fluffywalrus wrote...
Ignis Mors wrote...
Those are interesting questions. And they have me thinking about parts of the characters past that I haven't before. (Rubs hands together while laughing like a stereotypical villain.)
It can lead to fun writing exercises. I ran some of the canon characters (Tali, Garrus, Anderson) through, and filled in blanks where I felt appropriate, reasonable, or when I was feeling creative. Helps me approach the characters easier, and lets me extrapolate from what the game lets us know about them, and gives me the opportunity to add y personal interpretation a little. 
Like i said before, it helps fill characters with attributes and experiences that bring them to life, that are much like what we go through.
You know, I just started writing an original novel this week and I was having a bit of a crisis with the main protagonist that sounds similar to what you're going through. Fluffywalrus has given some great advice here and I suggest if you're struggling for long-term character development, simply grab a pencil and scrap of paper and draw a 'character map'. It's a logical, maybe even clinical approach but it works. The exercise is as follows:
Step 1: Divide your story up into stages, depending on the narrative. This can be something as simple as beginning, middle and end, or you can do it by major events. In ME1, for example, I would divide it by major location, i.e Eden Prime, Citadel, Therum, Feros, etc etc.
Step 2: Take three defining traits of your character and put them in the first box. Then, go to the next box and consider how much this character has changed, if at all.
Step 3: Next, pick
two characteristics from the first box and transfer them to the second box and pick a new one to add.
Step 4: Rinse and repeat until you have a fully planned development arc spanning the entire story. This can be relatively subtle or severe as befits your story but I can't stress how clear this will make things in your mind.
In my experience, writing can be a very organic and fluid process but don't rely on that frame of mind - it's temperamental, unreliable and very inconsistent. RPing can be a great way to get 'into their heads' but it won't guarantee an even and smooth character development. Some element of careful planning is required for that.
My advice is to look at your characters (and your story as a whole) with a good degree of logical thinking. Your story construction will only improve and the results may surprise you.
Modifié par mothbanquet, 08 décembre 2012 - 10:31 .
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