Active since ‘86Tumblr (3.0; @thagrouch)http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/<a href="http://eschergirls.tumblr.com/post/49781213471/developing-your-characters-and-making-them-interesting">Escher Girls: Developing your Characters and Making Them Interesting</a>: <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://eschergirls.tumblr.com/post/49781213471/developing-your-characters-and-making-them-interesting">eschergirls</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://referenceforwriters.tumblr.com/post/49480008597/developing-your-characters-and-making-them-interesting">referenceforwriters</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Recently I got a message about a person struggling on how to develop their characters, as they normally wrote about already created characters<em>—</em>also about how to make them interesting and make the people reading your story actually<em> want</em> to continue reading it.</p> <p>I’d say this is one of the main differences between fanfiction and original work. Writing fanfiction you already rely on the fact people know the characters<em>—</em>how they look (or are supposed to look), personalities, and backgrounds… unless you’re writing an AU.  There’s people that already <em>like </em>the characters and would (probably) be willing to read your story. Now, you focus on a good plot to interest them.</p> <p>But then we are back on our original stories, our novels, anything we write. We have to create our characters from scratch<em>—</em>interesting characters that can fit and make our story flow. Because good characters can handle a poor plot, yet a good plot can’t handle poor characters. I guess this is all we do here, right? this is the bane of our existence as writers. </p> <p>Truth is, there’s no right way to write a story. And there’s no right way to develop a character! I tested this by <a href="http://referenceforwriters.tumblr.com/post/49225489566/question-time-people">asking you guys</a> how you do to create and flesh out your characters. Every response was personal and different.</p> <p>Sometimes it starts with the spark of an word, an archetype, a color, a trait, a flaw, a song lyric, a painting, someone you know in real life<em>—</em>then you go from there.</p> <p>Here are some basic steps on developing a character, yet, you can do it as you see fit:</p> <ol><li><strong>You start with the personality</strong>. Once that’s done it’s relatively easier to know how they look like. You sculpt and pick virtues and vices, flaws and qualities<strong><em>—</em><a href="http://referenceforwriters.tumblr.com/post/42015384562/how-to-avoid-mary-sues">perfect characters are not interesting</a></strong>. When it comes to protagonists and antagonists, they’re neither 100% good nor 100% bad, because there is not fully good or bad people. Get what I’m saying? Round characters are the thing we’re going for.<strong> Take details from people in real life, if you want</strong>: funny habits, mannerisms, what makes people<em> human</em>. </li> <li><strong>Work on the appearance of your character. </strong>What’s their body type, their eye color, skin color, hair color, shape of their face/nose, if they have birthmarks or scars somewhere… </li> <li><strong>Pick a name as you see fit. </strong>This can be the first step depending on how you work. Is there a meaning behind it? does it show somehow their character’s personality? remember sometimes they are relevant to the setting/genre. </li> <li><strong>Flesh. ‘Em. Out</strong>. Think of hobbies and background. How’s the relationship with their family and friends, how they act around authority, what kinds of clothes they like to wear…</li> <li><strong>Always remember:</strong> character development is an ongoing thing. You never “finish” developing your character, just like we, as people, don’t stay the same. </li> </ol><p>That being said, be creative with it! Don’t imitate the way your favorite authors develop their characters- create your own way! your characters are all yours! Make playlists about songs that remind you of your characters, keep a journal for them- sky’s the limit.</p> <p>Good links for you:</p> <ul><li><strong><a href="http://fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment.tumblr.com/">Fuckyeahcharacterdevelopment:</a></strong><span> a blog just about character development. Seriously, if you are not following this blog, you are in nothing.</span></li> <li><span>Our <strong><a href="/tagged/character%20descriptions">character descriptions </a></strong>and <strong><a href="/tagged/characters">characters</a></strong> tags, along with <strong><a href="http://referenceforwriters.tumblr.com/tagged/body">body</a> </strong>and <strong><a href="http://referenceforwriters.tumblr.com/tagged/mind%20and%20personality">mind and personality</a>.</strong></span></li> <li><span><strong><a href="http://www.wikihow.com/Create-a-Fictional-Character-from-Scratch">Create fictional characters from scratch</a></strong></span></li> <li><a href="http://justinemusk.com/2010/02/01/13-ways-to-create-compelling-characters/"><span><strong>13 ways to create compelling characters</strong></span></a></li> <li><span><strong><a href="http://edwardkenwayrps.tumblr.com/post/48930468615/010-moral-alignments-moral-alignments-are-a">Moral Alignments</a></strong> and<strong> <a href="http://edwardkenwayrps.tumblr.com/post/48004731852/009-jung-personality-theory-in-my-experience">Jung Personality </a>Theory: </strong>both good resources by the same person. They’re a different way to add dimension and understand better your characters. Even if you aren’t using them, they’re still a pretty good read.</span></li> <li><strong><a href="http://the-collisioncourse.tumblr.com/post/49378024671/get-to-know-your-characters">Get to know your characters</a> </strong>interesting questions require interesting answers.</li> </ul><p>-Alex</p> </blockquote> <p>I saw this on my dash from a friend’s reblog, and given that we had a post on Escher Girls recently about writing characters and their arcs, I thought people might be interested in this, and some of the links provided which go into much more detail. :)</p> </blockquote>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/50015674853http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/50015674853Thu, 09 May 2013 10:18:37 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/46adcc621788f05f5d6ee9bf3aba778b/tumblr_mjzt06mETm1qbzu9co1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>haha omg who remembers this one ?