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Title: Tips and Sample Bio's


Shonk Da 'Onk - May 10, 2007 09:06 AM (GMT)
Tips and Sample Bio's


So, since we aren't all JK Rowling's who can devise stacks of characters with years of backstories, many find it hard to come up with info and such for their RP characters. Here are some tips and samples to help you create an acceptable and interesting character biography.
  • As many people have a lot of trouble comming up with names, particullary last name for characters, I suggest having a quick look at Behind The Name which is a site with every name you can think of and the meanings behind them. You can search by letter, meaning, origin and even by popularity so you should have no trouble finding something to suit you on their.
  • With your personality it is really up to you how you want your character to be but don't be afraid to make them mean or selfish. No one on the boards will hold it agianst you if you spend all your time in RP's bashing first years and setting the Headmaster on fire, however it is up to you how you want your character to be and just because they start out as someone nice doesn't mean they always have to be. ;)
  • When it comes to your history just let your imagination go. Give your characters parents names and brothers and sisters and feel free to make up little stories of things you had done as a child to go n as well. You can talk about childhood experiences or achievements that a younger person might make. If you can't make up anything just think of your own childhood as I'm sure everyone has done some great and weird stuff as a kid.
  • Your pets can be fun and you can use them in RP's so go ahead and name them and give them their own personalities too. Just be sure to only have one pet that you've brought from home and register it. Any additional pets need to be purchased through the Magical Menagerie shop in Diagon Alley.
Sample:

QUOTE (Bob the Random First Year)

[Name:] Bob Smith
[Age:] 11
[Bloodline:] Half-Blood
[House:] Ravenclaw
[Appearance:] Bob is quite tall for his age and has a very lanky appearance due to this. He has light brown hair and is fair skinned though he is usually sporting a very red look due to spending hours outside getting sunburnt while playing quidditch. Bob also has a small scar under his left eye after playing with his father's wand as a young boy, unfortunately he never learnt his lesson and also aquired a bent nose after blasting himself across his room and landing nose first into a toy box.
[Character Personality:] Bob is very energetic and is always on the move, making him a fairly outgoing person who is always laughing at something no matter how un-funny it is. He is caring and nice to his friend, however he can be a bully to other people he doesn't know and sees as being nerdy.
[History:] Born in England to a Gerald and April Smith, Bob lived a rather happy childhhod. His father was a muggle but his mother was a pureblood witch who had also attended Hogwarts in her youth and the two both worked at the Ministry, though in different departments. As a child Bob was pretty much the same as he is now, though he was perhaps a little more hyperactive and he spent 90% of his time chasing gnomes in his back yard.
[Year:]  1st
[Special Talents/Info:] Bob has a double jointed arm which he loves to show off.
[Favorite Class/Worst Class:] Transfiguration is his favourtie class due to the abundance of furry animals to poke and History of Magic is his worst, not just because it's boring, but as he has the inability to remember dates and facts.
[Owl, Cat, Toad, Rat, Tarantula or Pygmy Puff?] Bob has a pet mouse named Hamster who sleeps all day and night and probably could snuff it at any moment and Bob wouldn't notice until he started smelling.


Feel free to look at some of the other members' character bios which have been approved in order to get another example.

~Twylie_Wylie~ - August 23, 2008 05:26 AM (GMT)
hey just one thing why can some people have first years that are like 19 or something???

dreamdancer7699 - August 23, 2008 12:59 PM (GMT)
Usually because they are older in RL aqnd aren't comfortable posting such a young age. In those cases they have an excuse for why it took them so long to start at Hogwarts. :)

Sardine - August 23, 2008 08:50 PM (GMT)
I think I'm 18 or something here... other than the age, everything about Sardine is me :P

But I think that your year here only really applies when it comes to classes and Quidditch.. and post-count of course, but that's not the point.




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