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  1. In Memory of LAJ_FETT: Please share your remembrances and condolences HERE

Characters The Essential Guide to OC's: The Mini Challenge Revival - Prompt the Fourth!

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction and Writing Resource' started by OCDatabaseSock, Nov 12, 2006.

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  1. Ubersue

    Ubersue Jedi Youngling star 3

    Registered:
    Sep 1, 2008
    Oh man, I hate that. :p My OC started off with a father figure and a few brothers, and now I'm halfway done writing the history, political structure, and geography of her entire planet. I'm pretty sure that by the end of this I'll have made up three languages.

    It's tough being a nerd. :p
     
  2. Lilith Demodae

    Lilith Demodae Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Oct 1, 1999
    My very first OC....Wow, that -is- a ways back. When I was fairly young a friend got me hooked on Louis L'Amour, so my first OC was a cowgirl raised by indians. She always entered the story coming in out of the storm, lightning flashes backlighting her as she stood in the doorway. It was terrible.

     
  3. Rau_Fang

    Rau_Fang Jedi Master star 2

    Registered:
    Mar 28, 2005
    Louis L'Amour! That's fun! Better than being influenced by the crappy animes that I watched in sixth grade, imho.

    I can't remember if my first was Duce Kannon or Rau Fang.

    Duce came about in an impromptu Aol Instant Messaging roleplay session with my friend in eight grade which was '03 or something. Duce and Ex blew up a Star Destroyer in a frenzy of awkward scenes and that was about it. I still use Duce but he has changed dramatically. In fact, Duce has evolved even as he's been a staple character in my stories. He used to pretty much be any rogue character with an interchangeable black leather vest. Slowly he became a huge muscle bound dude with a moustache. He won't say but two words to anyone. He is in forbidden love. Everybody calls him Little Dee (or at least that is what I'm going for in his most recent incarnation).

    Rau Fang was a Dark Jedi (heavily influenced by the anime looking dude that I watched in sixth grade) that was looking for something to destroy the galaxy with. Damien Blade stopped him. Pretty useless storyline and boring. I don't use either of them any more. It's unfortunate that he came to mind when I created my username all those years ago.

    On another note - hopefully I can make the thread a trend in my life again. I'd like to try.
     
  4. Arin_Atona

    Arin_Atona Jedi Master star 4

    Registered:
    Jul 10, 2004
    My first OC in the Star Wars fandom was a bit of a Sue. The story was quite long, so it was possible to compensate long-term by making her less-than-confident, requiring help from others to complete tasks, and only being the one to save-the-day because I needed an excuse to kill her off to work on better characters. :p

    I tried to do a rewrite to do the character better justice, but life intervened, and so much time has passed that I don't remember exactly where I was going with the plots of any of my stories.
     
  5. Mechalich

    Mechalich Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Feb 2, 2010
    Since I began writing original fiction and only started writing fan fiction later, this is difficult to answer.

    I guess my first fanfic OC was Draci Xi, who I suppose technical is also my first fanfiction character period since he appears first in that story. He was an okay character, never really designed a person of great depth anyway, since he was the older mentor/revenge obsessed type. The story he was in wasn't bad (longer than it needed to be, frankly, and it really needs to have the terminology translated) but I'm not particularly proud of it.

    My first Star Wars OC is whichever character appears in the Star Wars story I wrote first, which I can't quite remember, but it's nothing I ever finished anyway. I think the first OC that appeared in something I finished is Zhou, the lead in the short story Redbound.
     
  6. OCDatabaseSock

    OCDatabaseSock Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Dec 17, 2004
    No takers to that challenge, alrighty then. Moving on! [face_whistling]

    We have some new submission to the database and a new Story of the Month, randomly selected from the new submissions (which all happened to be from The_Face).

    Story of the Month July 2011:
    Dead Money by The_Face
    Summary: When eccentric master thief Alias Sibul is captured attempting to rob a casino-owner, he's plunged into a high-stakes sabacc game where he's playing for his life and none of the players are what they seem.

    Do check out this fantastic piece of fiction. :)

    Here's a new topic for discussion:

    Often you start out with a character plan and a story outline but as you go along, your characters take a turn you didn't expect and you, the writer, are forced to run with it. In what ways have your OCs surprised you as you wrote them?

    Also, seeing as full challenges seem to be a little too much for busy OCers, how about we bring back the 500-word mini challenges? Would there be any interest in that?
     
