I recently thought up a character idea, and I realized that she already kind of exists.
What do you do then? [name]Do[/name] you scrap the idea? Or still run with it, even if it’s just for fun? I will not be making any money off of the character.
EDIT: Updated, apparently the already existing character wasn’t that big of a role in the series after all, and is rather different from how I pictured my character. All is well. 
If the character is super similar to an already existing one, I would probably write a fanfiction, maybe an alternate universe or something to give you creativity space.
If you thought up the character for an original story, I would twist some of their features up a little. Like say I created a character that is super similar to [name]Katniss[/name] Everdeen from The Hunger Games. Instead of completely scrapping the character, maybe instead of excelling at archery, she has a talent with a cross bow. Maybe instead of living in District 12 and unknowingly started a rebellion, she is an orphan who lives in a time after a major war/supernatural event destroys the country, and the survivors that are running the makeshift government are corrupt and power-hungry. Switch her braid to a ponytail and side-swept bangs and make her hair and eyes brown. Finally, switch her name from [name]Katniss[/name] Everdeen to [name]Corliss[/name] [name]Hawthorne[/name] (off the top of my head).
I think it’s the little details that really make up a character, and switching a few of them can really transform a character.
It’s actually for a fanfiction. 
[name]Do[/name] you think that creating a character that’s similar, but is different, from an already existing canon character…“wrong”? In the sense that it’ll be viewed as a rip off of the canon character, even though it wasn’t?
I’m just wondering how to go about writing this story and character when she’s already sort of existing. She’s very blank right now, but the few characteristics I definitely want her to have and role I want her to play already has been touched on. I’m not sure how I should navigate that?
So what you’re saying that the original character exists in the story, and your new character is similar to her? Or is that original character isn’t in the story?
Either way, it probably will be viewed as a ‘rip off’ if its too similar. Of course, there is exceptions. A clone, a (future) child of that character, a previously unknown twin or even a future version of that original character could get away with being extremely similar to the original character. Is it the characteristics that you for sure want your character to have make her similar to that original character? Before you get too far into the plot, maybe brainstorm a few more possible ideas to add to the character, then adjust the story accordingly to fit the changes.
What story is your fanfiction based on and what character is your character similar to? Maybe I can help you more fully knowing the source material 
Sure.
It’s a Supernatural story idea. I just started watching the series earlier this week. I’ve finished [name]Season[/name] [name]One[/name] and am about half way through season two. (Although very behind considering there’s 7 complete seasons already)
At around episode 14ish, I realized that [name]Dean[/name] Winchester needed some love in his life, and I thought up an OC character. I wanted her to be considerably younger than him, she’s actually a year younger than [name]Sam[/name], so like 20. Whereas [name]Dean[/name] is 26ish.
Her age is pretty concrete considering that I have a fair bit of dialog and conflict surrounding her age, and the 7 year age difference between them. It’s a big reason why [name]Dean[/name] rejects her even though he feels a strong pull to her. She ends up going on hunts with him and [name]Sam[/name], because she’s useful for getting information, and being considerate of other options and factors.
I don’t want her to be some fearless fighter type girl who’s just oh so badass. Not at all. After [name]Dean[/name] rejects her, I wsa thinking of having [name]Sam[/name] and her get considerably closer, and have that be a catalyst for [name]Dean[/name] to step up. But I really have no idea just yet, she’s a very raw character…she doesn’t even have a name yet!
However, near the end of the season, or the beginning of season two, we’re introduced to [name]Jo[/name] Harvelle, who is very young looking and seeming, and her and [name]Dean[/name] have a tiny tiny thing going on. I did a quick search to see if she’s a long-term character, and she is. But I don’t know how her story goes because I don’t want to spoil the whole show for myself.
She’s blonde, and petitish, which is not what I want my character to look like at all really, so they have different appearances currently.
I don’t know if this helps or not.
I think it depends on what it is about her that’s the same. Hard to answer without knowing the specifics.
If it’s things like physical characteristics it doesn’t matter, run with it.
If it’s personality, I think it depends on how specific–are they both argumentative? (fine, no worries) or are they both argumentative and intelligent and problem solvers and loud and and and (maybe change a few)
If it’s a role, that’s harder to say, it depends on how integral and unique that role is within the story. If there’s only one wizard in the whole story and you introduce another with 10 characteristic that match the existing wizard—that’s weird.
Then…I’d say you didn’t actually think that character up at all, honestly. I used to write fanfiction myself and must admit I’m very, very, very anti-OC, particularly love interest OCs. They invariably turn out to be [name]Mary[/name] Sues, in my experience.
That’s one series I’ve been meaning to try out
Anyway, I’m thinking that the biggest similarity to me is age. [name]Both[/name] characters are younger than the male characters. [name]Do[/name] I think it’s gonna automatically label the character as a rip off of an existing one? No. I do think that maybe you should maybe think about a back story for your character. Is there a secret motive behind her actions? You say that she’s good at getting information…could she be an enemy spy? Maybe she has her own agenda that requires certain classified information? I think this character would be perfect for causing a plot twist of some sort. Since I haven’t seen Supernatural, I’m not quite sure of the actual storyline, but that was just an idea to get you started. I say maybe sit down and write up a few different descriptions and background stories of your character, not thinking about the actual story itself. Then you can think about which one fits the story the best, and adjust the description as needed for a good solid fit.
If you are really stuck about what to do with this character, I say watch season 2, see what happens, and then maybe do a refresher on your story, maybe even change the plot a bit. Or, you can always do an alternate universe, so you have more creative freedom and won’t be tied down by canon.
Considering that I thought her up before I even reached the episodes with the canon version…
They often do, yes. Which is why I like to make them, so I can get better at NOT making [name]Mary[/name] Sues. The more I write, more I can see how to make a character realistic, see what happens when writing that causes a character to be a [name]Mary[/name] [name]Sue[/name]. And it’s just where my interest is. Plus I’m met a few OC love interests that weren’t Mary Sues at all, so I’m inspired.
I personally don’t see anything wrong with making an original character and sticking them in an already existing universe.
Definitely check it out! It’s really good with out being overwhelming. [name]Dean[/name] and [name]Sam[/name] are great as well.
I hadn’t thought of all that…I just figured she was good at it because she’s a girl and more compassionate/considerate than [name]Dean[/name] and [name]Sam[/name], and people would be more likely to open up to her. But those are FAR more interesting ideas to consider.
Yeah, that’s what I’m thinking of doing. I’m on episode 13 right now. I’ve been thinking of using season one, and then going off on a different route.
I definitely will
I’m already interested in this story…keep me updated on its progress.