people that are real but also not

yes, I'm *really* making birth charts for fictional characters.

I think a good rule of thumb, as a fiction writer, is to write characters that you want to be friends with in real life. Characters that you could call in the middle of the night, ones that would answer, sleep-bleary but wise. Characters that you get. Characters that understand you too, regardless of the hour or the light.

Another strategy. Write characters that you have intense, personal beef with. A character that you would begrudgingly interact with in real life, but would cause an intense, visceral reaction when encountered. Someone you can respect against all odds, even if they drive you a little crazy.

Even better is a character that combines the two.