Tips on writing OC backstories?

[Rainbow Eclipse 3,927]

As the title would suggest, I'm looking to develop the backstory of my OCs. I am worried about not being taken seriously when joining some RPs. Heck, I was even told once that my OCs "lack any sort of character development". And that's the story of how my self-esteem was irreparably shattered...

 

So, how do you think up a backstory? I ask this so that I may create richer characters and become more well-known amongst the community. Thank you for your time.

[Everleaf 542]

just go with a flow does not have to be too long try to make it interesting and just fit to your oc for example I written Everleaf's backstory as I went by well most of it was done in a day and the rest is added 

 

 

anyway just do it however keep your mind to it  

[Amber Rays 42]

I'll have to agree with the above poster, Everleaf on this. As well I'll add a few points for backstory building that I tend to use.

 

• Species - The more exotic the species, the more headcanon you will likely have to create for them to make them work. Imagine the three basic ponies being easy-moderate since we know enough about them already and everything else being challenge mode since we know so little. Such as the case is with say, draconequus as one such example. If an alicorn, then you sometimes will have to delve into the why your character is an alicorn.
• Setting - The setting which your character is in and/or from will effect them in various ways. A pony from say medeival times will act and behave differently compared to a pony from a post-apocalyptic era and both would behave differently compared to say the era the show takes place in. Take Luna as an easy, but extreme example of this. She is from an older era and because of that she has a different way of doing things that most are unfamiliar with in the modern times. She was literally taken out of one setting and thrown into another.
• Place of Birth/Childhood - Where your character grows up and the circumstances surrounding it will also effect them considerably. Living creatures learn a lot during their earliest of years and in a way it will even effect how they live their life for years to come. As an example my main OC was kept mostly as a curiosity, as part of a unicorn mage's collection during her earliest years. Because of that she really wasn't all too aware of the outside world beyond what she read or picked up on back then, is a bit of a hoarder and is easily drawn towards unicorns. If she was raised in a different environment and under different circumstances, she would likely have very different views and even personality traits, such as her attraction towards unicorns. This is why I feel a character's childhood is a crucial part of their development as is with any normal child really.

 

That's pretty much all I have really. Hope any of it helps.

[Kay Dreamer 884]

I like to think I'm pretty good at backstories - at least, I never have a problem inventing them. They flow pretty organically, and I don't often need to force them. For example, when I came up with Kay Dreamer's design and 'theme', (wandering musician), her backstory floated out of it's own accord. I noted it down, and fleshed it out/refined it as I added ideas.

 

Usually I'll have a core 'theme' for a character. For example, a hotheaded mage. Or a dreamy bookworm who loves romance novels. Or a cheeky thief girl. I'll then craft a personality, and the backstory follows from there. (Design also features strongly, and that can come first or last. Sometimes I'll craft a character around a picture I've drawn. Other times, it's the opposite, and the character informs the design.)

 

The above poster has some great tips. I'll leave you with a few more.

 

• Personality: What is your character's personality like? What do they like, what do they hate, how do they react in any given situation? Everything about our personalities is moulded by our experiences. What kind of life has your character led to make them into the person they are today? What formative moments can you pinpoint that led to the formation of their core beliefs? What makes them happy, angry, uncomfortable, and why? Create little stories to explain some of their core personality traits. These add depth to an otherwise hollow backstory.
• Theme: This really helps me, at least in the initial planning stage. You can create a character 'shell' around a central idea. Let's take the 'cheeky thief girl'. First, we have to figure out why she's a thief. Did she grow up on the streets? Is she a runaway? Perhaps her parents are nobles and she found her life too restrictive? Second, what 'rules' does she have about thieving? Does she steal from people poorer than her? Or is she a robin hood? What made her this way? Third, what is her life like now? How did she get from point A to point B? Did she have help along the way? Friends or companions? Has she had any grand adventures?

Basically, just asking yourself as many questions as you can about your character, then endeavouring to answer them, will create a backstory almost of it's own volition. Then all you need to do is knit together all the little threads.

[Shenron00 366]

Just do the following steps:

1. What's his/her name and gender?

2. What species is (s)he?

4. What does (s)he look like, what's his/her cutie mark, and what does it mean?

5. Where does (s)he live, where was (s)he born, and when was (s)he born? (Last two are optional)

6. What's his/her personality like?

7. Does (s)he have any friends and/or family? If so, then who?

8. What's his/her backstory? (This seems to be the part you're stuck at)

9. What's his/her life like now?

10. Add some finishing touches to him/her. (Optional, but recommended)

11. Does (s)he have a theme song? If so, then what is it? (Completely optional)

Hopefully you're all done with your kick-ass OC!

Edited April 26, 2014 by Shenron00

[Scootalove 10,689]

• Species - Once you've got the name done, decide on the species.

• Setting - How they came to be and where they came from, and why.

Personality - Giving your OC a personality can show that they are a character that we should care about, and not a bland character.

Edited April 26, 2014 by Scootalove

[Shenron00 366]

Name - The name depicts on the talent of your OC.

Not necessarily. There are plenty of ponies whose names have nothing to do with their talents. Like Pinkie Pie for example! Her talent is parties, but there's nothing in her name about that. Edited April 26, 2014 by Shenron00

[Scootalove 10,689]

Not necessarily. There are plenty of ponies whose names have nothing to do with their talents. Like Pinkie Pie for example! Her talent is parties, but there's nothing in her name about that.

Oh, I'll be sure to fix that on my list.

[Khaoios 1,970]

Well, I see everyone above me has stated it, but perhaps, its optional, add "Derivation/Resemblances" to your character.   Like, in mythology, Twilight may strike a resemblance to one of the Greek Goddesses, etc.   That's pretty much was I include with my OC's.     Good Luck.

[Castle Bleck 19,440]

Given mine is mostly intended for comedic one-shots, all I have so far is that he was born to strict parents who emphasized hard work, and the stress ironically drove him to become a slacker (However, when sufficiently motivated (rarely), he can actually be a Shikamaru-Nara-like prodigy).