  7. brodiew

    brodiew Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    Oct 11, 2005
    I'd be willing to do something in the mini challenge arena. Sounds like fun and something that doesn't require too much time. Bring it on!
     
  8. Corellian_Ale

    Corellian_Ale Manager Emeritus star 4 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Mar 3, 2008
    I'm up for mini-challenges SoA!!! (great idea btw)


    As for the discussion topic, I've had that happen with really minor and secondary characters. They were originally written as sidekicks or comic relief roles, but then I grew to like them more than the main characters they interacted with.

    Loki and Dapen Marr were characters written to play off Vyyk Tharen in Shades of Gray, but as the story progressed, I realized I A)like Dapen much more as a character and person, and B) Loki had quickly become a fan favorite, and I felt this overwhelming desire to put him in almost every story I wrote.

    Now Dapen has his own fic, with Loki; albiet on hiatus; but I enjoy writing those two much better than Vyyk; so much I killed him off :p . They seem more real to me, and I can't wait to get my muse back and finish the follow-up to Shades of Gray.
     
  9. Commander-DWH

    Commander-DWH Manager Emeritus star 4

    Registered:
    Nov 3, 2003
    You know I love a good mini challenge. I am definitely in for that.

    As for characters surprising me, I think Style still wins for running off and dying heroically without my permission the first time I let him out of the OC thread. :p It bums me out, as I really enjoy writing him. Still, he at least got a memorable end.
     
  10. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
    I love a mini challenge

    As for the topic of characters surprising me, I had 'hospital squadron' with the pilots being minor characters in my story Reunion but now they have become mayor characters to have fun with.
     
  11. Ubersue

    Ubersue Jedi Youngling star 3

    Registered:
    Sep 1, 2008
    In what ways haven't my OCs surprised me? [face_laugh] They never cooperate with the plot I laid out for them. They keep refusing to die when they tell them to, and they're constantly falling in love with other characters. And they never like who I set them up with. :p

    I like mini challenges!
     
  12. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Feb 5, 2000
    A mini challenge would be good. Even if it just ends up being plotted instead of written, it's something. :p
     
  13. OCDatabaseSock

    OCDatabaseSock Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Dec 17, 2004
    Happy August OCers!

    No new stories to the index this month, so no story of the month, but here's our first new mini-challenge:

    Early August Mini-Challenge

    Write a very short story (shooting for 500 words or less) including the following three things:

    a boat, the color orange, the word "insipid"


    If you just can't stop writing and it crosses the 700 word mark, it should probably have its own topic, but please do post the link here anyway.

    We'll let this go for a week or two and then try another one if all goes well. No voting, so everyone's a winner for participating. Make sure to give some love and comments to the vignettes that are posted in here.


    Since it's awards season, remember to support your favorite OCs with nominations and votes!
     
  14. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
    The challenge and a visit to the Castle Fest in the Keukenhof inspired me to write a short scene

    [image=http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk124/earlybird-obi-wan/Yoda.jpg]


    Relax

     
  15. Ceillean

    Ceillean Jedi Grand Master star 5

    Registered:
    Nov 13, 2001
    I'm surprised that I haven't stopped by here before. I favor OC's more than I do canon characters.

    Here's my entry for the challenge.

    Peace
     
  16. Mechalich

    Mechalich Jedi Grand Master star 4

    Registered:
    Feb 2, 2010
    I've managed to come up with an entry, a bit longer than intended, but so it goes.

    An Errant Spark
     
  17. Darth McClain

    Darth McClain Manager Emeritus star 6 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Feb 5, 2000
    Change of Plans

    It's a little bit longer, closer to 660 words, but still works. Thanks for the challenge. :)
     
  18. CaptainSisko

    CaptainSisko Jedi Youngling

    Registered:
    Dec 21, 2006
  19. Corellian_Ale

    Corellian_Ale Manager Emeritus star 4 VIP - Former Mod/RSA

    Registered:
    Mar 3, 2008
    Great challenge idea SoA! And ALL fantastic responses!

    Now, my turn. :p


    My entry features not only my OC Dapen Marr, but MsLanna?s character I took liberty with, Ms. Mellana Morrison from The Reason I Didn?t Update, a Star Wars fan suddenly thrust into the GFFA a la Wizard of OZ style. MsLanna?s character is used with or without permission, I?m not too sure?