</p>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/46002331679http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/46002331679Fri, 22 Mar 2013 13:01:05 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/8e4960510d7ca529485e440fab5f9530/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo1_400.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/983a982f4d8888a635aab5e60903278e/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo2_400.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/558422bae52275bd1f231a2acb40eab0/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo3_400.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/b516896d50a10a44a0ff1fb771fedc99/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo4_400.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/94995e4009279df43f1dd2310bc0ee42/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo5_400.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/b56e2dc07156a789e0a56a839da2181d/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo6_400.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/2ebdb0783e2a5e7eafb17879454a0621/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo7_400.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/fed1de866419d08dbfff2501eb3e6240/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo8_400.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/3593e8d53ad73336049cc37bc99119f7/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo9_400.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/99777d3f61cd91f80c241d743b53101e/tumblr_mepc10skXf1rdbx1oo10_400.png"/><br/> <br/><blockquote> <p><a href="http://www.pixiv.net/member_illust.php?mode=medium&illust_id=4211541">机タワー</a><br/> by <a href="http://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=14465">磯部トースト＠3日目東ユ51b</a></p> </blockquote>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/39069415934http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/39069415934Fri, 28 Dec 2012 15:50:43 -0600<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3jadhllw31qhtl9zo1_400.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Lol. Been there so many times.</p>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/36342606008http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/36342606008Fri, 23 Nov 2012 01:39:57 -0600<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdjvwsZ7C91qfjnoro1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/35798545216http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/35798545216Thu, 15 Nov 2012 16:31:26 -0600<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbtvw44YAo1qek342o1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/33707718548http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/33707718548Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:13:09 -0500<p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://hipsterpandas.tumblr.com/post/33234357958">hipsterpandas</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlaz1PVJ1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlbsomm91qlik8a.jpg"/><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlbzYlAE1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlcc2rIg1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlcuJuFt1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdld2MRpW1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdldd9Wfu1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdle9scMY1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlelSqaf1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlevbmiF1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlf4Nr8Y1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlfgWovM1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlfpK7Fy1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> <p><img src="http://media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lsdlg3pNRA1qlik8a.jpg"/></p> </blockquote>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/33707465472http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/33707465472Tue, 16 Oct 2012 09:04:35 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb84ewGV3Q1qzcj4vo1_500.gif"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mb84ewGV3Q1qzcj4vo2_r3_500.gif"/><br/> <br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://shieldhydraleviathan.tumblr.com/post/32780378485/trungles-kiwicatlover-cartoon-network-2002">shieldhydraleviathan</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://trungles.tumblr.com/post/32681852886/kiwicatlover-cartoon-network-2002-2012">trungles</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://kiwicatlover.tumblr.com/post/32679039652/cartoon-network-2002-2012-well-this">kiwicatlover</a>:</p> <blockquote> <blockquote> <p><small>Cartoon Network 2002 & 2012.</small></p> </blockquote> <p>well, this certainly says a lot. ._.</p> </blockquote> <p>Overwhelmed by deep sadness.</p> </blockquote> <p>seriously their own fault. </p> </blockquote>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/33707159719http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/33707159719Tue, 16 Oct 2012 08:54:56 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maji69K2OJ1rc3ju9o7_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maji69K2OJ1rc3ju9o8_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maji69K2OJ1rc3ju9o9_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maji69K2OJ1rc3ju9o10_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_maji69K2OJ1rc3ju9o11_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://funniest.1000notes.com/post/32071504608/follow-this-blog-youll-love-it-on-your">the-absolute-funniest-posts</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><a href="http://goo.gl/HESc6"><strong>Follow this blog, you’ll love it on your dashboard!