This sounds weird, but usually I find a name first. It has to be the RIGHT name, the name that fits who I want to be. I usually keep a running list of names I hear and when I want to make a charrie I sort of go through the list. I find a name I like, then expiriment with it: what if I switched some letters? What if I combined two names? Sometimes when none of the names work, I'll just take a break and the name will drop into my mind. I immediatly know when I've found the right name because the other aspects of that charrie just start popping into place. Personality, appearence, wishes, desires, everything.

After I figure out the name, it's like the charrie is real to me. I can write with their voice for the rp because I know the charrie so well. They become a part of me. They make desisions I would never make if I were in their place. They react differently than me, yet I don't even have to considure what they would do in a situation. I know them perfectly. 

Drawing them also helps me connect to the character because I can picture them in my mind and hear their voice.

I don't do RPs that often because I don't know... I'm not very good at them. I want to have control over the story, I never have time, and my charries always suck. When I'm writing stories on my own, my characters are much, much better, more developed and realistic appearences. Most of my charries in RPs tend to either be smart and hot-tempered, or smart and shy. 

Oops, kind of rambling there. If you're looking for charrie sheet advice, I don't have many pointers, but about characters in general, just... have fun with it. Characters are real people within the world you've created, so make them imperfect. A charrie that always knows what to do in any situation is no fun.  

Well, depending on the RP, I typically do my name after filling out a few other things. I usually put a lot of time into researching names. For some RPs I'll want one type of name, and for others I might lke a different category of names. Typically, my appearance and personality are more or less the same for everything, maybe changing the coluring of my hair, or small aspects. I also like to keep in mind that the charrie sheet that I write isn't set in stone. If ypu decide you want the personality to change, it can change. I've recently discovered that I LOVE looking up certain words in other languages, sometimes combining words to make really unique, mysterious sounding names.

I usually do the name the last, unless one pops right out at me. For instance, just a second ago I joined an RP on another website and the first name that struck me was "November Dee."

Recently, I found out a good way to make charries is to base them off of real people. Most of the work is already done for you! I suggest stretching their perosnalites somewhat.

The RP I'm in has a similar premise to the TV show Once Upon a Time. I immediately thought of a different kind of charrie. A crazy one. Specifically, the daighter of the Queen of Hearts (half of her will probably be based off of BHR so yeah) from Wonderland. 

I don't really know how to explain it. I guess the right charrie just jumps out at you. Try to be original, but not exactly totally Mary Sue.  

Like I said, real life is just as inspiring as a book.  

For my stories I spend wayyy too long thinking up names for my characters. I found a name website which is really helpful. For main charries I just sort of think of a random name that isn't even a favorite, then after I use it for a while I get used to it. But with side characters and last names, I change them so much that I get really confused!

For personalities... well... I don't know where they all come from. I have certain basic types of people in my head, like, a shy nerdy girl or a lazy but musically talented boy or a show-off or noble royalty or a wise godess... the list goes on indefinitely! At first they aren't really developed, but after I write with them a little I get to know them and they become more well-rounded.

Occasionally I try taking personality quizzes with my characters, but only when they're really developed.

Appearences are hardest for me, probably. Depending on what type of character it is, I'll think of something normal but not too normal (hard) or unusual but really cool, and not overused (really hard).

For personality/appearance: l base my characters off of real people (and fictional ones as well.) Yes, it is as creepy as it sounds. If you've meet me, you're likely already in a novel of mine. Then l'll base characters off of my own characters, only they're silghtly different. l've used the same verison of a a character that l realy like in.....seven stories? Something like that.

For names: The Internet! Baby name websites are the most useful to me, there are just huge lists of every sort of name out there.

You mentioned that your characters are too normal....well then. l have some suggestions. Give them quirks! They don't have to be major or life-changing. Take here your goody-two-shoes character named, say, Jane. She's completely boring. Except she has an obession with dead spiders. Or always sings Beetles under her breath. Or talks to cats. And so and and so forth. You get the idea. 

First I figure out what personality I want the charrie to have. Then I pick a name, age and- here, just look at this:

*scrambles around searching for something*

Never mind. I lost it. All my charrie sheets for my books. Look up "Gail Carson Levine character questionnare*, or it'll also be in her book, "Writing magic".

The best name website I know of is: Behind the name. It's really cool! You should check it out. Although I make up almost all of my names myself, I know that it's hard for some people. 

I usually just find a name (sometimes I go to nameberry.com) and then everything else is random. That's for RPs. For stories, I'll think a little harder. I know, I really am bad at charrie development.

Cappa says tekh, like tech. 

Does anyone just like to make charries? Not really for an RP or anyting, but just for fun? 

Hey, do you guys use charrie sheets to plan your characters (for books)? If so, what sheets?