Writer's Fallout Shelter

i try to make characters i'd like to know, characters i'd like to follow through whatever story i'm telling. maybe a bit skewed to what other people like to read, but even the jackass characters i write about are interesting to me, jerks that they are. maybe even more than the hero of the story. i love putting words in their mouth, actions in their hands, that i'd want to do and say. vicarious thrills!

to define them, i try to reveal them as i'd get to know someone in the 'real' world. by observing them--how they carry themselves, their little habits & tics, how they talk to others, & react to the (usually disturbing) events around them.

one of my weak points is the ability to create truly different heros--i definitely gravitate toward the 'alter ego' character. the me i'd wanna be, if i were fictional. i'd have a fabulous sense of humor, a quick mind, and courage to face the bad guys. my heros all have these qualities. hmm...interesting to think about writing a dull, cowardly hero. can it be done? would anyone want to read that?