Well, I have an OC Dev Short Story Series that I am always trying to suggest to others. It is a great exercise to learn more about your characters! So, here, I am going to be posting new questions everyday to use as prompts for this series.
I call it "The White Room."
Throw your character, preferably a few characters, actually, into a white room. They cannot leave until they answer fully and truthfully. If they lie, the room flashes red. Half truth - yellow. Truth - green.
Sometimes, the room will know more than your character. As in, your character has been lying to themselves for so long, they don't know the real answer. Getting that red or yellow makes them rethink their answer and dig deeper in themselves to find the truth.
Some characters will squirm and try to weasle out of the situation, some will comply immediately. Having multiple allows some fun tension between those two types.
If you would like examples of what I mean by all this, check out this page. It has a few of my pieces on there for this side series thing.
Feel free to reblog this for your first session so others can find you!
If you @ me, I can also reblog your post here, so others can find it!
If there are any questions you'd like answered about MY characters, feel free to ask 👀 I most likely won't add my own answers every time.
Main blog
Events:
Past: April
Some optional rules!
Order of characters: Every session can have a new order for the characters to go in. I like to have the voice designate the order, but you can also have them figure it out amongst themselves. HOWEVER, SECONDARY THING! Some prompts can create unique order options. For example, in my "Smile" episode, instead of letting them answer for themselves, the others in the room answered for them. Which lets us see how OTHERS see the character.
If the characters are taking too long to answer, the room starts to move. It moves downward, towards an eternal fire. This is to raise the stakes until the characters give in and answer. For the squirmy ones trying to weasle their way out of this. See my piece, "Fears"
Most powers and sci-fi gadgets are disabled. The room can pick and choose what is active. Magic that keeps someone alive? Sure. Teleportation? Absolutely not. It will sever the character's connection to their powers. And if it's an item, they keep conveniently getting teleported when they dont happen to be holding or carrying it. Every time. Like the room knows
The voice is separate from the room. The room can react without the voice's permission
The room can use its walls to display things. Emoticons, text, images
The room can morph. It can shift and change its entire topology to match a setting and then cast a giant image over it to replicate the area. See my piece, "Home" for an example
The walls and floor can become transparent. See "The Room"
I do NOT recommend starting with a hard question! I started with clothes and hair. If you want it to be a side series thing, start easy! Let your characters adjust and then hit them with "Do you mourn who you were before the trauma?"
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What are some hard boundaries your OC has? Are they good at communicating them? Enforcing them? Do people respect their boundaries? How do boundaries change based on the relationship level?
Two of my characters, who are very, very good friends (since second grade) have very, VERY different ways of thinking. Especially on justice.
One if them, focuses on intention. He has seen people be possessed, be mind controlled, and has himself been in situations where he's forced to do the wrong thing. So he believes that if someone didn't truly mean to harm you, and realizes what they've done, you should NOT do anything back to them.
The second character, who, since she always accompanies the first character has been through the same situations. But she believes that action matters more than intention. If you were mind controlled, you simply weren't stong minded enough. If you were in a lose-lose situation (she herself was) you should never forgive yourself for what you've done. She doesn't care if you did or didn't mean harm. You did it. And she WILL take revenge for it.
These two are best friends, but often these two mindsets clash for them (I have the second friend's mindset and boy is it hard to think and write in the first friend's one.) Does that count as opposing views???
Yes! What someone has the capacity to forgive totally counts. That can be a major source of arguments and could be enough to be a deal breaker for some people. Seeing how they navigate that difference is unique and interesting
This one is geared towards multiple characters. Take two characters or more and write out what their opposing viewpoints are. What is a core belief they fundamentally disagree with? Are they able to still have a bond in spite of this disagreement? How does it impact how they interact and communicate with each other?
Just as an example:
Jay values truth highly. He will never tell a lie. Everything he verbally says is the truth to his knowledge.
Sam is a walking facade. He lies constantly.
It was hard for them to be cordial at first, only playing nice for the sake of a shared loved one. But with time, Sam let the niceties fade when trying to talk to Jay, and Jay learned that Sam is a good person deep down, so he became more lenient. They still fundamentally disagree with how the truth should be handled, but they can put that aside.
This one is geared towards multiple characters. Take two characters or more and write out what their opposing viewpoints are. What is a core belief they fundamentally disagree with? Are they able to still have a bond in spite of this disagreement? How does it impact how they interact and communicate with each other?
Just as an example:
Jay values truth highly. He will never tell a lie. Everything he verbally says is the truth to his knowledge.
Sam is a walking facade. He lies constantly.
It was hard for them to be cordial at first, only playing nice for the sake of a shared loved one. But with time, Sam let the niceties fade when trying to talk to Jay, and Jay learned that Sam is a good person deep down, so he became more lenient. They still fundamentally disagree with how the truth should be handled, but they can put that aside.