    Sitting at the bar in Keldabe should have had my inner fangirl ?squeeing? in delight, but the business matter his Admiralship had me dealing with was drawing on all my focus. I wasn?t sure whom I would end up meeting up with to exchange the sensitive data Thrawn thrust on me, if it even was that. It could be a recipe for a soufflé on the datacard for all knew.

    Kom?rk had transmitted to me the instructions to meet him here, but it could have been any of the Nulls, possibly Mereel, or any of the Skiratas for that matter that would be my contact. I had arrived almost thirty minutes early, despite trying to take in as much of Keldabe my short stay would allow, even stopping to watch the competitively violent boat races along the Kelita River to try and kill time.

    I had no sooner walked in and was struck to see the familiar orange armor that always tended to cross my sight whenever I met up with Kal?s boys. I still don?t know who is under the buy?ce, but it was obvious he had been waiting to scout me out when I arrived.

    Sitting at the bar near the only individual not in beskar?gam, I glanced quickly at the bounty posters above the barkeeps head; but quickly looked away, afraid I?d see someone familiar.

    ?What?ll it be there miss?? the barkeep grumbled, dubiously suspicious of a stranger at his counter.

    I doubted they had my konot tea, fresh and hot on tap, ?Ale is fine.?

    I dropped more than enough credits on the bar as he slid the overflowing stymie my way. Just as the mug almost slammed into my chest, an arm shot out from the un-armored guy next to me, stopping it without spilling a drop.

    ?Next time, order the Corellian Ale.? He suggested softly. ?Mando stuff is pretty heavy.? The brand name rattled around in my head for a moment before I dismissed it.

    I looked up at the dark skinned giant as he gently slid the mug closer to me, ?Why?s that? You own stock in the company or something??

    ?As a matter of fact,? he turned and smiled ? which I?m sure he thought was disarming, and to some women it probably was, but I?d had enough of the men this galaxy kept throwing at me for the time being. ?Dapen. You are??

    The tall dark skinned man sported long thick dreadlocks, and a sleeveless leather vest. The realization of who he was hit me in the face like a slap, ?No - !? I just couldn?t help myself or my outburst of laughter, ?Do you know there are days I really can?t stand you!?

    ?Must be a Sabercats fan then. Nice to meet you. Is your name really NO? Cause I?ve heard some odd names before, but ??

    ?I didn?t know you would be here too, I didn?t think anyone outside of canon would be here?? I couldn?t stop myself, and all my insipid fangirl babbling that Thrawn used to tolerate and eventually was able to drive out of me came back. I went on about all I knew about Dapen and his friend Vyyk. I told him just because his smashball career was over and his best friend was dead, it didn?t mean he had to throw his life away. I then gave him an earful of my low opinion of his womanizing, and how there was a good woman who still loved him if he would only open his eyes?

    He reached over and gently put his hand over my mouth until my muffled rambling stopped. He looked over at the barkeep, "Did she say something about cannons?"

    The older man wiping a glass shrugged, "Maybe she stood too close to them on the front lines."

    Dapen stood up; his full height was pretty impressive, before he spoke the words that left my jaw hanging open until Mereel arrived. ?I really hate stalkers.? He declared before walking away.

    And that is the reas
     
  20. MsLanna

    MsLanna Jedi Master star 6

    Registered:
    Jul 8, 2005
    Mellanna takes her first steps outside of my tight grip. And she immediately stopped ranting so badly. :eek: Maybe excursions like this are good for her sanity? Though sending her to Keldabe is probably not.:p

    But.... I like it!
    =D=[face_laugh][face_dancing]=D=

    Now all I have to do is run after Dapen, tell him I am not a stalker and whack him up the head. [face_thinking] Preferably with Mereel as backup. [face_whistling]
    PM me with updates, ne. [face_laugh]
     
  21. OCDatabaseSock

    OCDatabaseSock Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Dec 17, 2004
    Ready for a new prompt?



    In light of Hurricaine Irene busting up those of us on the eastern seaboard of the US, let's include the following elements in the next prompt:

    • 2 OCs


    • An uncontrollable event - such as a natural disaster


    • A word you the author can NEVER pronounce correctly


    • A smell that invokes a certain unpleasant memory


    • A word with more than one definition; for example: "hide", "left", "beam", or "bolt" to name a few.


    Post it in this thread, using no more than 1000 words.

