Advice: Some thoughts on writing characters

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Seeing as I'm writing the chapters of Displaced into Nothing where a bunch of the characters show up, I've decided I should write some notes. These are the 3 things that I feel every author should be aware of when writing. These won't make your characters great, but if you do these things right, your characters will automatically come off as if you know what you're doing.

Diction

One of my big issues with most fanfiction is the way that character speech is written. A huge chunk of characterization starts with the way a character talks, but I often find that authors just don't understand diction. Even the ham-fisted Applejack spouting countryisms can be better than Applejack who speaks just like every other character, or the Twilight who uses a bunch of slang. There have been moments where I can't even imagine the character saying things in their own voice. If you can't see the writers of the show writing a character's lines a certain way, don't write it like that. Before writing a character, at least be aware of their diction and try to follow it. It helps to try to read lines out loud in the character's voices after you write out a scene to correct this.

Attitude: Motivations and Perspective

Applejack doesn't abandon her family, Pinkie Pie doesn't murder ponies, Twilight doesn't shrug off the impossible, Fluttershy isn't a daredevil, Rainbow doesn't think things through, Rarity doesn't give up on a whim. These are just things that don't happen. All the characters have different perspectives and value systems which make them behave differently than each other, and, most importantly, can lead to interpersonal conflict between characters. If you can have at least one moment in the story where two characters actually disagree on things due to their attitude or motives,

Why people like the character

Good authors almost never put in characters they don't like something about. When writing a character, you need to understand what makes them an interesting character and write about that: never create a character just for people to dislike unless it's a joke character that meets some terrible misfortune. For example, many people find Pinkie Pie annoying. If you find her annoying, don't write her as annoying, find out what it is that people like about the character, and write her with those people in mind. It's annoying to me to see so many authors trying to write these grand stories and suddenly see this jarringly negative-slanted view of an established character, far more jarring than seeing a character who is doing better than normal, like how Pinkie Pie is sometimes written as being one of the smarter characters. (the show gives little evidence that she's well educated, but assuming she is works really well in fanfiction)

NEW: I did the Young Six in another one!

The Main Characters

Note that this isn't necessarily the best list, but it's functional enough for my needs right now. I'll be coming back to work on this list as I write it...

Twilight

• Diction - Twilight doesn't use many contractions, but also doesn't talk like a robot. She talks like she's trying to give a clear lecture most of the time. She's also the most soft-speaking character after Fluttershy. She sometimes likes casual wordplay and sarcasm, and has a very strong vocabulary.
• Attitude - Twilight is an academic who is both willing to try new things and believes everything has a logical explanation. She is motivated by scientific inquiry and her value of friendship.
• Likable Traits - Twilight is often used as a vehicle for science and rationality, scepticism, and exposition on the setting. Her social awkwardness is used by the writers as a tool for both education and conflict creation, and also makes her relatable. She is also the otherwise meek character who finds themselves wielding great power, and is a moral paragon at that.

Spike

• Diction - Spike was raised by Twilight, which gives him a similar diction. He is a bit more prone to slang and casual language, and has a less developed vocabulary.
• Attitude - Spike is the youngest and least experienced character, but taking care of Twilight has given him wisdom beyond his years. He is the most down-to-earth character, and often ends up being the voice of reason. His better side is motivated to help others, especially Twilight, and to show that he too has virtue. His worse side is driven by greed, envy, and jealousy. He also likes the simple pleasures in life.
• Likable Traits - Spike is male. He is about the maturity of a young teen, though about as responsible as a young adult, making him a relatable role-model for anyone that age. He also has these cool dragon traits which separate him from the society he lives in. He is essential to any Twilight story, and makes a great foil for her panicky science attitude.

Pinkie Pie

• Diction - Pinkie Pie talks fast when excited, and at an even pace most of the time. She likes to toss in slang that she made up on the spot, and tends to be very animated when she speaks, tossing down squeals and gasps. She talks simply most of the time, but often surprises characters with her vocabulary. She has a few stock phrases.
• Attitude - She seems to hold a belief that everyone is deserving of friendship and laughter, and tends to not scare easily, cracking jokes at inappropriate times. She is motivated, not only by an insatiable desire to have and spread joy, but her universal love for all other creatures, most of all her friends.
• Likable Traits - Pinkie Pie can be good for comic relief, simplifying complex topics, or throwing in key bits of insight at the right moment. Also, the way she behaves is pretty wacky, and can be fun for some people. Exploration of her emotional states and her weird abilities has gone over well in the past.

