I definitely started off with characters I could relate to in some way because I felt like I could understand them and therefore (hopefully) do a better job at portraying them. Eventually as I became more comfortable with my writing and with the people on SS, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give other personalities a try.
Meredith Moxley was definitely way louder and more blunt than I was used to playing, but it was so refreshing playing someone like this because it is so not who I am.
Same with Harmony Delilah Skylark, who was my flower child ministry baby. I've learned to love playing characters who are a challenge for me because it pushes me to push myself creatively (if that makes any sense, eep)