I've been lurking in the forums and reading threads about pairings that people like/dislike and one thing that has come up often is that a lot of people really don't like OCxcanon character pairings.

Now, I've read my share of horrible Mary-Sue/Gary-Stu fanfiction, so I know the horror that comes with poorly-written fanfiction (My Immortal, anyone?) that makes you want to dip your eyeballs in acid. That being said, I've also read a fair number of well-written stories where the OC had a balanced character, a solid backstory, integrated into the world well and was paired with what was essentially a blank canon character anyway.

What are your thoughts on OCs? Why do you like/dislike them?

If the OC is written in a good way, then yes. I prefer to read OCs that are more like supporting characters - I read fanfiction because I want to read about the lives of my favourite characters, not my favourite character and an original character. For example, a good OC could be a Professor in a Harry Potter fanfiction, who used to teach at the school and has an integral part to play in the plot. Or it could be someone who is part of a group that hasn't been talked about much like the Amazons in Percy Jackson. If I forget that that character is an OC, you've done a good job!

A lot of times OCs are used as personal inserts and I really dislike it. Or, their flaws will not be balanced with their good personality traits. I have read some... interesting OC fanfiction in the past. If you use your OCs wisely then I think it can be a smart way to add flavour to parts of canon that may not be as decorated as your story requires.

I'm okay with people inserting OCS into a fanfiction, even pairing wise. If I don't want to see a OC, I'll avoid the story. Let people do their own thing. Sometimes OCs are really good, and can make for a wonderful story.

My opinion is that OCs are incredibly fun to make - I have a whole host of Transformers and Homestuck OCs, even though they haven't been in any of my fanfic (yet). They don't have to pass some sort of arbitrary standard of "good" to be worthwhile and enjoyable, because people who really don't like OCs can always find some point of critique, and anyways, if you never make bad stuff, you will never be able to refine them into good characters and ideas.

I have read some spectacularly awful OC fic and some really, really good OC fic. It really depends on the writer.

I personally Adore OC's. and I normally see no problem with OC and Cannon pairing as long as it makes sense. I mean I understand why some people dont like it. all people are welcome to have their word on the matter. But personally I have no problem with it if it makes sense. People are welcome to have their own ideas/fun in fan fictions.

In the circle of RP I'm in, I'm one of the few who even entertains the thought of OCs let alone canon/OC pairings. I find those who don't like OCs to be rather stuffy and elitist.

We're all geeks writing something we enjoy, why can't we make our own characters for it? Is there some law written someplace stating such.

Exactly! e are all geeks and Ive know LOTS of people that have put so much thought into their Ocs and the pairings and everything, and then get told that its horrible because of a pairing they like or something that happens to be OC and Cannon. even when the character is so well thought out and good, but sometimes all people see is "well OC cannon that makes it automatically horrible" and I really hate that.

The canon/OC hate, when it's a really well written OC, makes me rage so hard. I can't stand it.

I found myself nodding to everything you posted! I've come across really good OC/CC fics but somehow some haters just always manage to slip in a critique that makes me rage so hard. Especially in beginning chapters, and haters just go 'Oh, the OC barely has any character-depth' without even giving time for the OC to be developed. And sometimes the hatred extends so far that they're willing to overlook a beautifully written plot and it's just sad :c

I mean I make a lot of OCs myself..normally they are for other things. But Ibe had cannon character interact with my OC with no problems, and then someone freaking out about an OC Cannon thing and its like "they...are talking". Or in some cases Ive had people completely refuse to RP or anything with an OC if they have a cannon character, or they are super selective about them and make you worry about whether your OC is good enough or not. So its kinda in both fanfiction and Roleplays that sometimes Ocs are thought bad about if they are interacting with cannons at all.

I RP Assassin's Creed a lot on Tumblr (obviously, lmao) and a lot of times, I'm the one playing the canon - because I enjoy it - and most other people are playing OCs. You can't help but have the OCs in the Creed RP circles.

People throw fits about my interacting with OCs. They just look over the bio, see "OC" and start freaking. It's like... chill out, it's my time, not yours. x.x;

I RP OFF on tumblr a lot, and I have an OFF OC ( my human avatar is kinda based off her a bit XD). Ive been lucky and have met a lot of cannon RPers there that love OCS, but Ive also met a few that are very particular about things ..and even some other OCs that have something against some OCs and im like "Hey Ocs shouldn't turn against OCs

OCs, in my opinion and when they're well written, are precious and should be protected at all cost. -v-

Yaay OC Love. I adore OCs. XD not only because I make them myself, but I just adore seeing peoples ideas!

Again, as long as they're well written. Personally, anyways.

I generally don't read fic with OC/canon pairings, but it's cool if you write in OCs or give personality to canon background characters who are otherwise blank slates.

And even if I don't care to read it, people can write all the OCs into canon they want. I'm not the Canon Police.

Yes of corse. Though for me I still like seeing peoples ideas/designs >V<

Its fine if you dont read it^^. I mean people can read what they like >v<. I just dont like it when people like...really bash on OCs in things. I mean its all writing, people can write what they like ^^ its their own writing freedom

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