Alphabet Soup
Sometimes coming up with a new character is easy. There are so many real life anomalies out there, you can usually pick and choose quirks to come up with an interesting persona. But for the times you're stuck, have I got some letters for you!
The Myers Briggs test is a classic personality quiz. I'm not saying you need to take it (though it could be insightful and there's a free sample of it here), but simply looking at the possible outcomes provides a wealth of attributes you can use for your next character. Want some examples?
ISTJ
Characteristics: Quiet, cautious, meticulous, responsible, strong and silent type
Good occupations: Administrators, inspectors, researchers
ESTJ
Characteristics: Friendly, realistic, analytical, organized, very driven and enthusiastic
Good occupations: Executives, analysts, managers
ISFJ
Characteristics: Cautious, hard-working, thoughtful, careful, very dedicated to causes and relationships
Good occupations: Health care technicians, accountants, customer service representatives
ESFJ
Characteristics: Talkative, practical, empathetic, decisive, very harmonious
Good occupations: Counselors, coaches, nurses
ISTP
Characteristics: Independent, practical, realistic, adaptable, very skillful with tools
Good occupations: Programmers, operators, pilots
ESTP
Characteristics: Gregarious, practical, observant, adaptable, very unpredictable
Good occupations: Stockbrokers, entrepreneurs, private investigators
ESFP
Characteristics: Approachable, decisive, concerned, adaptable, very generous
Good occupations: Teachers, scientists, public relations specialists
ISFP
Characteristics: Modest, easy-going, caring, flexible, very artistic
Good occupations: Customer service representatives, nurses, counselors
ENTJ
Characteristics: Energetic, creative, strategic, decisive, very commandeering
Good occupations: Lawyers, marketing consultants, teachers
INTJ
Characteristics: Autonomous, imaginative, logical, organized, very independent
Good occupations: Engineers, planners, publishers
ENTP
Characteristics: Energetic, expressive, decisive, easy-going, inventive
Good occupations: Talk show hosts, motivational speakers, marketing consultants
INTP
Characteristics: Reserved, creative, intellectual, adaptable, very logical
Good occupations: Mediators, musicians, strategic planners
ENFJ
Characteristics: Outgoing, creative, empathetic, decisive, very persuasive
Good occupations: Therapists, educators, writers
INFJ
Characteristics: Reserved, creative, decisive, organized, very empathetic
Good occupations: Architects, journalists, counselors
ENFP
Characteristics: Friendly, imaginative, empathetic, flexible, very optimistic
Good occupations: Acting, graphic design, psychology
INFP
Characteristics: Private, creative, empathetic, flexible, very non-directive
Good occupations: Human resource associates, fashion designers, researchers
The Myers Briggs test is a classic personality quiz. I'm not saying you need to take it (though it could be insightful and there's a free sample of it here), but simply looking at the possible outcomes provides a wealth of attributes you can use for your next character. Want some examples?
ISTJ
Characteristics: Quiet, cautious, meticulous, responsible, strong and silent type
Good occupations: Administrators, inspectors, researchers
ESTJ
Characteristics: Friendly, realistic, analytical, organized, very driven and enthusiastic
Good occupations: Executives, analysts, managers
ISFJ
Characteristics: Cautious, hard-working, thoughtful, careful, very dedicated to causes and relationships
Good occupations: Health care technicians, accountants, customer service representatives
ESFJ
Characteristics: Talkative, practical, empathetic, decisive, very harmonious
Good occupations: Counselors, coaches, nurses
ISTP
Characteristics: Independent, practical, realistic, adaptable, very skillful with tools
Good occupations: Programmers, operators, pilots
ESTP
Characteristics: Gregarious, practical, observant, adaptable, very unpredictable
Good occupations: Stockbrokers, entrepreneurs, private investigators
ESFP
Characteristics: Approachable, decisive, concerned, adaptable, very generous
Good occupations: Teachers, scientists, public relations specialists
ISFP
Characteristics: Modest, easy-going, caring, flexible, very artistic
Good occupations: Customer service representatives, nurses, counselors
ENTJ
Characteristics: Energetic, creative, strategic, decisive, very commandeering
Good occupations: Lawyers, marketing consultants, teachers
INTJ
Characteristics: Autonomous, imaginative, logical, organized, very independent
Good occupations: Engineers, planners, publishers
ENTP
Characteristics: Energetic, expressive, decisive, easy-going, inventive
Good occupations: Talk show hosts, motivational speakers, marketing consultants
INTP
Characteristics: Reserved, creative, intellectual, adaptable, very logical
Good occupations: Mediators, musicians, strategic planners
ENFJ
Characteristics: Outgoing, creative, empathetic, decisive, very persuasive
Good occupations: Therapists, educators, writers
INFJ
Characteristics: Reserved, creative, decisive, organized, very empathetic
Good occupations: Architects, journalists, counselors
ENFP
Characteristics: Friendly, imaginative, empathetic, flexible, very optimistic
Good occupations: Acting, graphic design, psychology
INFP
Characteristics: Private, creative, empathetic, flexible, very non-directive
Good occupations: Human resource associates, fashion designers, researchers
Peruse the list, pick one that interests you, then google those letters. You'll find more in-depth personality info that ought to kickstart you into creating a memorable character.