thepimpplan-blog - Tumblr blog

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      Excited to start this blog. Please bear with me as I finish my pages & things. I do hope to do Milla justice <3

[thepimpplan-blog]

                                 ( Positivity! | @thepimpplan​ )                                             Always Accepting!

You precious cutie pie that I love with all my heart! Your Zelos is actually so amazing, okay, and I just love you for even thinking to send things into my Inbox as often as you do – I love seeing you on my Dash and sending me memes, it really does make me unbelievable happy! Your Muse is precious, and I’m sure you are, too, as a Mun – 10000 times more so, in fact! And I look forward to interacting with you more OOC and IC in the future; please don’t ever feel shy about hitting me up, through Inbox or IM or anything!

[thepimpplan-blog]

The Writer’s 2¢ on Original Character (2.0)

[The original version had a read more, since I’ve changed my theme I’m making this version so that you can reblog and read it no problem. I took the opportunity to correct mistakes and rephrase a sentence or two.]

Ever since I’ve joined Tumblr almost three years ago, I came across a lot of hate, abrupt judgement and mistreatment of roleplayers attempting to write with their own original characters. While I joined Tumblr specifically to play a canon character (because on forums, when a canon character is taken, there can’t be a second version), I quickly became aware and shocked on how much it was thing and people struggle to let their imagination and their work respected. Three years, I see little change and I thought I would share my thought on the matter, remind what are original characters, why they matter (to me) and why they should matter to you.

There are three parts and a conclusion.

What are Original Characters? with definition and short commentary.

My history with Original Characters. you can skip it, but you’ll know why I care so much about ocs.

You should give Original Characters a chance. with an introduction, top three excuses (and how I call ‘bullshit’), wrong ideas on ocs and why if you don’t like oc you should respect them.

Conclusion.

What are Original Characters ?

Let’s define the words shall, we.

Original. (adjective)

1. present or existing from the beginning; first or earliest. 2. created personally by a particular artist, writer, musician, etc.; not a copy.

Character. (noun)

1. the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. 2. a person in a novel, play, or film…

I don’t think I can be more scholar than this, clearly, whether it’s Victor Hugo’s character of Quasimodo, Oda’s character of Luffy and my own character Greaves, they all fit in the definition of original character, which is a person in a novel, play, film (or any other work of fiction) created personally by a particular writer (not a copy).

Now, I understand why we make the distinction between CANON (licensed) and ORIGINAL (non-licensed) characters. In roleplaying it’s a way like another to avoid confusion between original work and content from our favourite show/novel/video game/anime/etc.

What I don’t understand is why is there so much prejudice against original characters, for example: Why are mediocre canon character portrayal forgiven while good original character are not even given a chance? Why do we give some slack to people with canon characters who don’t even have an about page, while we don’t bother reading the page of an original character because [ insert reason ]?

Now, before I go further, I have nothing against canon characters, I’ve played canon characters myself, I follow canon characters and each writers have various level of writing. What I fail to comprehend, is when did people decided, on this website, that as a roleplayer if choose to create your own character (oc) you are not treated the same as when you choose to portray an existing character (canon).

I think, most of my incomprehension comes from my writing background.

My history with Original Characters.

I’ve started roleplaying ten years ago and I’m glad that Tumblr didn’t exist at the time, I would have hated roleplaying.

When I started, I had no idea what was roleplaying at the time, my writing existed in two forms only: my own personal creative writing on the side (in notebooks, paper, in my head) and my creative writing at school. I love the two medium, one was 100% free, pure fiction, no rules, any type of characters (girl who could morph into a male wolf, magical non talking horses, etc). The other was more of a challenge because they were rules and restraints (a context, a theme, a place, a time), either way I had to created something from scratch or at least from what I was given to create my own characters and plot. So, obviously when a friend told me I could do this online and make my characters interact with others on forums I’ve jumped on the occasion.

