How to create a background character?

[RyujiSakamata]

A background character might be someone we, including I, didn't notice making. Whenever I search online, the one that only appears were how to create character backgrounds/backstory, and there's no other helpful information since everything that shows up were the opposite (or some) in making detailed characters.

Now the question was: How to create background characters?

Should I erase the character goals? motivations? backstories? quirks?
Should I name him something random?
Are there any rules in creating background characters?
Or are there pitfalls to avoid when creating one?

Reason for Asking:
I'll soon include a protagonist meant to be a background character where his goals will be influenced after meeting the MC. I might accidentally include a plot hole about his character (his dialogue tones, his actions, his emotions) if I failed to consult anyone about this. Just think of this as a part of my research.

Whole Context:
Protag is really the background char in the orig novel. MC just entered the book and messed things up. Then MC is supposed to make the background char the real protag of the story. Their development should be romantic.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

How relevant are they to the story? Background characters can move plot points forward. Imagine a modern story, and the main character is going through a rough time. He/she talks to a bank teller, and they only give one sentence of advice that completely changes the MCs outlook. Or gives them a ureka moment.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

Make a main character that influences the real main character and then make it so they have very little to do with the actual story and have very little screentime.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

@Story_Marc Yet another idea\request.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

@Story_Marc Yet another idea\request.

 

[RyujiSakamata]

Make a main character that influences the real main character and then make it so they have very little to do with the actual story and have very little screentime.

I'm trying to do it now, but won't they have the risk of being forgotten?

 

[Tempokai]

Essentially this:

Spoiler

Ah, RyujiSakamata, the brave new member, embarking on the treacherous journey of crafting the ever-elusive background character. A character so insignificant, they make a pebble look like a philosopher. But fear not, for I, the all-knowing narrator, shall guide you through this perilous endeavor.

First, let's address your existential crisis about erasing character goals, motivations, backstories, and quirks. Well, congratulations! You've just described the creation process of a background character. They are the literary equivalent of extras in a movie – they exist to fill space and time. So yes, erase away, my friend, for in the background, nobody cares about their complex inner workings.

As for names, you could name them "John Smith" or "Jane Doe," or simply use a random name generator. Heck, you could name them "Background McBackgroundface" if it tickles your fancy. Just remember, no one will write fanfiction about them.

Now, on to the rules of background character creation. Rule number one: there are no rules. Rule number two: seriously, there are still no rules. The only pitfall to avoid is accidentally giving them a tragic backstory, only for them to spend their existence sipping coffee in the background. It's like equipping a level one character with endgame gear – unnecessary and confusing.

And finally, your reason for asking is noble, RyujiSakamata. But rest assured, the chances of creating a plot hole with your background character are about as likely as finding a unicorn at a bus stop. So go forth, craft your nameless, faceless, utterly forgettable background character, and let them bask in the glory of obscurity!

(ChatGPT)

 

[Iamnotabot]

I'm trying to do it now, but won't they have the risk of being forgotten?

yeah duh, they're not the main charracter now are they?

 

[RyujiSakamata]

yeah duh, they're not the main charracter now are they?

They'll soon be.

I'll soon include a protagonist meant to be a background character where his goals will be influenced after meeting the MC.

 

[Succubiome]

I'm a bit confused-- are they meant to be a background character in "original story narrative sense"?

 

[TheMonotonePuppet]

I'm trying to do it now, but won't they have the risk of being forgotten?

My approach to background/side characters to flesh out their appearance and response to everything. They have their own little way of speaking, their own little relationship with the MC that is unique and real, and they have emotions they are predisposed to.
Or they are just a corpse that I describe in gruesome detail to make impactful, tying the relationship to each wound. *shrugs* Either one.

 

[RyujiSakamata]

I'm a bit confused-- are they meant to be a background character in "original story narrative sense"?

ye, and then when mc entered the story, the background char should slowly have progression to discover his goal, or that what I thought the story would be.

 

[Succubiome]

ye, and then when mc entered the story, the background char should slowly have progression to discover his goal, or that what I thought the story would be.

I wouldn't even give him a name, then, if that's supposed to be his schtick.

I'd make it so he's nothing more than a plot device, and nothing of him exists beyond what is needed to carry that out. Like, I'd make it so he doesn't have a home, family, friends, goals, anything at all (unless needed to carry out plot device as BG character), and wasn't even aware of the shallowness of his existence until the MC came along.

Yes I do find existential angst interesting, why do you ask?

 

[Daitengu]

I've seen authors and gms/dms make characters.

Generally, if they move plot and are around for more than one scene, they get a character profile.

Likes/dislikes, age, birthday, goals, stats, motivations, skills, etc.

Some people use an MMO format, a D&D format, criminal rap sheet, whatever.

Is it work that most likely won't see the light of day? Yes, but it'll help you characterize and use as a guide that's better than a paint by numbers generic stereotype.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Carefully

 

[LilRora]

My advice is, don't overthink. If it's a background character (I assume this means they have no real impact on the plot) then they don't need much depth, and you certainly don't need to overthink and rack your brain for their motivations and character you don't even need to know.

I personally usually try to answer four things whenever I'm writing a less relevant character: their general character (no details, something like short-tempered and sharp is suffcient), what they are doing both at the moment during narration and around that time in general, as well as what their attitude to the mc is. Once you have those things, you can write virtually any interaction; granted it won't have much depth, but that's not what we're looking for in a background character. If the character happens to develop in the future, you can come up with more details then.

An example of it would be a baker. He's inherently distrusting of people because of his past, and he's recently having difficulties in his bakery because of one of the workers quitting, so he's a little agitated and impatient. The mc walks into the bakery to buy some bread as he's having a moment of rest, and the baker doesn't like his overly confident attitude.

With that knowledge, I can tell immediately his attitude will be cold, he'll speak short sentences, and there will be no small talk. The mc may or may not want to do something about that fact, but he can just shrug it off.

 

[Representing_Tromba]

I'm trying to do it now, but won't they have the risk of being forgotten?

Yes, that is why you incorporate them into the plot in a manner that doesn't make them the main character but make them a focus for a small amount of time. After that you just keep them along and have them do stuff but rarely super important stuff. If they stay relevant then they'll be a side character but not a main character. Maybe make them important to the plot later on as well. For example, one of my side characters is the owner of a brothel and she makes appearances every now and then when the MC gang needs information. She isn't a constant character but she makes appearances for the sake of the plot when she is needed. Another example would be Suki from avatar. She was a one off character who had enough personality to make her a fan favorite. Plus, she had her own arc of dealing with Sokka's sexism and making him drink that respect women juice like it was water. As a result, she got more time in the show due to popular demand in a rare case of side character becoming a main character. If they are well written then they won't be forgotten as a side character so just write it so that all your characters are technically main characters of their own story but you, as the author, chose to view it through the lense of the main character you wanted. One punch man is a perfect example of making all the characters have amazing personality, even the one off side characters.

 

[Rhaps]

Is it work that most likely won't see the light of day? Yes, but it'll help you characterize and use as a guide that's better than a paint by numbers generic stereotype.

I encountered this problem MULTIPLE TIMES when planning the next session, to the point that if I want the players to interact with them, I had to make a DMPC. My current campaign are all new players, I feel like I am looking at four Zoro!!

Anyway, enough of my DM plight.

Generally, I usually give background characters the description of their occupation. Scientist wears lab coats, task force wears body armor, etc.

I do get into regional variants, whats different about them in this place compared to the last location. Clothing styles and stuff like that.

I have a saying:
One sentence or two for background folks.
Three to five sentences for interactable people.
Dance with the pen and keyboard for important characters.