Hi Destiny, I hope you are having a good day.
I'm writing fanfics of the circus members, but I'm too much of a perfectionist and I feel like I'm not representing them well.
Do you have any advice for writing them, something that you always keep in mind for each one when writing about them?
Hey there! most of my advice on how to write them is in my tfc headcanons tag or my writing tag (which you will find both at the bottom of this post). Though basic ways I go about writing them is as follows:
Pierrot: Dangerous, amorous, and naive are the base things to remember about him. He believes in affection the same way a cat does when it brings you a dead mouse: "Why are you upset? I was just showing you how good of a provider I am and that I will kill your enemies.....isn't that lovers are meant to do?" He's sweet, doesn't get social cues, but he is not to be underestimated in his passion/clingyness/strength. He is an artist in his stalking---though his low self-esteem/image means he is willing to change everything about himself to please his love---a problem to be sure.
Harlequin: Every other word is a lie, and every other word after that is the truth. He will NOT be direct in anything he says, even if you were to ask him 'how was your day?' he'd likely answer: "Oh? A little good, a little bad---why so interested? Are you trying to flirt with me?" ---Harlequin loves people who are blunt/genuine especially because he has trouble being that way himself. He responds well to people being truthful, but he hides his own honesty with flirting, sex, and charm.
Doctor: The character simply says how he feels or what it is without always reading the room. He will point out whether or not you're fidgeting, blushing, or nervous and likely make those emotions worse, even if it's far from his intention. Doctor loves cute things, loves learning too! He is sensitive about how big and scary he is, knowing he can't go most places. As such, he prefers solitude---but at the same time he craves a companion who won't judge him for his eccentricities. An example of his dialogue is as follows: "Raining cats and dogs, you say? Strange....I don't see anything out there other than water...."
TicketTaker: Service with a smile that hides his true sadistic nature. TicketTaker has the manners of a 5 star butler, making people believe he is nice and approachable, however....he is not. He is ultimately afraid of humans, HATES them---and is uncomfortable by their mere presence. Bil only respects Jester and he hates chaos. He is a VERY meticulous person, always needing things done or folded a certain way. Bil also is found to adjust the circus member's clothing if it is slightly off---this is his way of showing he genuinely cares. But with humans? He is like that retail worker who greets you with a smile but behind that smile secretly wants to kill every customer who comes up to the register. Bil may find humans beautiful at times, but in the same way you would a tiger; a tiger is dangerous and beautiful, is it not?
Jester: The most complex, arguably, of them all and the most sadistic. His dialogue is that he will start and end a conversation in ONE sentence: "Ah, so you found your way back to our circus, did you? Certainly it would have been best had you stayed at home where it is safe? Let's not make that mistaken again." Jester enters a room and EVERYONE feels his presence. He will not speak to those who do not give him the proper respect, instead allowing his subordinates to handle it if necessary. Jester could talk his way out of a knife fight and leave the attacker trembling in their boots. He enjoys seeing lowly humans shudder under his heel (Bil does as well btw). Jester commands not only the conversation, not only the room, but everyone around him--whether you realize he has or not.
EDIT: check the replies for additional posts on writing the characters!
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