Blood type is seen as a common indicator of personality in Japan. You can use this as a way to help decide what you want your character to be like. The blood types and associated personalities are: O - confident, optimistic and strong-willed but also self-centered and unpredictable A - creative, reserved and responsible but also stubborn and tense B - active and passionate but also selfish and irresponsible AB - adaptable and rational but also forgetful and critical The Western Zodiac or the Eastern Zodiac can both also be used to determine personality. You can use this to choose your character's age or birth year and their birth date. If you really want to get an idea for a fully formed personality, you can check out the Myers-Briggs personality test. These personality types, based in the study of psychology, can be helpful in fleshing out your character's personality. You'll also want to be sure to balance your character's personality. A balance of positive and negative traits is necessary to create a compelling, believable character. Count up your character's negative traits and positive traits and try to make the negative traits slightly outnumber the positive ones. By the end of your story, your character will have developed to overcome a few of the negative traits. Example negative traits include: Manipulative Often lies Insults others Uncaring about their impact on others Focused on only their own goals Has poor impulse control Frequently resentful, even of small or accidental slights Is usually reckless or impulsive Many people also believe that someone's name can affect their personality. Studies show that having an uncommon name can lead to bullying and the personality issues that result from being bullied. There are also people who believe a name can determine your whole personality (called Kabalarians). This, whether true or not, can help you decide on a name. Try to avoid using really unusual names in an otherwise realistic setting. This makes your character seem out of place.

Summary: Decide their blood type. Decide their birth date. Use the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. Use a personality balancer. Give them a great name.

People from the South are known for their slow drawl. They have a drawn out way of saying their words, especially their vowels. Part of sounding really Southern is matching the slow pace of southern speech. Another aspect of a Southern accent is mixing together some of your vowels. For example, "pen" and "pin" should sound the same, like a mixture between the two words. It's the same with "tin" and "ten." "Get" comes out "git," and "just" as "jist" or "jis" (almost drop the t). A Southern lilt involves drawing out vowels to the point where, sometimes, they sound like two syllables. For example, "bill" turns into "bee-hill" and "short" becomes "showat." Practice using a lilt on Say your words as though there is no "g" at the end. This is common to most Southern accents. For example, say "fixin'" instead of "fixing" and "fishin'" instead of "fishing." You don't have to do this with words like "thing" or "dog," but words with an "ing" should lose their "g"s. "Fixin'" is also a word commonly used by people with Southern accents, when you're trying to do something. As in, "I'm fixin' to go fishin' this afternoon!" Perfect a few phrases that you know you can say exactly correctly. Maybe they are phrases you learned from the book you read, ones you've copied from a movie you watched, or ones that you learned from a friend or family member from the South. Before you tackle the entire accent, work on these phrases. "Jist-a-minute" and "Jist a second" are common. Remember that many people speak with genuine Southern accents. A person who speaks with a Southern accent does not have the option to switch it off. If you imitate a Southern accent with the intent of poking fun at the speech pattern, you might offend or otherwise disrespect people who speak with Southern accents. Consider also that the Southern accent is sometimes associated with certain stereotypes and subcultures. This is perhaps most notable in a particular stereotype of Southerners as ignorant, uncultured, and poor. Ask yourself whether it is discriminatory to imitate a Southern accent in this context.

Summary: Speak slowly. Mix your vowels. Speak with a lilt. Drop your "g"s. Perfect a few phrases first. Be considerate.

Many online discussion forums and support chat rooms can be an excellent starting point for learning how other families have coped with and adjusted to life with a child with Down syndrome. Take advantage of the chance to ask questions and share your concerns without fear of judgment or awkwardness. Other visitors to these sites are often experiencing (or have already experienced) the same emotions as you and will be glad of your participation. Once you are ready for in-person meetings, local support groups for families raising children with Down syndrome can be invaluable resources. Not only can these groups offer friendship and support, they can also give pointers about physicians, education, activities, planning, babysitters, and other essential aspects of life with a child with Down syndrome.

Summary: Search for online Down syndrome parenting support groups. Seek out local parenting support groups for Down syndrome families.

If you live in the United States, you'll notice blue USPS mailboxes in most cities and suburbs. Open the box near the top, place your letter in the slot, and close it. A postal worker will collect your letter at the time shown on the box and start the sorting-and-delivery process. Every blue collection box has a notice indicating when the mail gets picked up each day. If you place your letter in the box after the scheduled pick-up time, your letter will be picked up the next business day. If you have a mailbox on or near your home, you can place your letter there. Alert your mail carrier of its presence by moving the red flag out of the mailbox. This is usually done by rotating the flag up or by pulling the flag out. The mail carrier knows that if the flag is visible, then there is a letter that needs attention. If you need to buy postage, you can leave your letter with a postal clerk, and s/he will mail it for you. Even if you don't need to buy postage, you can still take your letter to the post office to be mailed. See www.usps.com for information on where to find the closest post office.
Summary: Place the letter in a blue collection box. Place the letter in your own mailbox. Take the letter to any post office.