Applejack

• Diction - Country-ish, but still very understandable. Remember that Applejack has been formally educated and has a decent vocabulary: think more simple southern belle than illiterate hillbilly. Also, she doesn't say "Sugarcube" as often as people think: my advice is to limit that to once per story.
• Attitude - No-nonsense, family oriented, appreciates the simple pleasures like the value of a hard day's work. Very loyal to her friends and family.
• Likable Traits - Applejack is down to earth and has a very straightforward view of situations, but is also smart enough to grasp situational depth, making her a good "every man". She is also dependable and honest. At the same time, her tendency to let things spiral out of control when she gets in over her head, or to get in her head in the first place with that brute force approach, is a good vehicle for comedic and dramatic situations. (in the Spyro Displaced I read recently, she is the one to immediately assume he is the bad guy without stopping to get real information) Finally, Applejack lost both parents and had to raise a little sister and run a farm from a very young age: she knows pain, she knows hardship, and she's damn tough on the outside with a tender loving interior.

Rarity

• Diction - Speaks with a posh accent, often not using contractions as much as Twilight, and usually doesn't use slang that isn't fashion-oriented without lampshading it. Has several stock phrases, such as "Darling!" and "you simply MUST!".
• Attitude - Very neat, clean, and meticulously picky, but also very generous and kind.
• Likable Traits - Helpful, beautiful, makes outfits for other characters. Rarity's dramatic streak makes for great comedy.

Rainbow

• Diction - Speaks in slang, almost lazy with her methods of speaking.
• Attitude - Many people misinterpret Rainbow's Loyalty. Yeah, she has a lot of trouble with it, but she's also Loyal on pretty much every level: to her friends, to her country, to her ideals, and to herself. Granted, she's also got a competitive and narcissistic streak, crippling needs for attention and praise, and a stubborn and simple-minded attitude, all of which lead to her being downright reckless at times. She would die for what she cares about though without hesitation.
• Likable Traits - Rainbow's unwavering conviction has lead to stuff like the Austraeoh series, stories where she goes to these extreme lengths that would literally kill anything less than her on pure willpower. She's like a Greek hero in that respect. Her cocky, flippant, and self-absorbed attitude make her great for rousing speeches, competitive banter, insulting villains, and comedic idiocy. Like Applejack, her stubbornness and simplistic mindset can create drama and comedy.

Fluttershy

• Diction - Quiet, calm, reserved, but also speaks very clearly. Says "um" a lot, which is part of her unsureness of her own words. She is very careful not to insult, and often apologizes.
• Attitude - An insecure wreck, terrified of leaving her comfort zone, and comically afraid of superficial things. The only thing stronger than her fear is her sense of sympathy for all suffering beings. She's a somewhat competent caretaker who will go out of her way to show kindness and delights in seeing new things. (...from a safe distance)
• Likable Traits - Fluttershy is great for actually getting a character through an injury or emotionally devastating time. She's also hilarious because of her over-the-top timidness. She's also good with animals, and a very soft and pretty pony if you just want a cute moment or a mane to brush.

Discord

• Diction - Speaks in a somewhat grandiose manner, somewhat theatrical, like Rarity. He likes to use a few big words and go off on these little tangents in the middle of things, and will often use these sort of winding explanations.
• Attitude - Revels in chaos and humor, but can also appreciate things like a tender moment with fluttershy. He's excited by new things, as they represent change, but has seen so much that he often has to resort to some crazy things. Discord is also insecure, easy to anger, and has seemingly no empathy, or even the ability to understand the feelings of others in an intellectual level, until Fluttershy got to him. In more recent episodes, he has shown a desire to teach ponies like Twilight through roundabout hijinks. One thing Discord is not is a killer: dead things do not do funny things, and besides, he's not actually evil, he just has a different set of values and perspectives on the world. He's basically a classical fae creature.
• Likable Traits - Alara J Rogers is probably the best writer Discord has ever seen, so she's a good reference. Discord is, first of all, a very powerful entity who enjoys just slinging around magic. He is also hilarious and fun. At the same time, Discord is heavily flawed: he has a very emotionally vulnerable core, and is still learning some very basic things about social interaction. This is a great vehicle for stories involving introspection and self-discovery. Discord comes off amazing when something legitimately sad happens in his life. (just, no more Fluttershy dying, it's been done to death.)