The first character I’ve roleplayed was an original character. I’m telling you right now, she wasn’t great. Her name was Anamaria Time, came from England but her family was from Pakistan, she had a very flat (boring) personality, she had no goals, but she could time travel (no restrictions or limitations) and had a pet small dragon. Yet, because I’ve managed to fill the form (where you present your muse) needed to make her fit the context of the forum and I didn’t do much writing mistakes they accepted her. Six month later, I was spread across 36 forums, with 33 original characters (or characters created for the context and available to play). I’ve also discovered you could play existing characters if you felt you could portray them well (and fill the form correctly). I’ve tried a few time (Maes Hughes from Fullmetal Alchmst and Kurosaki Isshin from Bleach, but also a pre-created character, a wolf called Axel), but I’ve never been super comfortable, I preferred my own characters and it went on until 2013 when I’ve joined Tumblr because I wanted to portray Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece since I couldn’t find a One Piece forum where he wasn’t portrayed.

My love for original characters comes from forever, they are the reason why I started writing when I was seven years old and why I started roleplaying at 15 years old. I started like everyone, with bad/weak/underdeveloped characters and never, never, did anyone insulted me or my work. In the contrary, people helped me, supported me and guided me in making them better, some were abandoned, others were shaped through interactions and slowly I’ve learned to craft better characters. They were no stories or debate on Gary/Mary-sues or whether a character was self-insert, it was more about giving limits, some life to your character to balance interactions, even if strength were not equal and make it more interesting.

That’s how I’ve learned to be a better writer, because I was given a chance.

You should give Original Characters a chance.

I’m going on a gut feeling, but I believe most of us started to write because we love the craft, whether it is fanfiction or roleplaying. If we do, I have a hard time to believe that less than 80% of us created, at least, one original character. You can or cannot be comfortable sharing it with people or even roleplaying it, that’s another matter. Still, to me, you cannot not love writing and not love original characters. So, if I’m not wrong, the problem comes from another place, maybe a lack of curiosity and/or even respect.

Top three excuses why you don’t give them a chance (and how I call on your bullshit).

1.“I came across bad original characters”. 2.“I came across bad original characters”. 3.“I came across bad original characters”.

I don’t need to list the excuses, because most of the excuses I got really meant the same thing, which is you had bad experience with original characters before. Whether they were badly developed, ‘Gary/Mary-sue’, self-insert or they came to you for shipping or they were somehow related to your canon character… Well, they do exist, me too I came across those, I even roleplayed with some and I even created some characters who were one of those things.

News flash, I had similar experiences with existing characters (canon). I saw very bad portrayal of canon characters, yet, they were popular for some reason, I saw clumsy/mediocre portrayal of canon characters and many people lay a hand to help the writer to get better and comfortable in the exercise. I had canon characters coming to me asking about shipping possibility and then once refused went to another character to ask the same thing, until they found a couple of ships. There are some existing character that could be considered Mary-sue and other which could be self-insert if you dig deep into them.

For instance, I don’t see why you wouldn’t even bother take a look at the about page of an original character because of those bad experiences, when clearly bad experiences with canon characters doesn’t stop you from roleplaying.

Wrong ideas and why, if you don’t like oc you should respect them. (every original character is different).

1. All original characters are underdeveloped. FALSE.

Not everyone introduce their original character at the same stage. Some decide to introduce them with the minimum information, other will introduce their muse when they have everything (almost) set up. In both cases, there’s everything, good characters, those which need work, those who would need a complete re-write and those who seem solid but could develop a little more.

My only affirmation, is that, yes original characters are work in progress, but that doesn’t mean you can’t roleplay with them, that’s actually how most of them can grow in full tri-dimensional characters. The writers simply need a nudge and some support, to know if their creation needs work, whether it is to become interesting or to become unforgettable. Be curious, ask questions, ask to plot something to test the waters, tell a mun the truth if they contacted you (nicely), don’t leave them in the dark.

If you don’t want to bother, it’s fine, but don’t discourage or judge people around you who do, it is called respect.

2. All original characters are Gary-stu/Mary-sue. FALSE (unless…).

I hate that word. There I said it, it makes me cringe. I went to look up the definition of Mary-sue and it doesn’t make much sense to me, since +75% of existing characters fall in some part of the definition. I also personally think it restrict writer’s imagination and forget what fiction is all about (something that is invented or untrue). If you are still not convinced, I took the definition and divided in three categories with example for characters.

