebellion supporter. Her name is the most unoriginal thing ever - HA7 - my initials and my favourite number.
As to seperating person and charecter i never really have a problem but sometimes you can tell that people do take offence. Maybe that's just me combining person and charecter, i dunno but i must say that I AM LOVING THE MiM EXPERIANCE!!!
Hi!
Seven is my favorite number too!
I remember you talking about living at the bottom of the garden pond. I love that.
I have a good idea, but I have two ways it could go.
A) Mia would hear Bro and Sis Carrow talking about kidnapping Sophie to shut Mia up, and quickly hide them both in the Room of Requirement.
B) Sophie is kidnapped by the Carrows and Mia is forced to behave, knowing that the Carrows will kill Sophie if she doesn't. At some point, Mia rescues Sophie.
What do you guys think?
I think either option would work.
I can't remember....Did people hide out in the room of requirement towards the end? Did it become a full-time room for the DA; or was Malfoy also using it then sometimes?
I'm putting Option A into action either today or when we get a new MiM article.
It was a full-time DA room then; Malfoy wasn't using it.
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