Quick Character References

The Art of Characterization

Greetings, friendly forest friends! As some of you may have noticed or participated in, there has been a trend going about regarding users looking for opinions and critique of their characters. It was brought up to me that maybe an advice blog on characterization might be helpful. I will say that I am not the greatest writer in the world, but I shall try my best to provide a few tips and techniques when it come to creating, defining, and developing your character. New information may be added in the future if people request for additional help or if anyone wishes to add onto my existing list.

Let's begin. My lovely example tonight will be the newest addition to my little family, Cypher, since Shiori's art work deserves to be shown and he has been the character I have dedicated the most time to for development.

"Wait...This was never in my contract."

Get over it! Moving on!

(Image by Sandra - Some artist I found on Google.)

Dark clouds filled the sky hiding the sun behind them. The strongest rays seeped through the blackness shedding light on the earth below. Rain fell from the heavens giving life to the Forest. The tiny droplets splashed into the water of the pond shattering the reflections on its surface. The fish swam happily in a circle around the lily pads nibbling on the insects that had fallen into the water as the heavy air gave weight to their wings.

Reetno sat alone in a clearing. The cool rain fell upon him. A droplet of water ran down his beak and dripped off to the ground almost as if it were a tear. His feathery neck and fur was patted down against his body. The wind blew gently, making the long reeds sway side to side in front of him. As he listened to the water slapping against the grassy shore, he heard light footsteps behind him. He glanced over his shoulder to see Kumiko standing a short distance away.

I question if now is a good time to speak. Perhaps it is too late to mend a broken heart. Perhaps it will destroy another. What is a doe to do when trapped in a corner? There are many things that must be said. Though I am afraid to speak...I've lost so much already thought. What else can losing more do? After all, I'm in a fragile state now; I have not hit rock bottom yet...I guess your feet must hit the ground at the bottom of the abyss before you can begin to climb out. I have no choice but to finally say the things my heart has been hiding.

Rowan...I...I do not know what to say. I swear, I did not know your feelings for him were so strong. When I found out, guilt rushed over me. I felt as if I was the reason your hopes were crushed; your dreams were shattered. I swear...It was never in my intentions to pull you and Reetno apart before you were ever given the chance to tell him how you felt. Now you wander the Forest with your head low, perhaps looking at him and I from the distance. But I must tell you, I was as shocked as you were when I found out his words were not dedicated to you as I original thought. For you see, my ignorance made me blind and deaf from my heart; a part of me told me that it was I he spoke of, but I silenced my heart. After all, what would he want with a doe like me?

It is late in the Summer yet feels like Spring. There is so much talk of love being in the air...I have watched as deer gained and lost mates. I have seen hearts breaking and torn as well come together once again. I only observed from afar, however, for I never came to this place in search of love. I had once had love but it vanished amongst everything else I once knew, but that was sometime ago...I am sure that the fawn I once knew has long grown and forgotten me.

My human knows of it well. She and her human mate have been together for quite sometime. She tells me about 'love', saying it is the most beautiful- and at times painful - thing in the world. She tries to describe to me the deep devotion to each other that she and her mate share, but I do not fully understand. As I gaze at her in confusion, she gentle smiles while giving me a pat on the head saying, "Maybe one day you will."

But why would I? This Forest is full of such elegant and beautiful does who dance in the sunlight. Their fur glistens as the rays all upon them; their eyes sparkle in the light. 'Tis no wonder why I, such a dark, dull doe, remains in the shadows. I am not like them though for it has never bothered me to be forgotten by the stags. I only feel out of place whenever I stand next to a pair...but the loneliness subsided whenever a friend's call said my name.