> an idealised and seemingly* perfect fictional character who saves the day through unrealistic abilities: Superman, Yoda, Mary Poppins, Tintin, Optimus Prime… > an idealised and seemingly* perfect young person who saves the day through unrealistic abilities: Arthur Pendragon, Katniss Everdeen, Harry Potter, Aang, Luke Skywalker… > an idealised and seemingly* perfect low-rank person who saves the day through unrealistic abilities: Indiana Jones, Ellen Ripley, Frodo Baggins, Atticus Finch, Po…

You don’t agree, fine, continue using that term if you wish but don’t give a hard time to original character creator who are still crafting their character or whose character fall in that dumb definition, it’s called respect.

* seemingly means giving the impression of being something or having a particular quality. For instance, in this case they may look perfect at first (when they execute their skills) but they aren’t.

3. All original characters are self-inserts. FALSE.

Do you know the definition of self-insertion? Do you know some authors use it in their creation (Rabelais for example) and even unintentionally?

It’s not all that bad, I don’t think it is as long as it remain within fiction and again not all original characters are self-insert. If you are uncomfortable with it you can be, but self-insert do not deserve hate, if you don’t like it, don’t read it, don’t roleplay with them, but don’t judge them, it’s called respect.

Conclusion.

I can’t make everyone like original character (even though they technically do) but I would like people to give chances to writers who are often anxious the moment they share their work and to have feedback on it. The best way would be to interact with them if you like the character and find a way to do so, send them memes (character development) or ask questions, in the end be as curious as you can be on someone’s portrayal of a canon character.

To finish, I’d like people to understand that original characters aren’t much different from canon characters, if you take the definition, they are exactly the same and for instance are likely to suffer from the same flaws. Each muse need a certain amount of work and thought behind them, for instance, you have to be curious and patient thus, you might end up be surprised of what could come out of a weak start. If you can’t be either, the least you must be is respectful to characters, the muns and those who support them. Get a grip, grow up, let fiction be what it is, our imagination running wild and free.

[thepimpplan-blog]

red kids that deserve better, so much better

[thepimpplan-blog]

i dont think I ever posted these!! The Chosens from Symphonia!

[thepimpplan-blog]

                               Just because the logic is sound, it doesn’t mean it’s right.

[thepimpplan-blog]

        He wasn’t sure what it was, perhaps just instinct from nearly getting killed quite a few times in his life, but Zelos’ body just reacted at the flash of metal coming down the woman’s hand. The fingers of his left hand pulled at the edges of the short sword, flipping it out of its sheath before grabbing the hilt and clashing the blade with the other blade. A step to the side and clearly fake laugh came from the Chosen.

                “ Woah there! No need to get violent all of a sudden, all you have to do is say no. ”

Without changing her expression much (besides putting on a FAKE smile), she drops a knife in her hand and lightly points it towards his hip. “Try it. See what’ll happen.”

[thepimpplan-blog]

Eyebrows furrowed together at the answer he was given, lips pressing together in a displeased manner. It seems the Chosen would have to spell it out for his beloved friend. He closed his eyes and turned his face away from the other, a hand raising as lips opened. His tone distasteful, as if he had just eaten something disgusting.

“ Look at you, all high and mighty. The great Lloyd Irving, benevolent leader has to shoulder everything by himself. Lie to his friends face because he has to carry everything on his shoulders.”

Eyes snapped open to stare a hole at Lloyd. Perhaps he was being a bit harsh over just a little lost sleep, but this was a big deal to the Zelos. He couldn’t stand the idea of someone telling him that they can trust them and turn around pretending their completely fine when they’re not doing so hot. For Lloyd to shoulder everything, pretend to be perfect. It was the Colette syndrome all over again.

“ We’re not a bunch of preschoolers who need to be coddled, Lloyd. ”

“ If something’s up, tell us. We can’t help you if you don’t let us know. Can’t believe I’m saying this, but we’re a party. You can’t have a party with just one person, that’s just pathetic. ”

“ One lonely guy drinking all by himself, sitting  in a corner watching other people. No one likes that lonely guy. He’s usually really nerdy or socially inept. Are you socially inept, Lloyd?...”

Zelos paused for a moment, finding himself rambling. Eyes turning away as he continued with the analogy. 

