Tips on Creating a Good O.C.!

{Something I've been thinking about for a while!}

Personality:

For one, I like to write a story with my characters. It helps me get a different
perspective on them (I.E. stories that are in first person: 'I shook their hand nervously).
It sets personalities for your character, even if they may not be consistent, that's okay!
The o.c. can have something like this: Calm and collected, but shy and adventurous. Different
personality traits clashing together can create great obstacles for your character and better
mold them as a person. Maybe they get over something, maybe it protects them, who knows!

Visuals:

I try to make my characters as original as possible, but sometimes that isn't always the case. Two
of my characters are inspired by other existing ones. Mitchell (he was modeled after Frank Frink, a
chara. from one of my favorite t.v. shows). I made him into something more, something special to
me personally. By adding my own ideas onto him. That's okay if you're inspired by someone else as
long you're not stealing from them. Eventually, you'll find ways or ideas to make your o.c. original! I sometimes
gain outfit design from television shows or just by searching up character outfits online. Clothing should fit
with the world your character is in. Maybe think of their financial situation? Where they're currently living?  

Backstory:

Backstories are kinda tricky for me. Sometimes I like to incorporate things that happened to myself into the
bios, but add on a little twist to the event, so that it relates better to the character and story. Apprehensive backstories
are fine, as long as it somehow fits into your o.c.'s universe (it should also have an affect on how they act
present day), how it relates to them. Maybe even how their pasts affects others around them. Some o.c.s 
have mental disorders, just like some real life people do. Whatever illness your planning on giving them, 
it should effect the character's in some way, not just when it's convenient. Depending on the illness, think 
of how it effects their everyday life, relationships they have with others. 

(If you have any other ideas, feel free to write 'em down in the comments! I've been wanting
to write this for a while, hope you guys don't mind!)