A Guide to Fanfiction Part 2

A continuation from the last post about this.

Characters (Cont)

So, we we've already discussed the canon characters and that it is best to keep them in character as much as possible. Now, it's time to discuss the Original Character. These are the characters we as authors create to interact with the established canon characters. What makes a good OC? Well, first, they should be well-rounded. They should have good qualities, such as being friendly or a strong warrior or smart as well as bad, such as being gullible or vain or painfully shy. A balance of these qualities helps create a 3D character that the reader can relate to and will not mind invading their favorite fandom. Remember though: The readers are coming for the characters they already know and love. They don't give a damn about your character in the beginning. It's your job to make them care about your character as much as the canon ones.

So, let's discuss how NOT to write an Original Character. You should avoid Mary Sue and her equally repugnant brother Gary Stu at all costs. There are various definitions for a Mary Sue, here's mine: a perfect female character who most likely has a tragic background of some sort, is introduced into the story and immediately takes it over. She may or may not be one of the following: an excellent warrior, royalty, magical, be the lone surviving member of a race or nation, etc. A Mary Sue is usually overly described which is sometimes the only description in the story. (More on good description vs. bad description will follow later). Let's use the Lord of the Rings most infamous Sue as an example. She is a girl from "our world" who lost her twin brother and was raped who falls into "Middle-earth," becomes a member of the Fellowship because she is a prophesized heroine, is falling in love with Legolas and vice versa while Boromir stands by and lusts after her. It is later revealed that she is the sole survivor of a lost country, royalty, magical and if she doesn't fall in love with Legolas Middle-earth is doomed. Here that? That's the sound of Tolkien spinning in his grave. Now this Sue also has no redeeming features: she is arrogant, rude and patronizing--all which the author mistakes as "wit" so she is often smiled at rather than chided. She is right now so powerful, the quest is virtually a moot point and she cannot feel the call of the Ring.

If writing in the Lord of the Rings section, DO NOT make your character immune to the call of the Ring. It is like Pandora's Box or the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. It is temptation and we all are tempted. Also, do not be afraid to let your character give into the Ring, like Boromir. However, like Boromir, don't forget to plan a good redemption arc. Everyone loves a good redemption arc.

More on these Sues will follow in the section entitled "Thou Shalt Respect Canon At All Times" since these girls often break many rules laid down in a certain fandom.

Tenth Walker

Hmm, this post seems to mostly be about Lord of the Rings. That's okay, I call it "Mary Sue Central" anyway. The "Tenth Walker" is a subset under the Mary Sues because more often than not, they end up being one--like our example Sue. For those who don't know, there were NINE members of the Fellowship of the Ring: Frodo (the Ring-bearer), Sam, Merry, Pippin, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Boromir. That's it! Nine was the number chosen because there were NINE Nazgul or Ringwraiths. Symbolism and it comes in handy in case of a one-on-one fight with them. A good friend of mine over at Fanfiction.net has posted her own article regarding these characters and has let me post it here.

http://telcontar-rulz.livejournal.com/2392.html
Please do read this. She herself as written an excellent Tenth Walker fic that respects canon and brings a new twist to the story.