BazzieGabby

Now. Your OC. Or, your Y/N.

To put it simply, Y/N means Y-Your / N- name.

OC means O-Original C-Character

However these two roles are completely different with a completely different meaning!

Y/N is replaces the character that is meant for the reader is to imagine themselves in the story.

OC is when the writer creates a character with an already developed story with their own traits and backstory.

If you either choose these options, think about when you develop your Y/N or OC.

If you are planning to write a fanfic that includes a Y/N reader inset, we can’t be completely sure of the reader’s traits. This uncertainty includes their personalities, appearance, and hobbies. Sometimes authors assume traits that make the readers feel relatable so they can still imagine themselves in the story. Here are some comprehensive questions for you to build the Y/N you want:

1. What is Y/N’s role in the story? (Protagonist, sidekick, love interest, etc.)

2. How much of Y/N’s personality is pre-defined versus left ambiguous for reader projection?

3. What backstory is essential for Y/N to fit into the world and interact with other characters?

4. What is Y/N’s relationship to the core cast (e.g., familial, friendly, romantic, or antagonistic)?

5. Are there specific features necessary for plot relevance? (e.g., scars, eye color tied to powers, heritage, etc.)

6. How does Y/N’s appearance fit within the cultural or historical setting of the story?

7. How does Y/N fit into the story’s setting or world? (Culturally, socially, geographically.)

8. Are there unique skills or knowledge Y/N has that are essential to the plot?

9. How does the story world react to Y/N’s presence?

10. Does Y/N have a sense of humor? If so, is it sarcastic, dry, playful, or something else?

11. How does Y/N handle emotions? Are they expressive, reserved, or somewhere in between?

12. How much of Y/N’s physical appearance should be described? Will you leave it vague for the reader to fill in or include certain defining features?

13. Does Y/N have any notable physical abilities or limitations?

14. Are they particularly strong, fast, or injured at any point in the story?

15. Are there cultural or environmental factors that influence Y/N’s appearance or style (e.g., clothing, hairstyle)?

16. How does Y/N develop relationships? Are they cautious, trusting, or something else entirely?

Now when it comes to OC, it is your responsibility as an author/artist. You need to develop their stories, traits, personalities, relationships, etc.

You also have to name your OC, which can be hard to do, especially when creating characters in general. I can’t say for everyone but I use this website called BehindtheName.

This website located names along their meanings, it also categories names from each country, as well as cultures as well. It also includes mythology and fiction names in the website.

Aside the name, the OC is still in the fanfic you choose to write into, here are questions for you to build your OC character for this fanfiction:

1. What is your OC’s name? Does it have any cultural, symbolic, or story-related significance?
2. How old is your OC, and does their age influence their role or interactions with others in the story?
3. What are their pronouns and gender identity? Does this affect their interactions in the story’s world?
4. What is their physical appearance (e.g., height, hair color, eye color, body type)? How much of this aligns with the world’s setting?
5. What are your OC’s defining personality traits? Are they optimistic, cautious, bold, etc.?
6. Does your OC have any quirks or habits that make them distinct (e.g., fidgeting, a unique way of speaking)?
7. How does your OC approach challenges? Are they logical, emotional, impulsive, or methodical?
8. What is your OC’s moral alignment (e.g., lawful good, chaotic neutral)? How does this guide their actions in the fanfic?
9. How does your OC respond to failure or setbacks? Do they grow from it, dwell on it, or push forward?
10. What is your OC’s origin or backstory? Does it tie directly into the fanfiction’s world (e.g., from a certain kingdom, faction, or group)?
11. What significant events from their past shape who they are in the present?
12. Are there unresolved elements from their backstory that will affect their arc in the fanfic?
13. How does your OC interact with the canon characters? Are they friends, rivals, mentors, etc.?
14. What unique dynamic does your OC bring to their relationships with canon characters?
15. How does your OC view the main characters’ goals or actions? Do they align or conflict with them?
16. Will readers root for your OC? Why or why not?

Here are some things that can help with creating your fanfiction. If you have any questions or requests, please leave an email on the contact me page!