Feedback on Werah Unon

[Werah Unon]

Hi there.
It's almost a year since I first joined Chaos now, and I've done a lot in that time. However, I've been finding that, say...about 85% of the stuff I do on chaos is OOC. While a lot of that is obviously due to being a CJ, I feel like I'm neglecting my character. I mean, when I picture him, I can get a good sense of what he's like, but, I rarely do anything different. I really want to change that, so I'm asking for advice and feedback on how to proceed. I have greatly enjoyed faction-y stuff, but I find it hard to work my actual character into things. So, what do you guys think I should do? Any other advice or feedback about me or my character would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

[member="Werah Unon"]

My honest advice to any writer is always to create your character above and beyond their participation: they need personality, a backstory, and a reason for being that exists independently of who they write with and what factions and events they participate with. You're telling your story (and, by the by, I'd never recommend knowing what that story is going to be!), and you should do so regardless of where you're at. What's your character's objective in life? Are they looking to be the Hero? Are they looking to knock an enemy out of left field? Restore order to the Galaxy? Find a partner, have kids etc etc - essentially figure out what it is that they want. Everybody proceeds in life in that sort of way - our characters shouldn't be any different!

The beautiful thing about writing, to my mind, is that we can have all of that worked out and still never have a clue what's going to happen next. It's why I don't feel anything should ever really be planned: it's good to have goals and direction, but anything else is micro-managing your character. It's much better to bend with the wind, so to speak, and just flow with the events. Other writers will influence you, the story will push you in unexpected directions and that is by far the best thing for your storytelling self!

So, my advice: set some loose goals for your character, have a sense of their direction, then just jump into some threads (random or otherwise) and see how it flows from there. I'd never recommend getting hung up on a set storyline you have to complete: that's a great way to stagnate, because you feel tied to it, and have to see it through no matter what happens. That leads to stale, boring, tedious writing, and I want you to have some real joy in what you're writing. This, I feel, always comes best from the unexpected!

 

[Darth Prazutis]

[member="Werah Unon"]

My advice would be to introduce more conflict, tragedy/obstacles into his life. That's where someone is truly tested and where they will truly be changed and defined.

 

[Werah Unon]

[member="Darth Prazutis"] - I've done a lot of tragedy (Most of Werah's friends that he had trained with were brutally executed, and his girlfriend got shot down in a raid), but I guess the other stuff could help. Thanks!

[member="Tirdarius"] - Werah doesn't really have goals. Before, his dream was to be the most powerful FU in the galaxy, because he wishes he was strong enough to get revenge on those who caused him sorrow. But he now feels that personal power will never be enough, so he recreated the CIS in order to get revenge in that form. Now he's a lonely emperor, not sure which path to take.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

[member="Werah Unon"]

That's good! I've found over the years that change and a willingness to change through story if the story calls for it is one of the most important things for a writer to do with their characters. Some people aren't willing to go the extra mile IE: They'll do most stuff but won't turn their character over to the dark side even if the story or traumatizing moment called for it. Characters need to change and be able to change. From what I've seen Werah you've been doing exactly that in letting your character change and develop which is really good!