How do YOU go about character creation?

I would start with the characters purpose within the story or scene. That covers most of it. Once you have that in mind the rest of the character should flesh itself out fairly easily.
 
I have experience creating characters I've used for many years who are always developing, and I've made characters for plot, much like how BM usually works. Both styles have their pros and cons. However, for the creation of these characters, I use the same strategy.

I turn off my computer and pull out a notebook. Yes, I could open up a Google doc or something similar, but pen and paper has always organized my thoughts so much better.

First, I write out the plot devices I haven't figured out the details for yet. Often, I prefer RP with other creative individuals that I can trust that we don't need to go over everything in PMs. I enjoy the openness to create, but to craft a character, I need to have my side of plot devices covered, or at least enough to get started on a good foot. These devices will shape my character and the story, and I believe it is important I have some of these aspects meshed out. Sure, things could change or be adjusted, but I still need some clarity as a writer.

Settings, background, powers/limitations, special items, critical events, important NPCs tied to my character, and etc will be covered. What I end up writing on this page really depends on the plotline and RP goals. After that, I move on to the next step.

Then, I start out simple with stats for my characters. Name, age, appearance, and so on. After that, I start to pull from my plot device page to try to mesh out finer details. I also try to craft a personality that will work well or playfully conflict with those plot devices and what my partner and I may like. I also will cover things like a character's fears, likes, dislikes, goals, and other skills.

If it isn't coming to me in a nice outline, I'll free write about the character. Cross out and highlight what I want to get rid of and keep. After that, I reorganize.

I will admit that some of my character outlines are pages long, while others are just a single page of scribbling brainstorming. I guess it depends on how complex the plot is and how strong my inspiration is. Funny enough, if I'm really inspired, I sometimes I just have the scribbles lol.

Once I'm satisfied, I usually don't have to refer back to my notebook much. I do here and there, but when my thoughts are organized, I jump in with confidence I have enough covered.

I also do this outline for very complex posts at times. Sometimes I feel like my head is swimming if doing something like introducing like two nations, attacking, and something supernaturally grand is taking place in one post. It helps me organized it all and try to cover all these details as smoothly as possible in my writing. This also goes for when a partner overwhelms me in a post, I'll break it down into an outline so I can better grasp what is going on and how to respond.

Random note, my least favorite part of characters creation is coming up with names for characters and locations! Drives me nuts, and I'm rarely happy with my choices. After spending more time than I'd like to admit on name lists and generators, I usually get frustrated and settle with something with the hope it will grow on me. Lmao.
 
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I have what I like to call my "Room of Creation." Inside is a selection of those soft plastic balls they use in ball pits, each with a character trait written on it. I enter with my golf club and just start swinging, leaving the door open, naturally. When I feel my aggression has been fully sated I leave the room and whatever balls I find outside of it, that's my character.

It's how I was taught. It's the ancient method.
 
I like to find some form of artwork that looks interesting, obviously what the artist intended isn't necessarily what I see when viewing it. So from there I'll use the art, and possibly look for similar art, to form an idea of what I think this character that popped into my head will be like. After getting the basic idea done, I'll work on some form of backstory, to breathe a bit more life into them. It'll give a basis of mannerisms and whatnot, that will of course change or adapt as the story moves on, based on what works or feels right for the character in mind.
 
it usually starts with a high concept, but sometimes i get sudden bouts of inspiration that just hit me too hard to ignore. from there, i think a little more on it and add traits or other things i'd find fun. i always keep it simple at the start. then, when it's well-formed and clear, i twist it. then i bash it, hammer it, sand the splinters, and wrap it in duct tape.

so i start from a concept of some kind, add traits, and further define it with depth and/or suffering. lastly, i add the finer details that didn't come in my violent and inspired attack, and then i have my latest mistake.
 
When I try to make a character, I tend to look at the setting and story first for inspiration. Sometimes I get an idea right away and just run with it. Other times I'll fall back certain traits and idea's I reuse from game to game.
 
I write a few line and ideally get a pic. Main info... from then on, I go with what's realistic, and allow for evolution
 
1/ Story idea or theme.
2/ A character that doesn't quite fit the story or the part they will be playing. I don't like cliches and I love conflict.
3/ The character may also be a walking contradiction. The well spoken intelligent romantic male stripper/the nerdy would be porn star/the quite retiring older librarian with the younger male stripper.

It all depends really but I try and develop the story as much as possible making the character as little like a stereotype as possible helps with that in most cases.

Looks wise the characters can vary depending on what is required. Story is what I am most interested in.
 
ToxSin said:
Hi all! ToxSin here.

I was thinking about my experience creating my characters, and it occured to me that I hadn't really thought too deeply about how other people may go about creating their characters, as I'd assumed we'd all do it pretty similarly. Since this is not obviously the case, I pose the question; how do you go about character creation?

Personally, my character creation process is pretty fluid and relaxed. I tend to go into roleplays without too many guidelines about how my character is going to act or behave, and I may not even have a name for my character until I begin writing my first post. Thusly, the story ends up driving my character development to a large degree, and I make tweaks as I go. If something sticks, I sometimes pull a character idea out of one story and stick them into another roleplay in the future.

