Listen to AsCast!
I'm majoring in marketing. So when I was compiling a list of what I think constitutes a good OC (original character), it all went back to marketing: What kind of OC will be engaging? Engagement is key: A solid OC makes the story appealing, which ultimately attracts readers (which is, after all, the reason we write, is it not?).
The following are attributes that I believe every OC should have.
A Reason to Exist
Why are you creating your OC in the first place? If you think Peter is so hott and want to give him someone to kiss, don’t even bother. Romance for the sake of romance is so over-done that it’s vomitous…and you’ll never differentiate your story from the other thousands just like yours. Don’t just make an OC because it’d be fun to see what would happen if there was an extra character in the book; it’s not only also over-done, it’s also dangerously close to plagiarism.
What purpose does your OC serve? If there’s no purpose, what’s the point?
Uniqueness
It all boils down to the distinctiveness of the character. If the character isn’t unique, why in the world would your readers remember him/her? Even worse, why would they ever care or bother to see if you update your story?
My rule when creating an OC that will feature heavily in any of my stories is: If you’ve seen it done before, don’t do it unless you are absolutely sure you can do it better than what you’ve seen. (Different rules may apply to expendable characters.)
However, don’t use uniqueness as a reason to go overboard. Don’t make a Super Character that’s good at everything/handsome/beautiful/knows everything/always saves the day. Boring! On the other side, don’t make an OC that’s bad at everything/ugly/extremely anti-social. Boring! Try to strike a healthy balance between the extremes, yet finding a niche for your character.
Entrenched in the Narnian World
You’re writing Narnia fan fiction. Why the heck would you want or need to create a country or creature that doesn’t exist in canon? There’s so much to work with! There are oodles of creatures and lands in Narnia that C. S. Lewis only scratched the surface of. Why not work with what you’ve got?
Give the OC a rich history within the Narnian world. Create an OC from a Narnian creature or human race, and from a place that your readers have heard of. It creates unity in the story, establishes the character easier because there’s a point of reference, and gives you credibility as someone who knows Narnia.
Good Name
Having a good name is very simple and obvious, but important. The name itself tells your readers about the character. Give your OC a name that is relevant to their history. Think about who named them, and why? Where were they born? Tashbaan? Then give them a Calormene name. Narnia? Then give them a Narnian name. C. S. Lewis’ books give plenty of hints about how each culture names their own; follow his lead.
Don’t make the name too strange—that’s a turn-off. Don’t make the name too common—that’s boring. Perhaps take a normal name and give it a twist, such as turning “Sandra” into “Saedra,” and “Rahel” into “Rahai.”
Physical Description
Know what your OC looks like, but don’t shove it in your readers’ faces. Give them spoonfuls of description at a time, in times where it’s necessary and natural (such as when they look in the mirror). This has less to do with good writing than with avoiding anything that resembles a dreaded “Mary-Sue/Gary-Stu.”
As to how your OC should look, that’s up to you and the needs of your story. If your OC is ugly because he/she needs to be for the story purposes, that’s fine. But if they’re ugly and you expect Peter or Susan to fall in love with them, think again! There’s nothing wrong with writing attractive characters. In fact, readers prefer it, even if they don’t want to admit it. [My favorite author, Jennifer Fallon, has an interesting blog post related to this subject, which I suggest you read.]
A Life
Your OC is a person too! What do they do for fun? Who are their friends? Who are their enemies? What hobbies do they have? And why do they have them? Your OC likes to read books—why? Do they have a curious personality? Is it to escape? Your OC likes to swim—why? Did their grandmother teach them and they enjoy the freedom it brings? Have a reason for their hobbies, and fit them into the plot of your story.
Realistic
Realism is important in making your story believable. If your OC is injured, give them scars. If they get pregnant, give them stretch marks. If they do something stupid, make them embarrassed. Your OC does get tired sometimes. They do get hungry. They do get sore. It makes them relatable.
Make their interactions with canon characters believable. Don’t make Caspian speechless with lust upon laying eyes on your OC. If your OC falls in love with someone, make it realistic (even if it is love at first sight, it’s still never simple or easy).
An Evolution
Your OC must have a developmental path they take in the story. They should be a different person by the finale for what they go through, whether better, worse, or just more worldly-wise.
A Struggle
All conscious beings struggle with something, whether it’s shyness, a sharp tongue, or dissatisfaction with their appearance. Your OC should have flaws that they are either aware of or unaware of. It must impede, or perhaps help, their path in the story. Whether the character ever does overcome their flaw(s) is up to you! But flaws make them human (or Narnian).
I gave a lot of criteria, and some of it may have seemed contradictory. The bottom line: Would you want to read about this character if it was in a list with twenty other OC stories? Why? Why not? Adjust your OC accordingly. That is vital to catching readers. If you wouldn’t click on your own story, why should anyone else read it?
TastyAsItGets is webmistress of NFFR and author of “The Secret Chronicles of Narnia” trilogy which includes “The High King, the Duchess, and the Secret,” “The Changing of the Constellations,” and “Nightmare.” She has also just concluded her first Harry Potter story titled “His Fool.”