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Hej! Here's my OC submission. Still no ref pics tho sorreh, I'm busy...
KOTOMI PYLIA
OVERVIEW: A 25 year old research analyst who recently moved to the town of Prismoria for a new work assignment. Her short hair is naturally Blue but she dyes it black. She was born and raised in Jamaica but doesn't really feel in touch with her heritage. She used to have a nasty temper, but pursuing her love of music and science has softened her up over the years.
OC STRENGTHS: Sharp, brilliant mind. Not afraid to speak up for herself or others. Has learned how to live with her problems.
OC WEAKNESSES: Emotionally distant at times, frequently favours science over morality. Multiple Physical and mental ailments limit certain aspects of her life.
MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT KOTOMI: Her snappy attitude has become more humorous over time and makes for some really good comedic moments.
MY LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT KOTOMI: STORY SPOILERS. Her past and the things she's done to get where she is now.
OOC STRENGTHS: I've been commended for making a grounded, realistic POC without being racist or stereotypical. Her individual problems are also unique to her story and circumstances.
OOC WEAKNESS: I'm still not 100% sure what direction I'm taking her story in. I'm also inexperienced in this type of writing as I've never taken it this serious before.
I hope this is a good OC SHOWCASE, let me know if you want me to add stuff!
And for anyone else reading this, HELLO! You can find Kotomi's Full Bio on my Profile. <(￣︶￣)> K thnx byeee~
The second of our two oc showcases! I couldn't figure out how to add text to the other without editing the internal text. My main advice for that one is that its okay to have abrasive characters. They're fun! The main thing that will make readers still like them is their intentions and the framing. In You, the show, you're supposed to root for the bad guy because he is who we are following.
Now onto this post! You may have already seen this character as I frequently repost stuff from Drez. They're my bud :3 You already got my feedback before. If you want to learn more about who your character really is, put them under max stress. If you dont know where their story is going, what is their goal? What is the opposite of that goal? There's your roadblock. What does she WANT? And why cant she have it rn? What is she going to do to get it?
For the OC Showcase, I present Soraya, one of the two leads from my current main project!
(Art by me)
She has her own brief introduction post here, but her gist in the story is to be the balancing actor to her twin brother—or maybe vice versa, rather, given that she is the extreme one and he's trying to keep her from blowing up everything in her way. He's cheerful and agreeable, she's angry and combative, that sort of deal.
I have to admit that between the twins, I am partial to her. I find her terribly entertaining in how thoroughly fearless and aggressive she is, and especially how that repeatedly pits her against the story's main antagonist. Whether she's the one that comes out on top in those clashes remains to be seen.
But while I adore her, I recognize that there are likely going to be readers that will find her too abrasive, unlikable, and difficult to digest. Because she is. On purpose. I've built her very intentionally to be the exact type of female character I personally most enjoy, and if that means that she gains some enemies for being too much of a complete bitch, so be it.
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65 followers, yall! I want to do something special as thanks.
For only a little while, you may use my ask inbox or submission inbox and talk about your oc! I can give tips or advice, or general thoughts I have about them. If you're struggling with a specific aspect, say so! I'll do my best to help. And, they will appear on this blog for others to see :3
Status: Closed as of the 28th
And these will come out a bit later so this post has visible time before being buried!
What kind of music does your oc listen to? Why? Did they find that genre or artist themselves, or did someone introduce it to them? Do they have a favorite genre or artist? Do they venture out to other kinds of music often, or do they stick to what they know and love?
Genuinely, sorry for slow posts. I have work every single day for a while, often for over 8 hours. I wake up and go straight to work. It'll settle down soon.
Force her to come face to face with an alternate version of herself that never went through it. There's always a way to delve into psyche. This is what I did for my boy Jay in my white room version of this prompt
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Keisar, I choose you. He's not from my primary project but instead a side one, but I traumatize the twins during their story so you already get to see them before the traumas, unlike him. Keisar gets to start off traumatized so he works nicer for this.
I also opt to place him in a mirror maze rather than a white room because I fear he would have an emotional breakdown in a square room, especially one that is white. PTSD and all that, you understand. I'll let him out the other side once he's answered the question fully.
"This is a joke, right?"
Go through. That's all. Just answer the question and go through.
And be honest.
Or else?
It's troubled, the way he swallows at that thought. If there was anyone who knew what an or else could be... Well, it might just be him. He would at the very least hazard a guess that if he wasn't the topmost authority on the matter, he was nevertheless educated enough to count as a true scholar.
"Fine," comes a shivering exhale and he takes the first step into the mess of mirrored walls and equally reflective floor. And the mirrored ceiling to boot, when he makes the mistake of looking up to see if there was any help to be found there.
Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors. That was all there were. He squints at his reflection, reflected anew in a hundred different ways in every direction. Could anyone stand there and not feel disoriented?
But turning around reveals the entrance... No longer is. Where an entryway used to be is now only another mirror.
