I have an LJ superpower and that superpower is the ability to be completely oblivious to about 85% of whatever given drama happens to be occurring. It's a nice power, good power, but when I finally take notice of something I'm always "wah?". heh.
Anyhoo, that's neither here nor there, really. This post has only one purpose and that's to direct you to
wickedwords's excellent
3 point approach to Characterization. Apparently the ever-present grumblings about "proper" or "correct" characterizations have been cropping up in various fandoms (I'm hearing it in Atlantis and in Pirates).
Maybe if I beg Rache will treat us to her Bruiser/Bleeder theory. *g*