Post by Nemesis on Apr 29, 2007 18:40:00 GMT -5
This is something I need to get off my chest. It’s a lil bit of a rant and a lot of suggestions.
This is in no way a reflection of the rules of this forum.
Its simply something derived from my own opinions and point of view when it comes to role play, and it isn’t meant to make anyone trash their current character.
Its something that could be useful in developing your skills in creating, writing and designing your character, or future characters.
The main thing to keep in mind is the purpose of this forum and its basis, Ravenblack, or Vampires: a Dark Alleyway.
There is a difference between writing original Role-play, and writing Fan Fiction.
One of the hardest things in creating a vampire character for role-play purposes in a forum is making it an original and unique character.
There is a huge difference between basing your character off your favorite hero or villain in a book, movie or television show, and simply using/copying that character.
If you name your vampire after a character from a book, television show, movie, etc, that doesn’t mean your vampire, as an RP creation, has to completely resemble that character.
Example:
My vampires name is Nemesis. Nemesis, in mythology, was a goddess. In my writing, I do not make my vampire Nemesis a goddess in any way as far as her history/life. She does not have mythology-based parents, past life, history, etc. that in any way resemble the Nemesis of mythology. All I am using is the name, because it’s cool.
The history I created for my vampire Nemesis is based on a variety of cools things I’ve read or seen in movies, adding twists and elements of my own design, making her 100% my creation, and pretty damn original. Things such as, she’s a vampire, but terribly afraid of coffins. She has an odd human heritage. She has another presence and personality in her head (not exactly a split personality). Not all original ideas, no, but smooshed and twisted to varying degree’s, they become unlike anyone elses.
I use different vampire lore in what she likes and doesn’t like and her limitations. For instance, she CAN see her reflection in a mirror, she CAN admire/touch crucifixes; she doesn’t need to sleep in a coffin. Where as other vampire lore, such as aversions to sunlight or garlic and holy water, do apply to her, because the latter two are ‘in game’ weapons. I simply used various things and smooshed them together to create a character that is believable in the theme of vampirism. I’ve spent several years now developing my character.
Now, I have seen many vampires in various RP forums that are pretty much copies of already created characters from movies, books, television shows,etc.
An example would be Naruto, or Hellsing, two very popular animes and books such as the Anne Rice novels.
One thing that should be stressed, is that if you copy that anime’s/novel’s character history, that boarders on plagiarism, and could possibly infringe on copyright laws. Both are frowned upon, not to mention illegal.
And in the aspect of role-play, you are not really role playing an original character, all you are doing, in essence, is writing fan fiction.
In most situations, if you look at the book/movie/television show character, a lot of times their use just wouldn’t work in the Ravenblack vampires theme.
There is nothing wrong with using a character already in creation as a base. Take your favorite character, or better yet, several characters, and combined them into one. Say perhaps your favorite hero is brave, and would defend his/her friends to the death, but your favorite villain seems to outwit him in the snappy comeback department, or has a personality or style of dress or fighting technique that is a little more erratic and spontaneous. Merge the two; adding in other personality traits that you just think would suit YOU, for your writing of this character.
For a history, rather than copy a characters history from a show or book, take different elements from other places. Update or modernize it, give it a slightly different upbringing, different childhood friends, etc. Make it older or younger. Mixing a variety of those options will give you a more original creation, making your vampire and its RP, truly your own with a little more originality.
If you’d truly like a more original character, one that you can truly call your own, but are having a hard time with ideas, or just how to start it off, you can always contact a staff member. We have varying degrees of experience, and we all have our own style of writing. We’re here to help you get the most out of writing and role-playing here. Don’t hesitate to ask for ideas, or help/advice, when you need it.
This is in no way a reflection of the rules of this forum.
Its simply something derived from my own opinions and point of view when it comes to role play, and it isn’t meant to make anyone trash their current character.
Its something that could be useful in developing your skills in creating, writing and designing your character, or future characters.
The main thing to keep in mind is the purpose of this forum and its basis, Ravenblack, or Vampires: a Dark Alleyway.
There is a difference between writing original Role-play, and writing Fan Fiction.
One of the hardest things in creating a vampire character for role-play purposes in a forum is making it an original and unique character.
There is a huge difference between basing your character off your favorite hero or villain in a book, movie or television show, and simply using/copying that character.
If you name your vampire after a character from a book, television show, movie, etc, that doesn’t mean your vampire, as an RP creation, has to completely resemble that character.
Example:
My vampires name is Nemesis. Nemesis, in mythology, was a goddess. In my writing, I do not make my vampire Nemesis a goddess in any way as far as her history/life. She does not have mythology-based parents, past life, history, etc. that in any way resemble the Nemesis of mythology. All I am using is the name, because it’s cool.
The history I created for my vampire Nemesis is based on a variety of cools things I’ve read or seen in movies, adding twists and elements of my own design, making her 100% my creation, and pretty damn original. Things such as, she’s a vampire, but terribly afraid of coffins. She has an odd human heritage. She has another presence and personality in her head (not exactly a split personality). Not all original ideas, no, but smooshed and twisted to varying degree’s, they become unlike anyone elses.
I use different vampire lore in what she likes and doesn’t like and her limitations. For instance, she CAN see her reflection in a mirror, she CAN admire/touch crucifixes; she doesn’t need to sleep in a coffin. Where as other vampire lore, such as aversions to sunlight or garlic and holy water, do apply to her, because the latter two are ‘in game’ weapons. I simply used various things and smooshed them together to create a character that is believable in the theme of vampirism. I’ve spent several years now developing my character.
Now, I have seen many vampires in various RP forums that are pretty much copies of already created characters from movies, books, television shows,etc.
An example would be Naruto, or Hellsing, two very popular animes and books such as the Anne Rice novels.
One thing that should be stressed, is that if you copy that anime’s/novel’s character history, that boarders on plagiarism, and could possibly infringe on copyright laws. Both are frowned upon, not to mention illegal.
And in the aspect of role-play, you are not really role playing an original character, all you are doing, in essence, is writing fan fiction.
In most situations, if you look at the book/movie/television show character, a lot of times their use just wouldn’t work in the Ravenblack vampires theme.
There is nothing wrong with using a character already in creation as a base. Take your favorite character, or better yet, several characters, and combined them into one. Say perhaps your favorite hero is brave, and would defend his/her friends to the death, but your favorite villain seems to outwit him in the snappy comeback department, or has a personality or style of dress or fighting technique that is a little more erratic and spontaneous. Merge the two; adding in other personality traits that you just think would suit YOU, for your writing of this character.
For a history, rather than copy a characters history from a show or book, take different elements from other places. Update or modernize it, give it a slightly different upbringing, different childhood friends, etc. Make it older or younger. Mixing a variety of those options will give you a more original creation, making your vampire and its RP, truly your own with a little more originality.
If you’d truly like a more original character, one that you can truly call your own, but are having a hard time with ideas, or just how to start it off, you can always contact a staff member. We have varying degrees of experience, and we all have our own style of writing. We’re here to help you get the most out of writing and role-playing here. Don’t hesitate to ask for ideas, or help/advice, when you need it.