How to Develop Your Character

Written by: Lt. Commander Justyn Morgan, USS StarWind

It is often very common to hear SIMmers comment on all the great ideas they have for their character. It is also very common to see those same people leave SIMming a short while later due to the fact that they are frustrated with their character, or the fact that they are unable to do anything. But there are steps to take to keep you and your character interested in SIMming.

1. If you have an idea for your character, implement it ASAP. It is your character and no one else is going to write it for you. Even if they did know what you had in mind. Which more often than not, they don't.
2. Talk with other players. Develop friendships, romances, or enemies among your fellow crew. These will help add dimension to your character, and give you elements to work with during your SIMs.
3. Do not be afraid to injure your character. They are not super-heroes, and can be injured. You can even kill them for the sake of the plot. They can always be written back in later via any number of Treky-subspace phenomenon.
4. Focus on your character's weaknesses. Do they have a temper? Are they afraid of something? Do they dislike taking orders, or are they afraid to make their own decisions? Do they get space sick, are they afraid of the transporters? Are they over-confidant, or not confidant enough? These weaknesses, both physical and mental help bring your character alive and allow people to identify with them more. Aliens or no, they are not perfect. At the same time, they do have to have the skills to have made it through the Academy, so don't go overboard in that direction either.
5. If you are finding that you cannot connect with your character, and are always coming up dry when you try to write for them, you may create another character that you can identify with more and request a character switch. It can sometimes be arranged for you to switch your old character for the new one without losing your rank or position.