Original Characters

[dragonfang33]

Just out of curiosity why does every one seem to hate the idea of an original character being the main character or that Kim or Ron falling for him/her?

[Quin Separable]

because an OC falling in love with one of them gets in the way of Kim and Ron being together ;D

But most fanfiction readers want to read fanfictions about KP, not about some new person that the author suddenly dropped into the story...most readers don't want to read about a new character.

I, personally, like OCs as long as they aren't Mary Sues\Gary Stues (which seem to be the case for most OCs)

[Deleted]

Very true Quin. I'm really not into it either when it goes the route of having one of the KP characters fall in love with the original character. The main reason, for me, is just because it's like the person is trying to live out a fantasy in their writing. Sometimes this isn't the case, but there are plenty of times when it seems that way.

It's definitely a peeve of mine, especially at the end of a story when there's an author note saying something along the lines of "I wish I was in [insert character name here]'s place right now." or "I'd kill to be in his/her position right now." It makes me want to just punch my monitor. Most of the time, it seems too forced, which is also the main reason why I don't read alternate pairing stories either.

There are some times when OCs are brought into the story, not as a main character, but just as a supporting one that helps move the story along. I have absolutely no problem with those original characters, I've done it myself, and I enjoy stories that follow through with this method.

[cheeseyfudge]

I like OCs as long as they're a part of the story. just not a throw in. In one of my series I've made a couple of OCs. but mainly as childeren of the main character or something of the sort. OCs are cool if they're written right. But it's also just personal taste I guess

[JuPMod]

Well, OC's are a mix-bag for me. I don't like the Mary Sues either, given the author is writing himself/herself falling for Kim, Ron, or some other character in the series. It's not hard for me to spot these stories.

However, if written right, OC's are okay and they can add new blood into the show's characters. I've made my TUY OC's have their own unique personalities and they certainly aren't Mary Sues. They did added some new dimensions in my stories of Ron, Kim, and others at Upperton U.

[Ashley Benlove]

With my OC, Ashley Possible Benlove, that never happened. She's smart enough to know that Kim and Ron have a thing going on (I believe that's how she phrased it two years ago) and won't interfere. Of course, she is dumb enough to try and piss off KP in various ways, but that's her way of love.

;d

[Quin Separable]

I feel like such a hypocrite when I say I hate Mary Sues because I'm almost positive that my OC, Quin Separable, is one.

I was still fairly new to writing when I wrote the stories though so I really didn't know better. I am now more educated ;D

[Ashley Benlove]

I once took a Mary Sue test for APB and it turned out that she is something of a Mary Sue. I was like, "NOO!" But, seeing as I've grown since APB was created, yeah.

[RavenStar]

The only OC to have a major role in any of my stories was Ken Du in Understudy. But he was just a side character who happened to have a prominent role because I killed off the two canon KP characters who would've been in his place, as opposed to being the main character or a romantic lead for any of the women in the story. Other than somethng like that, I try to avoid OC's at all costs. I'll especially never have a KP story in it where I'm a character in the story, unless I'm doing a 4th wall breakdown in a comedy fic. A writer already projects part of themselves through their writing as it is, there's absolutely no reason - besides a specific comedic one - to put yourself as a character in a fanfiction.

[zaratan]

I've avoided OCs for the most part, though I am starting to introduce new villains as I've expanded Team Possible, killed Monkey Fist and Fukashima, and made Drakken and Shego 'good'. I needed someone who could compete with Ron and his MMP, so I created Lupus, a vicious opponent that is far stronger than Ron and blood-thirsty. Only had him make a brief appearance, as he was my first OC, but I'll be bringing him back later.

[Pim Peccable]

I think OCs tend to be a problem when he step into a spotlight.

I trapped myself by doing stories in the future, where my version of "the kids" tend to do the action scenes.
I'm trying to focus on the ACTUAL[/I] KP gang, but it's hard in my universe.

OCs are fine, so long as your FOCUS remains on the star of the show.

[zaratan]

Except with fanfiction, the star is whoever you make it out to be. I've written fanfics devoted to Rufus, Tara, Bonnie, Shego and Barkin, even Hego and Mego (though I knew that one wouldn't get viewed much).

But I think with OCs, you need to establish them first, and make them very real people, before you try and make a story focus on them in particular. Once you have them established, go from there. Like Surforst's Mike... he has worked hard at bringing Mike out, and establishing him as a real character. He's not in every story, and he shouldn't be, but only once has he been one of the 'stars' of one of his stories, and that was only after establishing and building the character.

[surforst]

zaratan said:

But I think with OCs, you need to establish them first, and make them very real people, before you try and make a story focus on them in particular. Once you have them established, go from there. Like Surforst's Mike... he has worked hard at bringing Mike out, and establishing him as a real character. He's not in every story, and he shouldn't be, but only once has he been one of the 'stars' of one of his stories, and that was only after establishing and building the character.

Lol guess I should get into this now that I've been mentioned. As for Mike being the star of the story just to make one point he was Josh side kick and he had a nice trip to the hospital afterwards. Shego and him had a 'disagreement' after all.

Anyway I have to admit I've used OC but not one of them has been me. I made a point once if I was in a story I'd be killed probably by Kim. I can't take half of what those people dish out and I seriously doubt anyone else can either.

Anyway my OCs summed up.

Lt - Mystery guiding character. Honestly I've yet to decide who he is but his role isn't that major as of yet in the story he was in.

Major ? - Can't remember his name I have to do research on this guy. Anyway Ron commanding officer he's got a wife and kids and a very small role in the story. He often disappears during combat after all.

