And another thing (while I'm in identification mode!)
I've been warbling on about how important it is the your reader to identify with your story and a key way of helping them to do this -- of opening a window for them, if you like -- is to make sure that they can relate to your central character. Your hero should have a mix of universal and unique attributes that are easily recognisable to your reader. To help you achieve this, why don't you make a list of three of each and then see if you can flesh them out?
When you are focusing on these characteristics it might be worth bearing in mind that if there is a certain amount of conflict between them, this will make your character more interesting and more plausible. It could be that he / she is physically brave, but crippled with shyness, or that he is intellectually brilliant, but emotionally unintelligent. You're beginning to catch my drift....
As well as making sure they have conflicting qualities, it will also be a little more true to life if they have weaknesses as well as strengths. This will help them seem more real, but also give them (but more importantly, you) material to work with, as most narratives hinge around a hero learning to deal with a central flaw in his nature.
Back to my own work in progress now...
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