Hi all. I'm relatively new to these forums and fanfiction and have only ever attempted to write a fic once before. A plot idea for a fanfic struck me recently, though, so I'm wondering what everyone thinks about the use of original characters in Harry Potter fanfics?

My plot idea involves an OC attending Hogwarts about a decade after the epilogue of Deathly Hallows, with Harry Potter as Headmaster. Harry Potter would be a major character, but the focus would be on the OC. Does that seem doable?

 

Alright, thanks. Yeah, sorry, I wasn't very specific about my plot. Just curious about whether the idea of using an OC as the main character was in-and-of-itself taboo.

And yep, didn't see that thread before, thanks.

 

Your "plot idea" sounds a lot like this:



If you want to know how to write an OC without producing a Mary Sue, take a look at this:

Alexandra Quick and the Thorn Circle

 

I know, I'm risking Mary-Sue-ism. I'll take a look at that, and try to make sure my OC ends up as a regular mortal. Thanks!

 

Dear god, I swear my eyes bled reading that picture.

Hmm, an oc would be plausible I suppose, post-DH, but you'd have to work out the situation, as the oc would be about a year or two old when DH happens, so you'd have to decide the blood status of them and how the war actually affected them because of that, e.g.

Muggle-born: Coming into a new world in the post-war scenario.

Half-Blood: Well it depends on what type of Pureblood parent they'd have, and wether any of their family died in the war, but growing up around magic and knowing about stuff because of that affected how they act.

Pureblood: Depends on the family...

Etc.

Also it depends on how you're going to have Harry act, a pure light wizard, a light wizard, with some jadedness, a "I love Ginny Weasley forever and ever and my son is going to be called Albus Severus" Harry... for example.

 

While AQ isn't a bad example of avoiding Mary Sues, also try to avoid making your character an unlikeable bitch.

 

It could work. Odds are it won't, though. The only halfway decent fanfic I can think of with an OC main character is the Alexandra Quick series. Which I hated, but enough people liked to make it into the library.

Having said that, are you new to writing? If so, maybe you should just write what you want to write, and not worry about whether DLP will approve. If you personally find the idea interesting, you're more likely to follow through, and gain valuable writing experience.

 

Alright, good advice, thanks! I think I'll go ahead and outline the first parts of my fic and see if I can make this into a workable idea. The first chapter may end up being posted here within a couple days, and we'll see then if the characterization of my OC, which seems to be the primary concern here, is acceptable.

 

I'm pretty interested to see what you come up with, to be honest. We don't get oc-centric stories... well, ever. Heh. They do have a stigma about them, but I think as long as you avoid the self-insert or mary-sue pitfalls, it could be good.

Be creative, too; one thing it seems oc-stories like to do is take canon events and twist them to be about their pet character, or adopt a canon character's achievements/ accomplishments. Dooon't do this.

Although based on your posts so far, you seem like a reasonable, level-headed individual. Good luck, buddy!

 

On one hand I'm rooting for you. On the other hand I'm not hopeful that this will turn out well. If I'm being honest, I probably wouldn't read an OC centric story (or anything extending from the-epilogue-which-should-not-exist). Which is a bit hypocritical, considering I'm perfectly willing to read stories where Harry is essentially turned into an OC. I'll wish you luck, and hey, in any case you'll get some experience writing.

 

1) Yes, it's doable. But the thing is, we know nothing about the character.

2) Two, the people here are willing to help you, even though most of them dislike OC's. That makes them better than the self rightous little motherfuckers at mugglenet right there.

3) Do an OC check. What is an OC check? let me show you (and it's one, like yours that probably won't pass muster at DLP but might find an audience elsewhere).

Megan Davies

Relatives: Older Brother, Roger Davies, Father Jake, Mum Cho, Uncle Roger Davies (A muggleborn), who has spent the last 20+ years in a ward at St Mungos for dementor victims in a bed next to Penelope Clearwater. Flavia Flint, future sister in law.

First Magic: Apparating into said ward for dementor victims after overhearing her parents talking when she shouldn't have and getting curious.

Age: 15-16

House: Ravenclaw, almost sorted into Gryffindor

Major Problem: The squib that she and her Dad helped hide from abusive relatives is now a corpse in the Ravenclaw common room. Aurors want to know more.

Friends: Rose Weasley, Parvarti Goldstien, assorted Ravenclaws. Eventually Albus Potter, who she will date seriously.

Talents, quirks and weaknesses: Wears thick glasses and is effectively blind without them. Loves and misses the muggle rock her father introduced to her to and is developing her musical talent. Likes the Ghosts around her home. Welsh/Chinese extraction and favors the Welsh side, having called Anglesey home her first eleven years. Tends to make awkward friendships and foster awkward friendships for the people around her because she's ignorant about the intimate details of her parents generation.
Has a 'complicated' relationship with her Mum and favors her Dad.

 

Why? Supposedly the Ministry became less corrupt post-DH, so she should have no reason to hide a squib...

The Dementor attack thing is... interesting... but it reminds me a little too much of Neville. You say she can't understand the past war, but having someone in the closed ward should help her, as Neville seemed to understand the war a lot better than the other kids in Harry's generation.

 

As someone who had an awesome idea for a fic and great plans for it, I advise you to watch carefully what you do with that OC. My protagonist, a heavily OC Harry Potter, was such an asshole that some readers were rooting for his enemies (this included Nazis) and longing to see my protagonist's head on a pike. I found that no matter what epic events you're describing, failing to properly create a relatable hero is the easiest way to ruin a story.

If your character is fine and the plot is fine, the rest will fall into place, provided your writing is up to par. Let us know when you come up with a rough draft.

Good luck.

 

Clarification: The hiding was for a few days while the legalisms were taken care of as an emergency measure.

She understands the war but she doesn't know the fine details of the history (her mum is missing a leg from the Battle of Hogwarts). For example, she doesn't know why her Mum and Hermione are very polite to each other, though it's obviously strained. She certainly hasn't connected it to that 'sneak' scar her Mum's old friend has.

She has knack for setting up situations like this hypothetical.

She'd visit Smeltings, get along famously with the gym teacher and his wife. Then she'd then set Hugo Weasley up on a date with his daughter. They'd bond for life. Things would then get weird when the father of the girl and Hugo's uncle met for the first time in 20+ years.

And this is the kind of thing an OC check is good for; making sure your character makes sense.

 

That single line made me want to read about this character. It's a good enough plot hook that I'd at least read the first chapter, which is saying something considering how I very rarely find OC's interesting.

 

Wait there.

I overlooked the last bit about the Aurors.

Wouldn't it be easier to work Harry into your fic if you had him as Head Auror at the time of the story?

 

But then how would Harry and the OC interact during Hogwarts?

 

Through an Auror investigation. This might not be the first murder in the school.

But I think this would be better if it were an older Harry for headmaster. I doubt he'd make a good one until at least McGonagall was done teaching, for example.