Use people you know as a starting point for exciting new characters!
Writers sometimes use friends, acquaintances, colleagues, family members, and strangers on the street for character inspiration. However, while they may take a few things from those people (the way they look, the things they like to do, goals they pursue, cute habits and weird quirks), they usually transform those people into very different characters on the page! Very often perfectly lovely people are made into villains, and sometimes the nastiest criminals are transformed into gentle little grandmothers!
That is why you'll seldom hear writers say they based a made-up character on someone from real life. The writer's imagination transforms real people into new characters the world has never seen.
The writer's imagination transforms real people into new characters the world has never seen.
The nice thing about looking to people you know for inspiration is that they bring unique details to the page. Although those details may change later, you're starting to build your character with very specific—and sometimes very unusual—character traits.
For practice, think of a character from real life—someone you like and know very well. Don't tell anyone who it is. Now, get out a sheet of paper and write a paragraph for each of these questions, keeping this person in mind the entire time (if you don't know the answer, you can make assumptions). Don't just list the traits, write as though you're starting a story. And be as detailed and specific as possible!
What do they look like?
What kind of clothes do they like to wear?
What is their favorite food?
What are some of their defining character traits? For example: Are they hilarious joke tellers? Are they very serious? Do they cook gourmet meals? Play soccer?
Describe a "defining moment" you experienced with this person—a moment that really sticks out in your mind.
Think of a time when they were very happy. How did they act when you saw them in a happy mood? What kinds of things did they say? How did they look? What did their voice sound like? Did they do something unusual? Be specific.
Now, think of a time when they were very upset. How did they act the last time you saw them upset (very sad or very angry)? Did they say, or not say, something out of character? What did their face look like? Did their voice change? How did they treat you or others? Be specific.
What do you think is the most important thing to this person? Why does it mean so much to them? What is it, specifically, about that thing that they hold dear?
What does this person want more than anything in life, that they don't have now? Are they pursuing that goal now? What are they doing to get it? Why don't they have it yet? If they're not pursuing it, why not? Why do you think this person wants that thing so badly?
What else do you think is important to know about this person, both inside and out? Be very specific.
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