    And, please, please don't post if your not going to acknowledge at least the post before you.

    We'll leave this up for a week and see how it goes. ;)
     
  22. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
    Love this and inspired by what happened today and one of my mates not being able to pronounce the name of a bird-species correctly (Agapornis)

    ?Hungry Sean?? Jason was tossing and turning on his lounge chair hearing the noises coming from the other lounge chair. He was watching a holopic but a loudly rumbling stomach ? stomachs when you counted Sean?s too ? had him quite distracted.

    ?Uh yes and it?s well past evening meal,? Sean replied ?I won?t be able to follow the holopic with this? and he gave another loud burp.

    ?We can go to the galley area where I can whipp up a fruit pie,? Jason sat up and swung his legs down feet fishing for his clogs until he found them with a smile appearing on his face. No one had made any comments about those medical clogs after he had shown the easy use.

    ?Yup but follow me,? Sean had his slippers ?You don?t have to work first. I know a galley that?s always stocked to the brim with delicacies.?

    Jason nodded and followed Sean.

    - - - -

    Jason smiled when he opened the first cupboard to reveal a large pan with vegetarian food. He placed that on the counter and began searching for a bowl.

    ?Beans,? Sean smirked ?they are Nerf food.?

    ?Not at all,? Jason was sampling a bean and sniffling at the odorous but not unpleasant smell coming from the mixed beans and sausages that were definitely vegetarian he ladled a bowl full of the beans and sausages and took a spoon. A sausage was first and a delighted smile passed his face. ?Bean-sausages indeed, just like Mick used to make.?

    Sean was opening cupboards and fridges until he found something palatable and joined Jason. ?This is nice,? Sean placed his bowl next to Jason and began to dig into the green murky liquid.

    ?Yuck,? Jason swallowed a mouthful of beans when the smell wafted up his nose. And he remembered a disaster from his rescue squad days. A small kitchen fire ? discovered timely ? had resulted in only burned meat, smoke in the house and pets to get outside. Even now he couldn?t pronounce the name of those pets correctly. It was something with budge inside and it had feathers. ?That?s Nerf soup with greasy floating ice and little black burned chunks.?

    ?Love it,? Sean guided a spoon full with the green and white stuff to his mouth.
     
  23. OCDatabaseSock

    OCDatabaseSock Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Dec 17, 2004
    Only earlybird has shown testicular fortitude?!?!

    Of course, eb's stuff is always brilliant, for shame on the rest of you. [face_shame_on_you]



    This next one is derived courtesy of the old OCWA Thread:


    Challenge Du Soir!
    That's a damn fine OC you got there, handsome!


    What's that leading man/woman/droid/jawa look like?
    How do you convey physical description without resorting to the tired ol'he-paused-in-front-of-the-full-length-mirror-and-pondered-his-emerald-green-eyes-and-auburn-shoulder-length-hair technique?

    This is not going to be a challenge for the weak (not like the others are, but this is really super tricky): give us one exceptionally well crafted scene in which you (the writer) showcase the lost art of describing a character's physical features sans the standard cheezball techniques (mirror and 3rd person omniscent narrator gone wild)

    Keep it under a 1000 words and show us all what kind of word slinging character describing bad ass you really are.


    I've got a bad of candy I swiped from a demonic little girl for the winner.

    EDIT: There are no bags of candy to be received at the completion of this challenge. That is all.
     
  24. earlybird-obi-wan

    earlybird-obi-wan Chosen One star 6

    Registered:
    Aug 21, 2006
    Keep it under a 1000 words:D

    Who is doing NANO with OC's.

    I am and have started the first post of my OC story on beyond. Refuge
     
  25. OCDatabaseSock

    OCDatabaseSock Jedi Grand Master star 3

    Registered:
    Dec 17, 2004
    Alrighty, it's a new year with all sorts of new beginnings. Let's refresh this lovely thread once again, throw beans at the demons that are keeping us from writing, and start anew.

    Who has plans for new OC stories in 2012? Any OC's writing journals for this year's Dear Diary challenge?

    So here is the mini-challenge prompt #4!

    In 600 words or less, include the following:
    -Something new
    -Something or someone else that is unexpected
    -Something that is fuzzy

    Post your responses in this thread, and please at least comment on the stories that are posted before yours. For a deadline, we will let this run its course for the month of January.

    I hope you had a very Merry Life Day and a Happy New Year!
     
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