[NicknamedBob]

"...one of the people I knew died, so I had no new stuff to 'guide' the character(s) based on them."

You should let the people you know, or think you know, be the cups into which you pour the new character's attributes.

With this method, the death of an acquaintance does not prevent the continuing development of a character based on that person. You shouldn't lift characters from real life, anyway, only characteristics.

My opinion, for what it's worth.

[Darksheare]

It was more of the personality.
*chuckle*
The 'stick-your-tongue-out-at-life-just-because-you-can' attitude was perfect for the character.

But, lesson taken.