To everyone trying to flush out or make an OC a bit of advice

[Macklin 88]

  I've been reading a backlog of threads regarding people looking for advice, assistance and other forms of help regarding their OCs and I have a piece of advice that no one seems to have given yet...

 

 No, this won't be a rant about colour choice and colour theory. Nor will it be about alicorns, cast connections or level of importance to the world. Many people comment about these things all the time and my personal opinion on all of that is; if you have put the effort in and it sounds plausible then good on you! Be as creative as you want.

 

 In all my years of roleplaying and writing which have been many upon many, there was one thing I started to implement that changed everything regarding how I built characters. This one trick helped me envision what the character better, helped with backstory and sometimes during the act of writing future goals/aspirations/plot points. 

 What is this wondrous device? Music!

 Give your character a theme song! Actually I recommend two songs personally, one instrumental and one 'other'. 

 

 Now I know what you are saying; "Crazy pony, what madness do you speak?"

 If you choose a song that represents your character, that embodies them simply by giving people that option to listen you are helping form their opinion and understanding of the character. 

 You set the tone for those who look at or interact with your OC and for yourself. Listening to that song, once you make the connection will help you get inside the OC's head, walking in their hooves and remembering why you chose that song helps you delve into their story.

 

 The reason I say choose two songs is because one should represent the character and the other some defining moment in their past, present or future that will become a pillar of who they are.

 There will be little details that your mind will start filling in small details, adding and changing things to help smooth out the picture for you.

 

 I also do this when I am writing fanfiction for the canon characters I plan to use in said fiction. For example the three characters I will be using so far in my MLP fanfic are:

 

OCs:

 

Winter Raven:

   Your Misfortune (None of My Own) by Thomas Newman from the Horse Whisperer score.

   Night Ride Across The Caucasus by Loreena McKennitt

 

Aka:

   Herxes' Thoughts by Junkie XL from the 300: Rise of an Empire score

 

Canon characters:

 

Princess Luna:

   Hey Brother by Avicii

   Adiemus by Karl Jenkins

 

 Adiemus is a very powerful song and for me now relates to a very powerful moment in the story so when I want to work on it if I close my eyes and listen to this song it makes everything more vivid. Sure I am no where near this point in the writing but becoming immersed in this moment helps me answer the question; "What has to happen in order for me to get here?"

 Which springboards me into the writing process and inspires me.

 

 Will this work for everyone? Well, no. No one technique works for everyone but I really suggest you give it a try. What harm can happen?

  Heck sometimes I have chosen a song, closed my eyes and while letting it take me away found that my mind has changed the character drastically (in case of a pony...let's just say Winter Raven use to have a much 'brighter' colour scheme) and that I actually like it more. 

 Also if you randomly hear the song it could trigger thoughts about your OCs, stories or MLP in general. Nothing wrong with that right?

 

 Oh! One more thing, a lot of people the first few times simply choose their current favorite song. Don't. Unless the song actually fits the character on its own merits all you risk doing is getting tired of the OC because you are tired of the song.

 Oh! Oh! Don't be afraid to step outside of genre comfort zones in choosing the song, even into genre's you normally listen to. (*Pokes Avicii from a far distance with a stick...what a weird thing he is*)  If your OC is timid, quiet and hangs out with Octavia all the time then perhaps you shouldn't choose a black metal song and instead look for something a bit more calm and instrumental.

 

 I hope this helps a pony or two!

Edited May 16, 2014 by Macklin