Zelos’ self-praise did make his lips twitch, both with irritation and a bit of amusement, but besides that, he didn’t say a word; he just…. hadn’t been able to sleep lately, knowing what was to come and how it was going to go—- He’d made such good friends with Colette and the others over their Journey; it was getting harder and harder for him to remain impartial when it came to the final event of it all.

The Chosen’s words struck him, made him blink once more and heavily note the sudden seriousness of the other’s face; it told so much, instantly changed the direction of the situation and, as such, Lloyd’s own face shifted to reflect it;

“—What makes you say that?”

[thepimpplan-blog]

        Playing coy and hard to get, that was certainly a quick turn of personality. The smile continued on the Chosen’s face, a hand raising up to show palm up in a non-nonchalant manner.

                 “ Lucky m e ~ ” Another step towards the brunette and the held up hand is extended towards the oddly dressed lady. “ Then you won’t mind joining me for lunch? ”

It’s always quite the sight when two players try to play each other. And surely anyone looking on would gawk at the size of both egos.

Norma shrugged, pushing herself up on her toes as she cocked her head to the side. “For the time being, I am. Lucky you.”

[thepimpplan-blog]

[thepimpplan-blog]

                “ Maybe we should get closer then? ♥ ” Taking a step towards the blonde, the Chosen slid himself next to her and slid a hand towards the posterior of said blonde. After all, it’s more polite to reach for a grab first before asking for a kiss.

“O h, well than.” She proceeds to ignore the blush on her cheeks. “I don’t kiss strangers, though.

[thepimpplan-blog]

                                      LET’S SHIP IT MEME                                                  made by               popokki | waningxmoon | sacrificialfrailty | dereliquit

RULES;; 1. REBLOG IT, make those notes boom! 2. TAG ANYONE WHOSE “APPLICATION” YOU LIKE AND/OR MATCHES YOURS UNDER “LET’S SHIP IT”. 3. AND/OR TAG ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE MAKE AN APPLICATION UNDER “SHOW YOUR SAIL”. 4. BOLD EVERYTHING THAT APPLIES TO YOU OR YOUR MUSE & EXPLAIN WHERE NEEDED. 5. HAVE FUN.

reasoning for this meme;; this is a meme to help you have access to everyone’s preference in shipping. everyone has their own desires for the subject and sometimes we stumble into a really good one, other times we regret, and at times they are just mediocre. if everyone just posted their very own profile of preferences in shipping, then you might just find your very best ship partner that much easier! just remember to tag a mun (or multiple) who posted an application that resonates with yours and if so far, no one’s application has piqued your interest but you would like to see a particular mun’s stats, just tag them (gently) in the appropriate section below.

LET’S SHIP IT !?! TAGGING:no SHOW YOUR SAIL !! TAGGING:  everyone who wants to! TAGGED BY: @hopefullovingsmile​ notreallybutlet’spretend

THE MUN

Mun Age: 15 or under | 16+ | 18+ | 21+ | 25+ | 28+

i just turned 22 in april. still not used to it. laughs.

How Many Blogs: 1    2    3    4    5+

if you count the inactive blogs i just have lying around. 2 in terms of active tho.

Type of Blog: Main | Secondary | Side

i primarily only have main blogs. i just don’t care for having secondary blogs.

How Many Muses: Solo | Dual | Multi

really not a fan of doing multimuse blogs, but power to everyone else.

Type of Ship: Single | Dual | Poly | Multi for each AU | Multi but Single for each AU

i don’t care if people do this multimuse ship and think that each au is very personal and stuff for each muse, but to me it’s just rude. here’s a char that LOVES your muse and they have to see some other hoe getting all up in them? it’s just mean imo, so i only do single ship. sorry~

Type of Verse: Single | Multi Main | Multi AUs

i do mutiple verses including aus just to see how things would pan out if things were different. either from past or future. i just haven’t really written out my verses yet. woops. but i only have one main verse.