</strong></a></p> </blockquote> <p>every one of these is greatness</p>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/32092749083http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/32092749083Sat, 22 Sep 2012 21:11:43 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ma91z06rKt1qf8rjmo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://samspratt.tumblr.com/post/31408736623/the-5-stages-of-iphone-5-grief">samspratt</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>The 5 Stages of iPhone 5 Grief</strong></p> </blockquote>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/31469482913http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/31469482913Thu, 13 Sep 2012 12:59:33 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9afltnjgI1qz8qfno1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9afltnjgI1qz8qfno2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9afltnjgI1qz8qfno3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9afltnjgI1qz8qfno4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9afltnjgI1qz8qfno5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9afltnjgI1qz8qfno6_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9afltnjgI1qz8qfno7_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m9afltnjgI1qz8qfno8_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://danhacker.tumblr.com/post/30140925227/skottie-youngs-marvel-now-baby-variant-covers">danhacker</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong>Skottie Young’s Marvel NOW! Baby Variant Covers</strong></p> <p>Following the success of the Avengers Vs X-Men baby variant cover comissioned by Midtown Comics and the A Babies Vs X-Babies comic that inspired these covers, Marvel has Skottie Young doing Baby variant covers for all of the new Marvel now titles. Marvel will probably run these into the ground like they did with the Marvel Zombies franchise, but goddamn, look at how amazing Skottie Young’s art is. I’m not even really a Deadpool fan but that Baby Deadpool cover is adorable. </p> <p>via:<a href="http://www.bleedingcool.com/2012/08/24/all-the-skottie-young-marvel-now-baby-variant-covers/">bleedingcoolnews</a></p> </blockquote>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/30324760445http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/30324760445Mon, 27 Aug 2012 12:38:39 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4fpizyMZR1r5zq6ao1_250.gif"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4fpizyMZR1r5zq6ao2_250.gif"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4fpizyMZR1r5zq6ao3_500.gif"/><br/> <br/>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/27566285356http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/27566285356Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:14:09 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6sbx1lA4i1qg39ewo1_500.gif"/><br/><br/>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/27078253274http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/27078253274Thu, 12 Jul 2012 17:12:45 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuagjcNwB1qakyzao1_250.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuagjcNwB1qakyzao2_250.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuagjcNwB1qakyzao3_250.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuagjcNwB1qakyzao4_250.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuagjcNwB1qakyzao5_250.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuagjcNwB1qakyzao6_r1_250.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuagjcNwB1qakyzao7_250.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuagjcNwB1qakyzao8_250.png"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyuagjcNwB1qakyzao9_250.png"/><br/> <br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://mrfrivolous.tumblr.com/post/21513079352/mrs-frivolous-why-are-you-so-beautiful">mrfrivolous</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Mrs.Frivolous why are you so beautiful?</p> </blockquote>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/21588715069http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/21588715069Sun, 22 Apr 2012 13:50:55 -0500<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/GnpUcplToi0?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>A.DD+ - Under feat. Dustin Cavazos<br/><br/>A definite must listen  </p>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/19720134836http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/19720134836Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:43:49 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0p5n2I9qO1qb57azo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p><a class="tumblr_blog" href="http://lulubonanza.tumblr.com/post/19091229794/spider-man-heinz-pasta-ad">lulubonanza</a>:</p> <blockquote> <p>Spider-Man Heinz Pasta Ad</p> </blockquote>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/19713398230http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/19713398230Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:22:23 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0yrdqf04m1qfjnoro1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Update of where Im at on this one …… (prolly one of the pieces i have spent the most time on, started in November and have worked here and there on, most other pieces I knock out in a couple hours. </p>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/19387679885http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/19387679885Fri, 16 Mar 2012 01:01:02 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyqxxcS8JK1qfjnoro1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyqxxcS8JK1qfjnoro2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/16903107353http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/16903107353Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:34:23 -0600<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyqxuuju2B1qfjnoro3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyqxuuju2B1qfjnoro1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyqxuuju2B1qfjnoro2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/16903021501http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/16903021501Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:32:52 -0600<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyqxrdrSe31qfjnoro1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyqxrdrSe31qfjnoro2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyqxrdrSe31qfjnoro3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lyqxrdrSe31qfjnoro4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/>http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/16902896543http://thagrouch.tumblr.com/post/16902896543Wed, 01 Feb 2012 21:30:46 -0600