Luna

(check back later)

• Diction - She often drops back into old-english words and phrases, or inserts them into otherwise modern speech, so I suggest you look up how to use these properly. Don't skimp out by saying "she's learned to speak normally", because it's a HUGE part of selling her diction, and otherwise you'll have to really pin down the other parts about it. Luna's voice is succinct, deep, and somewhat brutish, like the warrior princess she's often made out to be. She doesn't use contractions often, and while she is eloquent, her words are very blunt and to the point. Unlike her sister, she is clearly a warrior-type, who doesn't get much casual interaction outside of close friends and lovers, and doesn't care about
• Attitude - Unlike her sister, Luna does not smile, but frowns, as her default look. She is tense, serious, and, though graceful and regal, is nowhere near as elegant as her sister. Instead, she is aloof, and somewhat easily flustered.
• Likable Traits -Luna, to most readers, represents the outcast, the dark side, and the tomboy. She has been portrayed as both the timid sufferer, or (my favorite) the powerful warrior princess, but always struggles with her emotions and guilt. Luna works extremely well as a lesbian or even trans-male, and those communities have latched onto her, meaning there is always an audience for stories where this is prominent, and most readers will quickly accept it. (I like to ship her with Twilight, but most characters could be easily made to work in their own unique and interesting ways)

Celestia

• Diction - By Contrast, Celestia has a very easy voice to listen to, sounding conventionally "beautiful", and speaks with a level of grace that is both above poshness and above the common speech. Her sentences are very concise, and should be written with a great amount of care, as this master diplomat / plotter / manipulator / inspirer speaks with a weight only seen in the most respected of queens. She also enunciates thoroughly, using near-timeless language that avoids slang or the less-common contractions.
• Attitude - Celestia is hard to phase, often described as having a practiced, serene smile, even while the situation around her is changing. She's graceful, regal, and kind, but doesn't take herself too seriously, despite ponies around her going nuts over her presence. She's actually annoyed, on some level, at the pomp and grandeur, but the constant adoration (and being amazing) also made her oblivious to the needs of others.
• Likable Traits - Celestia is not a background pony: when she shows up, she is almost always there for something to happen. Readers see her and expect either sagelike advice, intense high-powered action, or wacky hijinks from a godlike ruler who doesn't want to be worshiped.

Comments

[FTR2017]

This character analysis is quite a good reference for characterization that all of us fanfic writers could benefit from, so thank you for sharing your insight.

And I'd love to read your remaining analysis on the alicorn sisters and niece, if it were possible in a future release - they sure deserve some spotlight too, and to write them right can be difficult as they aren't as known as the main characters. :)

[Rockstar_Raccoon]

4642381
I'm going to fill in Luna before I sit down to turn her her part of Chapter 6 into prose, and Celestia's before I do so with Chapter 9.

Follow Displaced Into Nothing, it's specifically written to showcase underutilized concepts and be a good example for Displaced writers.

[FTR2017]

4642933
Oh, I am following that story - but will start reading when it has reached chapter ten, just so I have a nice, big amount of story to enjoy thoroughly.

Yeah, I am quite an avid reader. :)

[Chillean]

Good show on the breakdown of the characters.
Your summation of RD and Twilight were spot on, especially underlying characteristics that can be hinted at but not used with an iron fist.
For the young six, I've seen authors on the site pull them off really well so far, excluding Gallus. There's a lot of potential for him to bring some sensitive masculinity to the team, but most of what I've seen for him are homosexual connotations. Not that there's anything wrong with being gay, but I just thought there was some good threads left unpulled that had nothing to do with his sexuality.

[Rockstar_Raccoon]

4972965
I should link that Young Six one from here, and link the Young Six one to the new story. Glad you found this helpful too.

I also think making him gay is a bit silly, but I'm actually wondering if the "Gallus is gay" stuff is related to his voice actor. Then again, a large chunk of homeless youth are homeless youth because they are gay...