Give your characters things that they want. Having established goals is a great way to drive the story and create storylines when you're running low on ideas. You don't want characters that seem perfect. This strikes readers as being unrealistic and boring. If you want people to really sympathize with your characters and root for them, give them flaws. They can be greedy, too talkative, rude, selfish, or not exactly smarter than your average bear. Give your characters backgrounds, interests, hobbies, and other things that show that they have actual lives. This makes them seem more real and relatable. Fight the cliches! Don't make your characters "normal" by comic standards. Give them individual and unique characteristics, and think of new and different ideas for your comic. Remember, your characters don't have to fall in love. Don't make a character for the sole purpose of being a love interest; make them realistic, and if a love story seems appropriate between two characters, let it develop in a realistic manner. Cliches aren't how people are, they are how people think they are supposed to be. You can help change this by making your characters behave like people do in the real world.
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One-sentence summary -- Give them hopes and dreams. Give them flaws. Flesh out their lives. Fight cliches.

Q: Flood insurance can save you a lot of hassle if your home or business is damaged. Check with your insurance company for policy details. If you are in a high-risk area for floods, you should be insured. People in other areas may choose flood insurance to protect against water damage. Sealing your basement makes it more resistant to water. Fill in cracks and spread sealant over the walls. Keep the gutters on your house clean, too. Levees and floodwalls may also be built to help hold back floodwater. Install a sump pump. When the pump senses water on the floor, it pumps it out of your home. Make sure the pump drains properly and maintain its battery-powered backup with fresh batteries. Raise up your furnace, water heater, and electric panels. They should be installed on top of blocks or set higher in the wall than normal. This will better prevent them from getting wet. Before a flood occurs, store all valuables, such as expensive rugs, appliances, and important documents, on a higher floor in your home. Disconnect your utilities when there's potential for a flood. Shut off the main valves and breakers. Unplug all electrical appliances unless you are standing in water. Take care of valuables before flooding begins. You may not have time to do this once the water starts rising.
A: Insure your house against flooding. Barricade your home against floodwater. Reduce flood damage to utilities and valuables.

Article: There is no reason to induce vomiting at home. If you or someone you're with may have been poisoned, call the Poison Help Hotline at 1-800-222-1222 from anywhere in the United States. This number will connect you with a poison control center staffed by professionals that will provide you with free and confidential advice. Call this number at any time for any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. Outside of the U.S., look up the number for poison control in your country and call them immediately. For instance, the number to call in Australia is 13 11 26. People can be poisoned by chemicals, taking too much medication, and even too much of a certain food. If you think you or someone else may have been poisoned, do not hesitate to call Poison Control. Poison control personnel will ask you questions about what has been consumed, as well as any symptoms that have developed. If they direct you to go to an emergency room, do so immediately. Again, do not induce vomiting unless directed to do so. If you have a good idea what may have caused the poisoning, such as a bottle of pills, bring this with you. It will provide medical personnel with valuable information that can help them treat the poisoning victim.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Contact Poison Control immediately. Follow Poison Control's instructions exactly. Bring the container of the potential poison with you.

Article: If you're feeling particularly anxious or panicky, try grounding with your 5 senses. This can help you overcome the "spacey" feeling associated with anxiety and refocus on the present moment. In the surrounding environment, locate 5 things you can see, 4 things you can touch, 3 things you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste. Some people who have high-functioning anxiety have perfectionistic, "need to do it all" tendencies. If this describes you, give yourself a break when you're feeling stressed. Go through your day by setting the goal to do one thing at a time: get out of bed, take a shower, brush your teeth, eat a healthy breakfast, and so on. Focusing on one thing can help relieve anxiety and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed. Help yourself cope with anxiety by reciting statements that help you feel calm and positive about the situation. For instance, if you are anxious about meeting new people, tell yourself something like, "I am a great friend. They will be lucky to know me." One the toughest days, be sure to nurture yourself with self-care activities that improve your mood and mindset. Do any constructive activities that make you feel better about yourself or your life. Engage in a hobby such as gardening, pamper yourself with a massage or a manicure, or take a nap, if you'd like. If you have high-functioning anxiety, you might try to hide your anxious feelings from family or friends. Pretending that you're fine when you're not will only make you feel isolated and more anxious. If someone asks how you're doing, admit it. Say, "Honestly, I'm anxious" or "I'm not doing so well today." Resist the urge to beat yourself up for having anxiety, as this will only increase your anxiety. Those who care about you may want to help but not know how. Give them a clue as to how they might help you by making a few suggestions. You might say something like, "I could really use a hug" or "Would you mind helping me study for my test?" Don't feel you're being too forward about making specific requests. Your loved ones will likely be relieved that there's something they can do to help.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Practice grounding to reconnect with the here and now. Commit to one task at a time so you're not overwhelmed. Repeat positive affirmations to get through stressful situations. Do one thing that makes you feel good. Resist the urge to "fake it" when you're feeling anxious. Let loved ones know how they can help.