Activity: Sparse | Leisure | Weekly | Daily | Multiple Times A Day

I don’t typically have a lot of time, so i TRY to do queues for each day. but sometimes i just can’t or i don’t have anything to write. so it’s kind of spotty for me. just when i can, but i’ve done pretty good with zelos i think. (so far. laughs)

Writing Length Preference: One-Liner | Para | Multi-Para | Novella | Match

i’m all over the place. it just depends on what i’m capable of doing, regardless of how long my writing is. it takes me a while. especially multi-para, because i’m a slow typer. (not in speed but just getting thoughts across in words)

Thread Flow: Multiple Scenarios At Once | Sequential Story Line

i try to keep things pretty organized. whatever happened in the past, will be remembered in the future. but with several threads going places, sometimes it’s hard to like keep up. but i do try! whatever is done with zelos typically is set in stone and he WILL remember. 

Planning Process: Plot | Pre - Established | Go With The Flow

i’m mostly go with the flow, but i really don’t mind do pre-established things or plotting things out with people. that would be like the best thing ever!!!! love me!!!!

Do You Write The Do: Smut | No Smut

LAUGHS. NO. i am old enough, but i don’t care. i can hardly even write kissing much less going further. i’m find with fading to black if the muse will sleep with someone so, whatever. but if things get shippy on this blog??? i’m like sorry i will freeze for like 40 mins not wanting to type the thing, but maybe eventually i’ll do it. (i’m a weenie i know and i picked zelos OTL)

Genre: Slice Of Life | Fluff | Adventure | Action | Angst | Horror | Dark Themes | Crack

i like everything that isn’t too intense in terms of graphic! o /

Social Level: OOC Post | Askbox | IM | Tag | Skype | Kik | Line | Texting

i’m not good at talking, but like. please talk to me? i don’t use the tumblr im very often, because i forget and because i’m a weenie. if mutuals would like my skype to hit me up and talk stuff. i’m totally cool with that. winkwinkhinthint i’ll just apologize ahead of time that i’m really bad at coming up with conversations. (i’m kratos. so---)

Extra: Unrequited | Love Triangles | Bromance | Crossover | Strictly Canon | Incest | Selfcest

give me the unrequited love, give me love traingles, give me bromance, give me crossover of fandoms. give me everything!!!! and i TRY to stick as closely to canon as i can in terms of how i do my zelos. but i do take some liberty for the unknown. hehehe.

THE MUSE

NOTE (optional): cross out anything your muse prefers in a male, italicize anything your muse is prefers in a female, if fine with either simply bold it. also keep in mind that muses are ever-changing, especially through development and preferences can shift along with it if the mun wills it. if there is a preference not listed, add it in your additional words to keep the meme standard.

Current Status: Single & Not Looking | Single Ready To Mingle | Crushing | Dating | Married

Romantic Orientation: Panromantic | Polyromantic | Heteroromantic | Homoromantic | Biromantic | Demiromantic | Aromantic

Sexual Orientation: Pansexual | Polysexual | Heterosexual | Homosexual | Bisexual | Demisexual | Asexual

Zelos will hit on every lady that exists (as long as they’re not like younger than 16 or whatever). and will unforutnately accidentally hit on guys with long hairs or that are really girly. (yuri) and severely regret it so much he wants to cry.

Gender Preference: Male | Female | Bigender | Trans | Fluid | Agender | No Preference

Aesthetic Values: A-Cup | Addict | Athletic | Artsy | Biker | Cross-dressing | Culinary | Curvy | Dangerous | Drinks | Fantasy | Farmer | Hair | IS IT BIG | Legs | Loner | Muscular | Musician | Nerdy | Piercings | Popular | Power | Short | Slender | Smokes | Sporty | Street-Smart | Supernatural | Stylish | Tall | Tattoos | Teeth | Tech-Savvy | Traveler | Wealthy

Personality Attractions: Adventurous | BAD BOY | BAD GIRL | Bashful | Benevolent | Calm | Comedic | Compassionate | Courageous | Daredevil | Dependable | Dominant | Eccentric | Energetic | Extrovert | Flirtatious | Friendly | Good-Listener | Hard-Worker | Innocent | Intelligent | Introvert | Mature | Mysterious | Playful | Protective | Optimistic | Romantic | Shy | Stoic | Studious | Submissive | Tidy | Unpredictable | Youthful

[thepimpplan-blog]

STATUS UPDATE!

tags have now been added! all that’s left is the about page, verses, and like literally everything else! thanks for being patient hunnies~! ♥

[thepimpplan-blog]

                                ( MEME. | @THEPIMPPLAN. )                                                     ACCEPTING!

