Editing Newsletter/Fall 2007 (section)

==Creating and Convincingly Playing a Non-Humanoid Character==
by [[herbalsheila]]

If you would like to play a non-humanoid character, there is a process which I use, once I stopped to think about it. It is also applicable to playing humanoid characters as well and if you apply these techniques you may find that your writing and posting will improve. It does take practice, and it is an acquired set of skills. Much of this involves asking yourself a long series of questions in steps. [[Image:Maraht2.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Lt. (jg) [[Maraht the Horta]], ASCO [[USS Hades]]]]

However, I should warn that if you are having difficulties in writing and playing humanoid characters convincingly, then playing a non-humanoid character may not be for you. Check with your Captain on this and maybe even a few honest friends to get some feedback. Creating and playing non-humanoid characters is not for everyone.
[[Image:Dralar2.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Lieutenant (jg) [[Dralar]], Flight OPS, [[USS Rosenante]], Image by Larry Dixon, restored by Ruby Greene]]
If I am going to play a non-humanoid character, the first thing I do is to work up a picture of that being in my mind. I get descriptive and fill out a bio with a lot of details, both on appearance and background. This is usually where I decide on how many appendages this being will have and where they are placed, and basically how their body is structured.

How will this being express itself and communicate? What appendages will it move to convey respect, caring or rage? What and how will it eat? How will it receive sensory information? Will its physical structure be radically different from humans or will it have some similarities? How will it wear any identifying marks or rank? How will others be able to recognize it from its fellow species members? 

It is helpful to work up a backstory about where that character comes from, their life prior to the present, and bits and pieces about their culture, philosophy and goals in life. Though you may or may not include lots of details about it in their specific bio and much of that may be better for a species write up, it is important for you the player to have those things in mind. You probably should write them down, so that as you play that character, you can slip in hints and tiny little bits and pieces of the character’s backstory whenever you can, to make the present story you are telling richer. You might pretend to be that character in your mind, while keeping cognizant of all of the backstory as you do so.[[Image:Serixes_SSarumon.jpg|175px|thumb|right|Ensign (sg) Serixes Ssarumon, ACSO [[USS Champlain]]]]

How are you, the player, going to play that character? Are they going to often be humorous, martial, angry, wise, logical or pragmatic? Will they have emotions much at all, or a deep appreciation of beauty? Will they be sensitive or battle hardened? Will they be somewhat narcissistic or will they be concerned for others? Please keep in mind that their background and their cultural norms, practices and philosophy will heavily influence them as well as their life experiences. This is called the mindset or being inside the character. It is the most difficult part of this process and it does require that you have a vivid imagination, a strong grasp of language and good writing ability. 

When I write my character’s posts, I have to access a certain part of my brain. There is a particular feeling I get in my head when I do that, and it is not necessarily something that I can explain. I only know that when I am there, with that feeling, and inside my character’s mindset, that my writing comes out as the character and not as me the player. 

Occasionally I get surprised. Sometimes it’s as if my characters have taken on a life of their own and they decide what to write and not me. I may have specific ideas in mind for what I want them to do, but when I sit down and attempt to write, it turns out they have their own agenda. But that is when I know things are going well and eventually they will come round to doing what I had in mind.

Sound a little schizophrenic? It probably does sound pretty demented, but I am told from some very talented wordsmiths that this is a good thing and it indicates I am on the right track.

Let me know if any of you need help in this area. Feel free to contact me. Most of you know how to find me.