How do you create characters for your stories?

I come up with the story first, then audition suitable character for the role--based mainly on their strengths, weaknesses and desires. The character in the first draft may be completely different than the one on rewrite if the plot is made better with the changes.

Hey

It varies. Sometimes, if I have the plot first then I think of what character suits the plot, type of personality, looks and so on. Some of their traits and looks are based on people I've seen around, but not completely. One of the females is a teeny bit of a Mary Sue, she has some of the qualities I admire, but she does have flaws. She's ambitious, highly opinionated, friendly but get can get easily disappointed and is a bit too optimistic/emotional.

So firstly I think of gender, the role they have the story (very important) and then build on that. The personality is important it fits in with what they do, e.g. the softy is so trusting, he's easy to manipulate

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In most cases, I use actual friends But then I am too afraid to show it to them later because the characters are so close to the real person. If I am writing for my serious novel, I can't bring myself to base it off of anyone else.

I would look at actors in movies, and then create a brainstorm based around that.