OC Stories?

[Ghost 1,857]

There have probably been a bajillion topics about this already but, I'm going to ask my own anyways (ooo such rebel. vry edgy. much scare) out of curiosity.

 

If I like the idea for a story and the characterization for all characters, canon and OC, then of course I have no problem wih OC stories. Of course we've all seen some shitty oc stories - whether the OC is a Mary Sue or the canon characters are terribly OOC - they're abundant.

 

But hey, some of my favourite stories are OC stories. What's best is when an oc story has some *gasp* CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT and its main focus is not all about the romance! Sure romance is my third favourite category, behind humor and friendship, but it's refreshing when the romance isn't like...bam. Like, I always prefer when it happens later on in the story as opposed to right away, y'know?

 

 

Anyways, yeah. Just curious what people thougt of them. I had this idea in my head for an OC fic of a different series, but only because I would literally not be able to execute it properly WITHOUT making it an AU. And Iiiiii don't like writing AUs. Yeah.

 

I know a lot of people look down on OC stories, especially the super talented writers. But I have seen a lot done extremely well, so i personally don't see anything wrong with them, just wondering what everyone thinks.

 

P.S. This post is Ebony Dark'ness Dementia Raven Way - free. Don't worry, your eyes are safe.

[Elrandir 783]

I do not have problems with OC stories because there are many good ones out there that are about OCs that I like.

If you write that story then I would like to read it.

[Jilly Shears 2,144]

The way I look at it, OC stories are okay if they don't make the "totally original guys DO NOT STEAL" character seem like they're the most important person in the universe and everyone falls for them and they're totally cool with cool powers no one else has and has a Japanese name despite being the whitest person ever and has a tragic past and-

 

Well, you get the point. Just don't be making special snowflakes.

 

EDIT: Also sweet My Immortal reference btdubs; just saying that off the record.

Edited November 1, 2013 by Jilly Shears

[Ghost 1,857]

Thanks, y'all!

[Dracozombie 4,554]

Depending on the fandom, like KH, I actually prefer AUs.

 

By OCs, you're talking about fan characters in specific, right?  Because I define them differently.  OCs are your own completely original characters made for your own universe.  Fan characters are your own characters to be used in fanfics.  That's my definition for it, at least.

 

I had an epiphany quite a while back that changed my perspective on OCs.  Spending significant time in the Sonic the Hedgehog fandom in my early years of fandom-ing had soured my views towards OCs, regardless of their merit.  Then I moved onto other fandoms and my head cooled, and I met some of the more talented OC writers out there.  I learned that my current view towards OCs has nothing to do with how (not) well-done or (un)interesting they are; OCs just aren't things I want to read about in fanfiction, and that had led me to dismiss all OCs out of principle.

 

Often times, an OC is more defined by their relation to canon than having specific traits, like eyes that change colors or being someone's long-lost sibling.  There's also how, when you go into fanfics, you already have an emotional attachment to characters and concepts.  OCs are strangers, and some readers just plain don't like it when that stranger steps on the toes of what they already enjoy.  They're threatening a territory, so to speak, and so some readers won't give OCs a chance.  And why should they have to?  They're probably going into fanfiction for what they already love.  People have different tastes and for many of us, OCs aren't one of them.

 

Also, the more I grew as a writer, the more I felt that I'd rather keep canon characters and my own characters separate.  It just doesn't feel right to me having my own characters interact with the canon characters.  If I ever felt the need to write my own characters in fanfiction, it'd take place away from what the canon characters are doing and I'd just use the canonical setting.  As I said, OCs tend to be more defined by their relation to canon, and I'd rather they be as non canon-breaking as possible.

[Philip Ellwell 5,487]

I mostly post OC's: Sadly, I've fallen victom to the romance bug on occasion....

I always break canon: all my KH OC's share with their original counterparts is name only.

[Ghost 1,857]

Depending on the fandom, like KH, I actually prefer AUs.By OCs, you're talking about fan characters in specific, right? Because I define them differently. OCs are your own completely original characters made for your own universe. Fan characters are your own characters to be used in fanfics. That's my definition for it, at least.I had an epiphany quite a while back that changed my perspective on OCs. Spending significant time in the Sonic the Hedgehog fandom in my early years of fandom-ing had soured my views towards OCs, regardless of their merit. Then I moved onto other fandoms and my head cooled, and I met some of the more talented OC writers out there. I learned that my current view towards OCs has nothing to do with how (not) well-done or (un)interesting they are; OCs just aren't things I want to read about in fanfiction, and that had led me to dismiss all OCs out of principle.Often times, an OC is more defined by their relation to canon than having specific traits, like eyes that change colors or being someone's long-lost sibling. There's also how, when you go into fanfics, you already have an emotional attachment to characters and concepts. OCs are strangers, and some readers just plain don't like it when that stranger steps on the toes of what they already enjoy. They're threatening a territory, so to speak, and so some readers won't give OCs a chance. And why should they have to? They're probably going into fanfiction for what they already love. People have different tastes and for many of us, OCs aren't one of them.Also, the more I grew as a writer, the more I felt that I'd rather keep canon characters and my own characters separate. It just doesn't feel right to me having my own characters interact with the canon characters. If I ever felt the need to write my own characters in fanfiction, it'd take place away from what the canon characters are doing and I'd just use the canonical setting. As I said, OCs tend to be more defined by their relation to canon, and I'd rather they be as non canon-breaking as possible.

Well that's your definition and I suppose "original" might not be the best term, but they're still fan-created characters. Idk I've used it since 7th grade, it's a popular term and I'm not abouta change now haha. They're still uh... "Original" probably not in the technical sense, but in that they originated from a fan? Or since, they're supposed to be original, we'd hope no two people come up with the same exact/super similar original character.Well people have the option to read things - I know a lot of people avoid OC stories, but some people actually look for them. Others might click one, if it looks good or out of curiosity. I don't judge stories based on whether or not there's an OC - i've seen stories with only canon characters that suck, and I've seen stories with some OCs that suck. There's ups and downs for everything. Though i've honestly never talked with a person who felt so defensive over something that they hate OCs with a burning passion... most people like them or are just indifferent, at least from who I'e met.Edit: Oh yeah just to clarify since im very bad at explaining things, I wasnt referring to you by the above, btw ^ just making that clear because i'm too damn vague with shit Edited November 2, 2013 by Ducky