Perhaps it was the all-too-serious look on his face, or maybe it was something else— Either way, Lloyd had been well lost in his thoughts; and by the looks of it, Zelos was well aware of that.

Hazel hues immediately snapped back to attention at arms wrapping ‘round him, a small note of surprise sounding from his mouth, nothing more, for what felt like forever.

Eventually, he found the mental capacity, and the will, to speak, his lips parted a bit more, if only for words to spill out in a slight stutter;

“Z-Zelos….?”

        To be honest, he didn’t know what overcame him. The expression on the teen’s face was just too sad, and a part of him felt sick to his stomach to see that. His body moved on it’s own, arms wrapping themselves around the teen. One hand rested on the shoulder blades of the teen and the other resting on the back of his head. It was hard to see the usually strong teen just look so hollow. It wasn’t right and it wasn’t fair. He wasn’t sure what was on the teen’s mind, but he could take a guess at a few of them. One of them starting with a K and ending with asshole.

        The sound of his name soon brought Zelos to reality, his body tightening before his arms relaxed and pulled away from Lloyd. The expression on Zelos’ face was somber, eyebrows resting melancholily over his eyes and lips curved downward. A hand raised and fingers began to comb through red-hair, blue eyes glancing off towards the side as the Chosen attempted to come up with some sort of excuse.

              “ …. ” Mouth parted for a moment before closing back up. For once, he didn’t know what to say. Perhaps he’d let the silence speak for him for once.

[thepimpplan-blog]

       Gloved hands pushed and shoved the red-clad teen with more force, a slight grim expression appearing on the Chosen’s face. A dash of pink slowly dusting themselves on his cheeks. If there was one thing that Zelos Wilder did not do, it was embarrassment. Feeling like a fool was the worst for the Chosen. The absolute worst, and that’s how he felt. How dare Lloyd appear unannounced and almost find his bouquets!

               “ Get. ” PUSH.

                         “ O u t. ” HARSHER SHOVE!

                                  “ Learn to read between the lines, man! ”

He’d hardly been expecting to be ushered out the door, but he supposed it should’ve been expected, since he’d apparently barged in on a very important, private moment;

“Wha—”

He could hardly struggle in leaving, really ( it wasn’t like it was his home ) but, even so, in a way, it only served to make him a tiny bit more concerned; To be kicked out so suddenly and immediately – told a lot,

“Wait– Zelos—!”

[thepimpplan-blog]

       With a sudden wink and flirtatious manner from the girl, Zelos could tell that she was up to something. He didn’t do anything about it though. A careless laugh came from the Chosen, taking a step in Norma’s direction and turning his body slightly.

                “ Is that so? Then you must be free. ”

She may be nutty, but she sure was perceptive. And that stone on his chest looked quite valuable. Norma put on that cutesy air and gave the man a wink.

“Him? Ohhhh, nobody important.”

With any luck, she could play him like a fiddle.

[thepimpplan-blog]

        Another careless laugh escaped Tethe’alla’s Chosen’s lips, hands resting on his hips and shoulders heaving upward and downward from it. Done with his laugh, the red-head grinned and flipped a hand palm up as his lips parted to speak.

                  “ What can I say? I’m pretty great, huh?”

        The smile remained on his face for a moment before a more serious expression crossed his features. Half-lidded blue eyes watched Lloyd with a perceptive eye. Gauging the dark circles under the teens eyes and how he moved.

               “ Lloyd….”

                         “, you don’t trust us. ”

He’d been caught red-handed in that; quite literally, given the shade of his gloves; but that was besides the point. His cheeks didn’t outright flush, but they did dust themselves a small inch of pink, and his gaze shifted diagonally, toward the floor;

Colette was an incredibly bad liar, he knew that – so to be compared was almost offensive. That being said – not many people would’ve caught him out on that lie.

Or, at least – they wouldn’t have mentioned it.

He heaved a sigh, brushing a hand loosely through his hair with stiff fingers and tight knuckles, pursing his lips before parting them again; A bad liar, huh— Top that onto the fact he could hardly sleep, lately, and he wasn’t exactly a role model to anyone.

“Guess nothing gets past you, huh….”