So, to summarize my curiousities..

Do you have a decided method to developing your characters? Do you tend to go into a roleplay without a character idea and let the story shape your character? Do you do something entirely different?

My curiosity is peaked, let me know what you think
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I tend to have my characters go into RP scenarios with one or two strong personality points that they won't move on, two more they are willing to bend on in the right circumstances, and leave the rest up to character interaction.

I also think word choice in dialogue helps distinguish characters better in my mind. This can be anything from preferred profanity choices to overall vocabulary level. I think spending time thinking on how a character speaks goes a ways towards helping me define them through writing.
 
Either I come up with a scenario or I come up with a character type. I then try and make it difficult for them as I prefer they do find it easy.
 
I usually write a small blurb in the character's voice. I just let the words flow, and listen to what the creative voice says. Then I create a character sheet for them, and save some pictures that generally fit the mood of the character.
 
First, I need an idea/plot that catches my interest. This plot/idea usually inspires me and I get an idea of what kind of character I could play there.
Next, I start a picture-hunt to find an image that "speaks" to me and gives me the same vibes as the character I have in mind. During the search, as I look at all the possible images I could use, more and more details of the character's personality and background emerge in my mind, so that by the time I've chosen a reference image, the character's profile is almost complete.

This process can take up to a couple of days. So when I'm browsing RTs and discover a story I like, I sometimes create a character even before I write to the person and ask if they're interested in roleplaying with me. XD
 
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Most of the time I try to make my characters feel as real as possible while also keeping them as true to the word of the story as possible.
 
Usually concept first although that can also involve a rough idea of a character. I like my characters to be realistic and to respond in a realistic manner to whatever scenario I have dreamed up, regardless of how realistic said scenario is. I do like characters who are new to whatever it is as well or just not accustomed/suited to the role or world. I want them to have various sides to their personalities and not just be card board cut outs so to speak.
 
I start with a core concept for a character -- what's their central conflict? What are they trying to achieve, and what is standing in their way? Then I usually find a face-claim. After that I hone in on biographical details and really flesh them out. For characters I REALLY want to dig in on I'll sometimes round it out with a soundtrack.
 
Well.. Usually in steps.

I. Visual. - Reference look.
II. Concept. - What I am aiming for in regards to above.
III. Basic Outline. - Key principals I can see behind the character. (Race, age, personality traits, etc.)
IV. Capabilities/Limitations. - Where do I want them to fall in 'power scale.' Which I played them all; weak, normal, strong, OP. Of course the RP has to make sense for any of those roles and not all my characters are OP as that is just boring; especially if they don't have reason to be OP.
V. Relations. - Usually I wrap it up with if they have any existing relations within a RP to other characters.
VI. Misc. - Probably any minor tidbits I forgot.

I don't like diving deep in History. I will only do that for Group Play. To be frank, I usually keep a simple 'sheet' even in solo play with partners as I tend to play a variety of characters/small cast. These fall into mains, sides, and NPC roles. In a group RP I am not going to bother much writing a large cast of characters.
 
I build MC accordingly to the plot and what my RP partner is into. As we brainstorm ideas I get a sense for MC and if she is sub, young, mature, etc I just go from there.
I think I have 3 main MCs to pick from and mold, each with her own characteristics
 
I tend to have two different approaches depending on where the roleplay idea originated from.

If I’m building from a pairing, I go visual first. What is their look? Tall? Slender? Tattooed? Bespectacled? Hair length and color? Sometimes I will have an idea from my head right away. Other times I will go reference shopping to find a face claim or just inspiration. From there I will build out some personality traits and motivations. A lot of the more granular stuff I work out as I’m writing them.

If I’m building from a story prompt, I usually go in the other direction. I think about who they are to find themself in this situation. Are they shy? Bubbly? Educated? Quirky? Responsible? After that I go looking for a face claim to match that character.
 
Gina in Orange said:
I tend to have two different approaches depending on where the roleplay idea originated from.

If I’m building from a pairing, I go visual first. What is their look? Tall? Slender? Tattooed? Bespectacled? Hair length and color? Sometimes I will have an idea from my head right away. Other times I will go reference shopping to find a face claim or just inspiration. From there I will build out some personality traits and motivations. A lot of the more granular stuff I work out as I’m writing them.

If I’m building from a story prompt, I usually go in the other direction. I think about who they are to find themself in this situation. Are they shy? Bubbly? Educated? Quirky? Responsible? After that I go looking for a face claim to match that character.
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I'm similar. I want the character to contrast the situation, to be atypical of the type who would be in the situation OR look the part perfectly for the situation but personality wise they are not what you would expect.

I like the nerdy would be porn star or chubby/small dicked model, the dutiful old fashioned wife who is drawn somehow by cuckolding or cheating etc. Whatever it is I want the character to be more than just a one dimensional stereotype. I want a lot of scope for story and interaction between the characters.
 
I sometimes like to base them off of rp ideas that my partner may have or that I would have from time to time. I tend to consider setting to be very important when it comes to roleplay because that typically influences the characters I write. I also like having the setting have its impact on the characters I write, it gives them more of a sense of realism.
 
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