When it comes to creating a character – and, more specifically, creating an interesting character – there are a lot of factors involved. You want to create a character that will mesh well with your RP partner and their own character, but at the same time, you want there to be the right amount of conflict as pertains to the plot that you have discussed with your partner. Finding the right balance to create an engaging story with your cast of characters can prove to be a challenge and the best way to approach character creation and then development is by following a step by step process.

Some of the things to consider right off the bat include:
 

• Your character’s name. Hopefully, you already have an idea of what kind of character that you would like to make for a particular plot. For example, if you are creating a character for a High Fantasy RP, your character’s name probably won’t be something like Samantha or Chris. Fantasy has always had a specific flavor when it comes to their names, and while it may be cute to have a more modern, mundane name for your magic wielding mage, also consider something that gives this character more flare, such as Zelda or Link (haha). Just like if you were creating a character that is allegedly a Russian mafia boss, you might want to look up Russian names to better fit the origin of your character. I tend to go out of my way to also find intriguing surnames (last names) to give my characters as well.
   

• Origins. Adding culture and diversity to a character helps to add depth. The difference between creating an all American sweetheart and a Nubian prince is culture, where they're from, their historical background. Do some background reading when you decide to make a character that is foreign, or even just regionally foreign. If you live somewhere in Wyoming and have never lived anywhere else, chances are you don't know the exact culture of your character that lives in New Orleans. Just like if you're trying to create a handsome Englishman, but you're American yourself, it's also a good idea to research some background before you jump into it
   

• Flaws. This is a big one that I stress. You can't have a perfect character; no one in the real world is perfect. While a lot of what we like to write is fantasy – whether the magic kind or just where your imagination carries you – it's also a good idea to have characteristics that we can all relate to. It also adds depth to the character. While it's possible to make a good story work with someone who sits at home and watches Netflix all day after a 9-5 job, adding conflict to your character helps bring out the story. Give them imperfections, such as a drinking problem or self-esteem issues. My personal favorite is applying mental illnesses to my character structures so that I can delve deep into their psychology. Giving your mighty warrior weaknesses so that he or she isn't just an indestructible badass adds conflict. Remember, even Superman has his weaknesses in the form of Lois Lane and kryptonite.
   

• Purpose. This is where plotting also comes into play. You have a fresh-faced college student who runs into her sexy professor. But what's the purpose here? Are they just going to succumb to one another's desires and move on with life? What is your character's underlying purpose with the professor – or at school, for that matter? Having an idea of where you want to take your character, especially when you can tie it to all of the above, helps improve the quality of the story you are trying to write, too. Whether she is in search of a magical relic or he's trying to escape his psycho ex-girlfriend can help add layers to be pulled back later in the plot.
   

• Profession. We ask this in real life all the time. It's probably one of the very first topics of conversation discussed during a first date. In today's society, your job is essentially what helps to define you. Having a well-evolved profession for your character adds yet another layer to the growing list of what your character is becoming. Are you wanting a bounty hunter, a doctor, a wily mage or something as interesting as a taxidermist? What your character does for a living will help you figure out what their ultimate purpose is in the story and also helps reflect their personality.
   

• Appearance. This might be superficial, but ultimately a large part of your character as well. A lot of your writing will involve describing how your character looks. Hair color, eye color, height, weight, whether or not they have amazing abs or a giant rack all goes into characterization. Some people use visuals to express what their mind's eye sees their character looks like. Some people only detail it out in writing. No matter what, make sure you have a clear visual in your imagination so you can better generate how your character moves, how they're going to stare at another character, whether they have dimples in their cheeks when they smile, or if their jeans cup their ass in just the right way.

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  On that note, I think the second part of creating and developing your character relies heavily on your RP partner as well. You can contrive an amazing creation that you adore that will be a perfect match for someone else (keep track of your characters for reference and even later use!) but may very well fail to jibe with your chosen partner's own creation. If you are creating a character from scratch for a particular RP or plot, make sure your partner and you discuss your likes and dislikes when it comes to the pairing. Listening to one another will help create a character unique to your story.