[alec]

i generally have an idea floating around my head somewhere, maybe it starts with a certain character flaw/personality trait or even just a name. a big thing for me is putting some of my own traits into my characters, makes it easier to write these situations/struggles well because of your personal experience yk.
some people like writing characters inspired by fictional characters ( two tiny examples: @/sentimentalsquid's stagheart is inspired by arthur morgan, my outsider danny is inspired by my hcs for one hyperspecific ghostface )

kind of besides the point but since one of my characters kind of entered their evil arc ive noticed how refreshing and inspiring it can be to write a character completely different to how you are soooo maybe thats something you could try?

my oc jayfrost started from the name i think? then i had a plan for him, including character development reaching months ahead and then. i changed my mind. people constantly evolve and your opinions and feelings on your character are bound to change, especially if its a fresh character and youre just settling in and then you notice. oh! they feel VERY different to how i planned them to be, and then you have the option to slowly push them in the direction you think fits them better etc etc.

finally, music. music is great. i imagine animations all the time and then never do anything with it but thats besides the point. i think you can use music to flesh out a character. find songs that match them, listen to songs and think about how this represents them and why. or why it doesnt represent them.

this was very out of order but thats all i got. @lark. /