Danny Editor - Actually this is a character my Beta wanted same name as him and call sign. Most Mary Sue I've done but since I don't know my editor personally I'm sure it's not that bad. Anyway he's Kim wingman after all I needed a replacement after I offed Monique. I miss that girl.

Mike Insertable - I hate that last name now...anyway this character is designed to fit into cannon. He's evolved over time and is now Kim and Josh friend. Best friend to Josh and Kim is probably his best pal though he'll never admit it. He's trained in martial arts, favors using swords in combat, and has appeared a few times to spar with Kim. His purpose has mostly been to make crazy comments, be a guiding character, sounding board for Kim, and a punching bag for Shego (sorry Mike). Anyway there is no way he and Kim will end up together unless everyone else on Earth dies and I got really drunk that night I write. Then it's a maybe.

Anyway that's all the OCs I can remember at the time. God I hope I haven't gone a bad route with them after all I know I get ticked off when an OC is the important character in the story. Oh well.

[captainkodak1]

I have created a number of OC's. I think the one's I liked the most were the couple I created in "Park Bench". I have created one OC villian being the Count in "The Lotus Bloom". However, I am with most of those here in that I do not like an OC character coming in and falling in love with Kim or Ron and splitting them up. I really don't mind OC's as long as they are supporting characters to the story. I have seen some MarySues that were good and some were not so good. I have actually written one where my character was a friend to Kim and Ron but I have never completed it and posted it. OCs can be very difficult to make correctly as the more of a part they play in the story, the greater the background for them must be created. Then you have to remember each fact of that background and carry it through the story. This can be done, but it takes a little practice.

[Pim Peccable]

yurisisteble said:

OCs are fine, so long as your FOCUS remains on the star of the show.

Oops, that should be star S


I didn't mean just Kim.

..and making minor characters from the show into more prevalent characters is a GOOD thing. I meant completely original characters that steal the show can be bad.

[dragonfang33]

I recently ran a Mary Sue test on my OC Character Kyle Wolf and this was the result

Kyle Wolf is only a little like you. He isn't really very cool: he blends into crowds, he hangs out on the fringes at parties, and wearing shades after dark makes him run into things. He always knew he was special, destined for great things - and probablyf made sure everyone else knew it too. He's come in for his share of hurt, but gotten off with minor damage. And he's gotten no slack from you.

In general, you care deeply about Kyle Wolf, but you're smart enough to let him stand on his own, without burdening him with your personal fantasies or propping him up with idealization and over-dramatization. Kyle Wolf is a healthy character with a promising career ahead of him.




Score Breakdown
I Love Him, I Let Him Go 8
You Mean Plaid Is Out? 7
Hey, Wanna See My Crown-Shaped Birthmark? 13
Can't Complain 4
Momma HATES Him! 2
Total: 34

[Ezbok58a]

captainkodak1 said:

I have created a number of OC's. I think the one's I liked the most were the couple I created in "Park Bench". I have created one OC villian being the Count in "The Lotus Bloom". However, I am with most of those here in that I do not like an OC character coming in and falling in love with Kim or Ron and splitting them up. I really don't mind OC's as long as they are supporting characters to the story. I have seen some MarySues that were good and some were not so good. I have actually written one where my character was a friend to Kim and Ron but I have never completed it and posted it. OCs can be very difficult to make correctly as the more of a part they play in the story, the greater the background for them must be created. Then you have to remember each fact of that background and carry it through the story. This can be done, but it takes a little practice.

You got that exactly right capt. In one of my stories the OC I created is now having his past brought into the light, I hinted to what he delt with throughout the story, but now it's exactly what he went through, and unfortunately for him EVERYONE ends up hearing it.

It'll complicate things later in the story.

[surforst]

Oh I forgot one of my OC while I was thinking about this. I did actually write a cannon character with an OC. Good old Millie who you can read about in three stories so far. Heck she even gets to talk in one of them. ;D

[allaine]

I created the Acceptable Family for my fics, but they were basically a self-contained story plot device, and I put them out of the way once the story was over.

Since then I've preferred to reintroduce supporting and minor characters from the show - the main villains, Monique, Kim's parents, the tweebs, Dr. Director, Vivian Porter, Josh, Sensei, etc - than create my own. I feel like there are plenty of people who deserve to be expanded and/or developed based on what they've given us so far. Beyond that, the only major OCs to appear in the past four stories have been an artificial intelligence similar to SADI, and a baby.

As I look at it, creating them from scratch just means more work for me ;D

Sincerely, Allaine

P.S. On a somewhat related note, since we're working with an animated series, do writers ever think about whose "voice" their OCs have? Which actor, I mean?

[Twila Starla]

I know I do it with all my OCs. I spent a lot of time finding perfect voice for each one. Then I list 'em, I know, weird, but it gives the reader some idea of what your OC sounds like. Last night I ran two Mary Sue tests on my character, Mira, and, as I expected, she turned out to be what we call a Mary Sue on both. Now, think about it, if you ran any K.P OC through one of those tests, they would probably hit the mark as Mary Sue or close to one, and why? Because everyone makes their OC amazing to some extent, and that makes the character fun to write and read about. Also, any number of canon characters could also pass as a Mary Sue. Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker, even our own Kim Possible could all be giving that test and called perfect if they were OCs. The thing is people want to read about a character that interesting, a character with something cool about them. No one wants to read about some boring character who does nothing but live a normal boring life. Don't we get enough of that in the real world? Now the trick is balancing your OC, giving him/her some perfect traits and some human traits, because too much of either will give you an unbelievably perfect character or an unbelievably boring character. Either way can make the OC dislikeable.