And I mean, not exactly “overly tragic backstories,” just enough to get the audience to sympathize with an OC, like a bully character.

Because, to be honest, I really don’t wanna do what Hasbro did with Starlight Glimmer’s backstory. (Sorry guys >.<‘)

7154227
Just remember to make them believable. Give them flaws and personality traits.

7154244
Hmm... he has those. (Yes it’s a he.)

7154248
I mean the backstory should just be that-a backstory. It should mold and explain a character’s personality but it shouldn’t define it. People overuse it in stories to get attention I guess, or for edginess. Writing a tragic character shouldn’t be different from writing any other character.

7154227 Try basing it off of a real life issue, and maybe add a little twist to it; for example, in my holiday specials, my OC, Golden Flare, had parents who fought and argued all the time, when he one day finally called them out on it, they dragged him to the courthouse to legally disown him, but wiggled out of their grasp and ran for the train station to Ponyville for a better life, and was soon adopted by Mayor Mare as his new legal guardian.

7154251
I especially hate when they overdo the edginess just to gain sympathy.
7154262
Ooh that’s interesting.

7154264
Yeh don’t do that

7154264 Thanks