Source for Creating Characters: Yourself.

Your first, best source for characters is your own personality.

Writing For Comics & Graphic Novels with Peter David, page 46

When creating characters for your stories the greatest challenge is making them "real". Personality traits. Flaws. Character tics. Take your pick. But did you know you can add something really cool to your characters...Yourself.

Well, not all of yourself into them. Just bits and pieces. Your past to your experiences as a high school teacher. We writers invest aspects of ourselves to create identifiable characters in a manner of ways. For instance, Diana Rowland has poured in all her years in law enforcement for her Kara Gillian series, giving it the realism not all crime solving/urban fantasy books have. Comics icon Stan Lee would tell you about the "origin" of Spider-Man from his teenage years when he was, to a degree, a lonely kid desperate for acceptance.

When writing my own stories, I've plucked a few things from my own personality to add to my characters, and some were without even knowing it. I named a character Andre McDyess ("Andre" short for my name; McDyess after former NBA player Antonio McDyess). Plus, I gave him five percent of my sense of humor. My superheroine in a comic book series was crafted from my experiences in a US History course at a community college, and I equipped her with some of my own quirks, like coffee and Pop Tarts for breakfast when on the go. Sorry, no super powered mayhem involved. One of my most flawed aspects I'm not proud of is being a smart ass. That's what I share with another one of my characters because let's face it, we all have that one friend or relative who'll shoot his/her mouth off.

The more honest you are about yourself, the more you can give readers something to identify with in terms of characterization.

How college influenced my Writing.

As a college student, I've learned a lot of things and having fun with the experience. Plus in more ways than one, it has influenced my writing. College is one of themes for one of my comic book series in progress and the subject of history (US, World, European, etc). Those two gave me an idea for a superhero that's reminiscent of Peter Parker, but instead of being a science geek, the main character is a history geek.

While sitting in a US History course back in 2012, I put myself in the shoes of my super heroine/college student/history buff, taking in all things about the American Civil War to World War II. I thought of all the possibilities for a heroine to be mixed up in super hero fantasy as well as facing the highs and lows of higher education which is the theme for her story.

If I wanted to write a superhero fantasy adventure, I have to go beyond the slam-bang fist fights. I have to give my story a deeper meaning.

Another aspect of going to a community college is the interaction with a wide variety of students on an international scale. But I wanted to go outside my comfort zone for my story. Thus I took my sweet time researching all things Seattle for the setting of the comic. I don't know the city in all four directions but I sincerely want to do it justice as I write my character's adventures.

Moreover on college influencing my writing is that I wanted tell a story as I explore the realm of higher learning and give readers a character that they can not only root for, but can identify with as a "real" person who lives a world mirroring the real one. 

    

The Misadventures of a Working Adult/College Student!

The following is a non-writing related blog.

When I started going to Oklahoma City Community College a few years ago, it was to not just earn a degree or to earn a degree so I can get a better paying job, it was to make myself a better and informed person. The idea hit me when I had a professor for American Federal Government lecture about what makes college an important aspect of human growth.

In some regard I felt that I hadn't taken the time grow myself as an individual. That's one of the things in life I regret today. Now for what's happening right now, I'm currently taking a couple of courses in Psychology and Federal Government. They both are turning out interesting for it makes me think about how they affect our everyday lives.

American Federal Government opened my eyes as to how I'm not political, by any means, but there are issues that I feel compassionate about like gun control, immigration, and health care. I know a thing or two about Congress and the House of Representatives but it goes beyond what I knew before.

 Psychology is another matter. It sheds light on what little did I know about human behavior to the foundation of the science of the human mind. Anything in the subject is just interesting and it's not just about "bearing your soul" to a professional as it's typically put. If there's something to take away from psychology is that not only does it help the mentally distressed but explores the workings of mind.

My overall experience in a community college has been a very good one. I got to know other bright, unique individuals who are after the same thing I am. To grow as an individual and contribute to society for generations to come.