NaNoWriMo

I participate in this every year.
However, this year I am lacking in the character department.

I need ideas and help with side characters. I usually base the personalities of my characters off of interesting forum members I know, and this year I want to do something a little different. Are any of you willing to create names, ages, character traits and looks for some of my characters? It's not that I lack originality, I just want to expand my horizon on the types of people I write about. I find it challenging to write using characters that don't have the traits I tend to look for.

By character traits I mean simple things like "crude humor" or "stubborn" or "naive".

I just need a simple base to mold into a character. I'd appreciate the help.

First of all, what kinds of characters are you looking to create, exactly?

You should totally create an outcast loser, who is not really like normal guys, really sweet and sensitive way too much for a normal person, carin and lovin, really smart but does lots of dumb things, about 16 or so, oh and make him kinda feminime.

SO yeah I could help if you wanted me too:3

Originally Posted by Veyrael

First of all, what kinds of characters are you looking to create, exactly?

High school/college students (either or, I haven't decided where the protagonist is going to be yet), teachers/professors, family, family friends, etc. Just random characters, some who may be closely involved in the plot, some may be just props. I'll figure it out once I start writing.

Forte, I like that a lot. I see definite potential in your character and I think I know where I can fit him in. Thank-you. You can list more than one idea, if you want. >>;

Originally Posted by kreebby

High school/college students (either or, I haven't decided where the protagonist is going to be yet), teachers/professors, family, family friends, etc. Just random characters, some who may be closely involved in the plot, some may be just props. I'll figure it out once I start writing.

Forte, I like that a lot. I see definite potential in your character and I think I know where I can fit him in. Thank-you. You can list more than one idea, if you want. >>;

I think that might be part of the problem, actually- have you actually brainstormed any ideas on how you want your story or characters to be? That might help some with ideas. :3

Originally Posted by Veyrael

I think that might be part of the problem, actually- have you actually brainstormed any ideas on how you want your story or characters to be? That might help some with ideas. :3

Well, my character is going to be 18-19, which I know for a fact (hence debating high school vs. college). She has a younger brother who is about 15-16, and lives with her brother and her parents (both). She starts out with no friends but makes friends with some kids over the school year, slowly. The first person she befriends is a guy in her science class who turns out to be her lab partner for the year/semester. The other friends are less specific, mainly being just people from lunch/random classes.

There is no romance in this what-so-ever. The guy is significant because he is the first person to figure out what is wrong with the main character. I wanted it to be a guy because guys aren't the type to gossip, and if a female were to find out what was wrong with my main character first she'd probably just gossip about it. Male was more fitting.

Originally Posted by kreebby

Well, my character is going to be 18-19, which I know for a fact (hence debating high school vs. college). She has a younger brother who is about 15-16, and lives with her brother and her parents (both). She starts out with no friends but makes friends with some kids over the school year, slowly. The first person she befriends is a guy in her science class who turns out to be her lab partner for the year/semester. The other friends are less specific, mainly being just people from lunch/random classes.

There is no romance in this what-so-ever. The guy is significant because he is the first person to figure out what is wrong with the main character. I wanted it to be a guy because guys aren't the type to gossip, and if a female were to find out what was wrong with my main character first she'd probably just gossip about it. Male was more fitting.

Alright, so you have a basic idea of what you want. Now, I understand that you typically base character personalities on ZUers/forumers. Have you considered basing just a few of your characters off of people you know in real life? That's probably the best place for inspiration on characters.

Originally Posted by Veyrael

Alright, so you have a basic idea of what you want. Now, I understand that you typically base character personalities on ZUers/forumers. Have you considered basing just a few of your characters off of people you know in real life? That's probably the best place for inspiration on characters.

I do that as well, it's just I can find variety online when it comes to personality (usually).

I'll donate to your Nano!

Have a character who is the quiet, anti-social kid in the back of class. She keeps to herself, and only has friends who act the same way as she does. One reason they keep to themselves is that they all have the same fetish to something outlandish and strange, and nobody else really knows they have this fetish.

What the fetish is, you can decide on your own. This was just a little thought I had.

Originally Posted by Chari

I'll donate to your Nano!

Have a character who is the quiet, anti-social kid in the back of class. She keeps to herself, and only has friends who act the same way as she does. One reason they keep to themselves is that they all have the same fetish to something outlandish and strange, and nobody else really knows they have this fetish.

What the fetish is, you can decide on your own. This was just a little thought I had.

That is epic. I can totally picture my main character walking in on them doing something in a janitor's closet. It would actually add humor to the story.

I'll donate as well.

Have one of your teachers be the kind of teacher that tries too hard to get the students to like him/her. You know the kind that tries learn teenage slang but always misuses it.

Originally Posted by Zeldafreak83

I'll donate as well.

Have one of your teachers be the kind of teacher that tries too hard to get the students to like him/her. You know the kind that tries learn teenage slang but always misuses it.

I like that too, thanks!

If you just need some filler characters, you know.. background folk, I recommend this http://www.chaoticshiny.com/modernchargen.php You can easily modify the results to suit your needs further. :3

I've thought about it, but I don't think I'm going to. I've barely managed to work up enough muse and enthusiasm for my current Zelda fanfic, Exoria, and I really don't want to burn myself out with NaNoWriMo. Plus I don't really have a good idea as to what to write at the moment outside what I'm already writing, so I guess I'm going to take a pass on that. If I change my mind, I have, like, two days to do so. ^_^;

If you're still looking for help, though, I'd be more than willing to offer it. I'd prefer that we'd do so over instant messenging, however, so if you're still interested, just tap me and I'll IM you. Chances are you probably won't need my help, though; I'm sure you'll do a good job. ^_^

I'm also participating in the NaNoWriMo (first timer), and just dropped by to wish you luck. I'm afraid I won't be of much help as I'm still quite without a plot. Got exactly an hour to think of one while I'm writing this. Ugh.

For the people who live on the east coast, there's only 2 hours left! I hope you're all ready!

So far I have 2,162 words. The website isn't letting me enter them though, grrrr.
Thanks for all the luck wishing you guys, and good luck to the people who are also participating.

Yea, I also can't update my word count. Pretty annoying alright.
I made the 1667 mark, and wanted to continue, a buffer is always nice, but stuff came up :\

At least I'm still on track, see how long it'll last.

Yes, I've decided that I won't be joining NaNoWriMo. If anyone needs any consulting, though, I'll do my best to help. ^_^;

I wish you all the best of luck and the sturdiest of pens...er, keyboards. Wind to thy wings~ ^_^