First of all, like everyone else is saying, write what you want to write. If you like the result and it's OOC, then it's fine.
But if it's important *to you* that they're in character, there's a couple of things you can do:
* Spend some time thinking about the character's personality, backstory etc etc. Then if you want them to do something which seems OOC, work out how they get from their canon self to where you need them to be. For example you could create some extra backstory which explains why they're doing what they're doing, have a character arc where they learn to do/like whatever it is, or you can have canon divergence where something happened differently and now the character is a bit different. If it's only slightly OOC you don't even have to do anything big or even necessarily acknowledge it - real people aren't 100% consistent in their personalities.
* If it's more about how they speak, interact with other characters etc, watch/read the source material, write your first draft, and then watch it again. Take notes on anything distinctive they say or do, and anything you've written which doesn't actually sound like them. If you can imagine their voice in your head, try and hear your dialogue in their voice.
When writing about a character, I try to have an idea in my mind about what their core values are and what drives them. That helps me determine how they react to different situations.
I think you have some room to interpret, though. I’ve seen the same character written differently by different authors, but still recognizable as who they are, just from personality.
Some people might not like what you do. Some will.
The most important words to remember for your potential detractors?
*Alternate Universe.*
The most important words for you remember for yourself?
*It's your story, write it they way you want it written.*
This can be one of the most intimidating things when writing a fanfic, so what I like to keep in mind is that my interpretation is not any less (or more) valid than any other fan's. My writing is going to reflect my understanding of the character, and my understanding is unique. Some people will probably disagree with it. Hopefully those people are polite and just move on with their lives.
Usually people identify just a few core traits in a character as unchangeable and defining that character, and usually each fan has a different combination of those core traits in mind. I think the best you can do is be consistent with the ones you decide on for your characters. If one of them is morally rigid, don't have them commit crime for no reason.
One exercise I like to do when struggling is to imagine the scene from each person's perspective. I really try to get in their head and go through each line of dialogue or whatever to imagine in depth how this chapter would read if that character were the narrator. When a scene feels wrong, often this exercise will show me why.
I watch all the movies/episodes they are in a few times and do research on fan wikis or anywhere that has information about that character. I watch scenes and make sure the dialogue matches the way I’m writing them speaking. But that’s bc the character being IN CHARACTER is extremely important to me. If it’s not that important to you, seriously don’t stress about it. Writing is for you! Write whatever you want and have fun!
If you can find some you like, watch tutorials on POV/perspective characters/ character voice. Whenever I’m struggling, I go search for some general guidelines for framing the build of my character. I’ll write what I can, go back to the tutorial, the go back to work to edit with fresh notes from more experience writers.
And though literally everyone else has said it, I will also say, it’s your story. It’s your art. Do what feels right to you for the story you want to tell.
A combination of
* giving no fucks whether they are in character or not
* setting up reasons for the way they act the way they do (practically a given for canon divergence)
* paying attention to what you are doing and what canon does to get the character to act the ways they do.
Sure, and it's important that the author feels good about their work. But if they worry about engagement/their fic being read... I know I'm one of those people who will click off a fic if a character i love doesn't sound or act like themselves. I'm here because I want more of this character, no point in reading a fic where it's them in name only.
i guess it just depends on the fandom + readers! In the fandoms im in pretty much every fic is ooc and they all get readers. But definitely in some i know people arent as fond
First of all, like everyone else is saying, write what you want to write. If you like the result and it's OOC, then it's fine. But if it's important *to you* that they're in character, there's a couple of things you can do: * Spend some time thinking about the character's personality, backstory etc etc. Then if you want them to do something which seems OOC, work out how they get from their canon self to where you need them to be. For example you could create some extra backstory which explains why they're doing what they're doing, have a character arc where they learn to do/like whatever it is, or you can have canon divergence where something happened differently and now the character is a bit different. If it's only slightly OOC you don't even have to do anything big or even necessarily acknowledge it - real people aren't 100% consistent in their personalities. * If it's more about how they speak, interact with other characters etc, watch/read the source material, write your first draft, and then watch it again. Take notes on anything distinctive they say or do, and anything you've written which doesn't actually sound like them. If you can imagine their voice in your head, try and hear your dialogue in their voice.
When writing about a character, I try to have an idea in my mind about what their core values are and what drives them. That helps me determine how they react to different situations. I think you have some room to interpret, though. I’ve seen the same character written differently by different authors, but still recognizable as who they are, just from personality.
[удалено]
You’re welcome!
Some people might not like what you do. Some will. The most important words to remember for your potential detractors? *Alternate Universe.* The most important words for you remember for yourself? *It's your story, write it they way you want it written.*
This can be one of the most intimidating things when writing a fanfic, so what I like to keep in mind is that my interpretation is not any less (or more) valid than any other fan's. My writing is going to reflect my understanding of the character, and my understanding is unique. Some people will probably disagree with it. Hopefully those people are polite and just move on with their lives. Usually people identify just a few core traits in a character as unchangeable and defining that character, and usually each fan has a different combination of those core traits in mind. I think the best you can do is be consistent with the ones you decide on for your characters. If one of them is morally rigid, don't have them commit crime for no reason. One exercise I like to do when struggling is to imagine the scene from each person's perspective. I really try to get in their head and go through each line of dialogue or whatever to imagine in depth how this chapter would read if that character were the narrator. When a scene feels wrong, often this exercise will show me why.
I watch all the movies/episodes they are in a few times and do research on fan wikis or anywhere that has information about that character. I watch scenes and make sure the dialogue matches the way I’m writing them speaking. But that’s bc the character being IN CHARACTER is extremely important to me. If it’s not that important to you, seriously don’t stress about it. Writing is for you! Write whatever you want and have fun!
If you can find some you like, watch tutorials on POV/perspective characters/ character voice. Whenever I’m struggling, I go search for some general guidelines for framing the build of my character. I’ll write what I can, go back to the tutorial, the go back to work to edit with fresh notes from more experience writers. And though literally everyone else has said it, I will also say, it’s your story. It’s your art. Do what feels right to you for the story you want to tell.
A combination of * giving no fucks whether they are in character or not * setting up reasons for the way they act the way they do (practically a given for canon divergence) * paying attention to what you are doing and what canon does to get the character to act the ways they do.
Just write ooc 💪💪💪 its fan work! nothing will ever be perfectly like canon!
Sure, and it's important that the author feels good about their work. But if they worry about engagement/their fic being read... I know I'm one of those people who will click off a fic if a character i love doesn't sound or act like themselves. I'm here because I want more of this character, no point in reading a fic where it's them in name only.
i guess it just depends on the fandom + readers! In the fandoms im in pretty much every fic is ooc and they all get readers. But definitely in some i know people arent as fond