Or perhaps it's just behind that mirror. Or... That one.
A careful, measured step turns him back around to the way he thinks he was facing before. It's impossible to be sure anymore.
Go through.
His expression sets, stark yellow eyes narrowing. Determination steadies his voice. "Fine." The holy turn him into a fool, but if they wanted to play games, let them play games.
"I was a child, you know. That's what I was." The mirrors are cold under his fingers as he starts to feel his way through. The corners begin abruptly, so impossibly difficult to discern with his eyes.
Any way he turns feels like it's a dead end. Any way, and backtracking only makes him more confused about his surroundings.
Keep going.
"It wasn't always easy. We didn't have much, and I knew it from the moment I could think for myself.
"But... Nothing bad ever happened."
Is he imagining it or did he manage to make a little progress? Just a little? Around one turn that didn't end with the need to turn right back the way he came?
"I had friends. They didn't have much, either; some didn't even have parents, but we went to school together, helped each other where we could. Played, when we had the time to."
A faint smile curves his mouth, fond despite what he huffs. "When we weren't begging or working to help our families, or ourselves."
The smile dies down as he keeps looking for his way through. "Those were simpler days, you see. It was hard, sometimes, but I was happy. I didn't know another way to be. I didn't know there was so much more out there.
"And I wish I had never learned."
More progress. This time he's sure he's imagining it. The way seems so long, though, and what does he know about how long it is? There never was an indication of the size of this place.
His next step is just a little too rough, cracking the mirror beneath him. "I was twelve when I started to figure it out," he mutters, mostly to himself as he crouches to examine the damage he caused. Carefully lifting a piece of shattered glass reveals a dark concrete floor beneath. Whatever he had hoped to find—some hidden hatch to freedom?—that wasn't it.
Sighing, he stands back up, rotating the shard in his hand. It creates a few small cuts when he isn't careful enough. Who cares.
"And fourteen when I was taught the truth."
What's the truth?
"That life's a mess. It's not simple. It's not worth romanticizing. It's a damned ugly thing to be alive... And you have to make the best of it.
"By any means necessary.
"Because that's all you have? Your life, I mean."
His laugh is mirthless when he keeps going, the shard of glass still held in his hand. "Or, well, I lie. I didn't learn that part until later. First I learned what it's like to be hopeless. Then a thing or two about breaking. Some such more about what happens after there's nothing left of you. That sort of thing."
Turn, then another, and he still hasn't had to backtrack... But his steps slow down despite that until he has stopped entirely. His head hangs, dark hair pooling down his shoulders as he stares at the mirror shard—and his reflection in it. "When I was younger... I really thought I would have given up by now. I haven't had reasons to keep going, a lot of the time.
"But I have.
"And I'm not going to toss it all away now or ever, after how far I've already gotten."
His reflection smiles at him, though he can't tell if that smile is on his own face. Could be. If it is, he doesn't feel it, though.
Is there more?
"You wanted to know if I miss that version of me? I do." But he keeps going, switching the shard from one hand to the other after its old holder is starting to hurt from gripping onto it too tightly. Blood is dripping down to the mirrored floor beneath him. Heh. At least he'll have a solid tell of where he has been, now.
No more getting turned around.
"But he was ignorant. He was always going to learn. I wish... That the lessons were gentler. And hadn't started so young. I would have wanted to grow up like I thought I would.
"But I would tell him he's stronger than he could ever imagine, and that I am even stronger than he is. Was."
Something looks different. There's... Sunset? One of the mirror is reflecting a most gorgeous sunset, just up ahead.
Walking up to that mirror and turning his back to it–
There it is.
A way out.
Right into the glorious sunset.
Keisar laughs. The sound isn't amused, but neither is it sullen. Disbelieving, if anything.
Incredulous.
"So that's it?" he asks, his mouth finally spreading into a smile that resembles truthful even somewhat. Wide, toothy. A little lopsided. "I answered well enough?"
Nothing and no one answers him.
"I'll take that as a yes."
His steps quickly turn into a jog, then an outright sprint to reach the exit before the sun has the time to dip beneath the horizon.
Nothing stops him. His feet land on dirt and glass. The breeze is soothing, blowing his hair from his face. He takes a deep breath of the wind before turning to look back at the maze. He half expected it wouldn't be there anymore, gone as surely as its entrance had, but there it still was.
"So you see..." the man murmurs, twirling the sharp glass in his hands. "I used to be someone that didn't know they were all they needed. That I'm all I need.
"I know the old me would admire who I am now."
He flings the mirror shard from his bloody hands back into the maze he brought it out from, breathing out as it clatters somewhere onto the floor, lost in the reflections.
The sunset would wait for him no longer. "Trust me on that," is the last thing he says, laughing the words with airy ease–
But the sunset would not wait. Setting his eyes back to it, the young man continues his sprint, chasing after the evening itself.
