Fictional characters are like kids: they go to live on a life of their own.

When I make characters I put a tiny bit of myself in them, even if their majority would be completely off kilter. I run them through stories and they just develop within whatever story or scenario they are in at the time. For a basis I often use a single idea or a source of inspiration, and slowly build off of it from there. Using different ideas or concepts that I want to use and sorting them out to make a balanced and believable character. Figuring out flaws is often the most fun part for me, as part of me likes to figure out how to abuse them later on. Personalities can be the hardest, but that's where the scenario runs help the most. They help form the mentality of the character and it helps me figure out what works and what doesn't. Visual design is a rather hard part as looks also play into the character itself.

/end summary