"We’re stronger as a family."

First off, if i’m working with a show or movie with something I tend to really love, I tend to rewatch it ALOT. It turns into a hyper-fixation for me. So then I write my idea INSTANTLY into a notebook or I will 100% I WILL forget it. Depending on the backstory and if it involves canon characters I write the basic ideas first and how it would work if they were related to a canon character or their backstory had impacted a specific canon event.

Like below is my example when planning my ideas for my SPN Oc Liz Winchester's stuff I break it up into sections so I know what to look back to when writing it. If there is something that happens in a specific episode or part I will make sure to highlight it . Here’s an example of it below.

This is just how my brain works when planning! I have to write everything in a notebook whether it’s for the planning of my oc or fanfic itself. If I just open up a document I just tend to stare at the screen for hours completely confused and not knowing what to do versus actually writing down stuff before typing it out.

I also use lots of movies/shows, books and music that is inspo for my characters.

For example, one of my favorite movies EVER is Footloose, I heavily enjoy the music, the story, Kevin Bacon, etc! And two of my ocs adore Footloose as well. One is my marvel oc Kevin Quill and the other is my Stranger Things oc Ben Hopper.

Now, it’s easy to explain why Kevin loves and adores Footloose and its music because canonically Peter Quill, Kevin’s “brother”, loves and references that film a lot in his movies. So I work with that and think of what it means for his and Peter relationship, but most of all the memories they shared because of it.

Then for Ben, I use it for an inspiration for him personally and how it made him feel, what certain songs make him relate to certain things or how happy it makes him feel listening to it. The song Never is one example to say that song means ALOT to Ben and how that scene with that plays that song makes him feel from everything he is going through. I even have this specific song planned for a scene that would show up in his fic eventually! What Ren deals with and goes through from the town with that scene playing Ben is dealing with all that pressure and hate as well. But obviously for different reasons.

Also if the fandom you’re watching happens to have books with it, like Stranger Things or Supernatural for example, if you like reading I recommend reading through those as well! Reading about the adventures or even more backstories of canon characters that exist definitely help me out more times then I can count! Again I'm using Ben Hopper as an example cause there are a few novels that give just a little bit more detail and backstory to that canon characters that have such a big role in your character.

Another BIG thing that really helps me figure out even more vibes for the character I'm creating is Pinterest. Here is an example of one. This is my oc, Ben Hopper's Pinterest board.

From what I said earlier, figure out what your oc likes or dislikes, what job they have and what they end up doing and that helps you figure out an inspo. Ben adores music, Footloose, works in construction and cars sometimes then BOOM you got at least a basic idea for your character! Or if you don't know exactly what your looking for just start searching "character aesthetic ideas" in the search bar. Maybe one will pop up for you that will catch your eye!

It even works with a ship you have in mind. Just think about their dynamics and search what your want inspo of in the search bar and you'll eventually stumble upon a quote or image that reminds you of those two together.

It even works with non ships. Like Liz Winchester with her brothers.

I don't know if I helped you with your questions or not! I'm not quite sure what details or part you are stuck with in your writing, if you need more help feel free to privately DM me or even send another ask! If you want as well, Tumblr has an option for me to answer asks privately so if you want that as well make sure to let me know when you send an ask if you want me to answer that question privately!

I mainly used Liz Winchester and Ben Hopper as examples for you is because those are the main two I'm writing for at the moment and have a good bit of planning done for them!