When someone asks you how to describe yourself what do you say?

I normally say I am an observer of life and shy away from crowds -- now that is not really a description of myself, is it? A description can be simple or complex, depending upon the person and purpose. I can say I am five foot four, slender, long brown hair, brown eyes, and have a bump on my nose. That paints a picture of what I look like - that's a description. But do you know anything about me? No, not really.

So, what's next? I'm quiet and shy when there are a lot people around, or if I'm somewhere I'm not comfortable. I'm self conscious about my flaws. I'm a clutz, but I'm a good cook. I will lay down my life to protect my children. I'm a giver and a people pleaser. I hate to disappoint anyone and will do everything in my power to see that it doesn't happen, even at the expense of not getting my own way. I LOVE the ocean and when I go there a sense of calm takes over my senses. When I'm comfortable around a person I laugh from my belly - when I'm not I probably don't laugh at all.

NOW do you get a sense of who I am? Better - I suppose - and now you are asking what is this all about? I just demonstrated how difficult it is to get to know a character in a novel. How do you take everything I just wrote about myself and portray that through actions in a novel? BUT make them sympathetic and real? (Oh yeah, and keep the story moving?) I guess that is what is called building a character!

So.....how would you describe yourself?