Monday Morning Manuscript Mayhem!

Long title, right?
From now on, on Monday morning, I am giving my readers the chance to vote on what I write that week! Thus the name, Monday Morning Manuscript Mayhem ;)
Here are this week's options:
1. The Infection, book 2
    Book one introduced us to a brand new world of vampires, where they fight to protect humans and don't believe in love. But Irina and Logan's story is just getting started. They've got a lot to prove before its over...

2. The Invincible Project, book 3, TRIED
    Kate, also known as Kat, the crime-fighting, half-leopard heroine of Chicago, was a normal girl until she was kidnapped and experimented on. Now, she's out in the city with a vow to stop the corruption and end the chaos that plagues Chicago.

3. Segolia 2: Age of the Shadow (edits)
    I've written the rough draft but it is FAR from ready for publishing. Vote for Segolia 2 if you're ready to see where the story will lead Nissa, Rylan, and the rest of the Guardians.

4. 2112
    What if music didn't exist? Well, its the year 2112 and no one has even heard of music. Until now. Alyssa Rose finds out about it when she's sent a mysterious message from the past. And as she struggles with the terrible events that led to its destruction, Alyssa will have to bring back what was once lost.

5. Blue
    This is the story of a girl with a secret. Orphaned, alone, mysterious, she has been hiding most of her life. She has lips the color of the Caribbean. Yes, they're blue. But soon, while falling for the introspective writer next door, she discovers that there is a reason behind it. And that reason will lead her to a world she couldn't have ever imagined.

How To: Make your characters REAL

Making characters seem real can be really difficult, especially for new writers. But there are some things that all writers can do, new or experienced that'll make their lives easier.
The idea behind a real character is that the reader can feel for them. Readers need to sympathize with the hero, hate the villain's guts (or possibly be confused by their actions), and hope the romance lasts or ends. Readers are in for a ride, and it's your job to give it to them.
The trick behind doing that is making your characters as real to you as your best friends are. You will most likely know more about them than your readers, at least at first. Don't try to reveal everything about your characters all at once. It just overwhelms the reader and they can't remember it all.
Characters also need to be fallible. No one is perfect, not even your favorite character. Their faults only add to them, and readers love them even more as they sympathize.
Example:
Edgeshifter is a good person, and we love her. She always does the right thing, even if it hurts her. We sympathize with her as she struggles and we hope for the best for her sake.
It also helps when we add little quirks and habits that bring the characters to life and make them more memorable.
Example:
Edgeshifter is nicknamed "Edge" by friends and family. She is white-scaled and has piercing blue eyes. These are little things that don't really affect her personality but fit right in with it.
Questions on how else you can make characters come to life? Write a comment! I love feedback.

Story World Template

This is really good for fantasy writers, as you have to create an entire world:

Geography:
I typically make a map of the land for this one.
Cultural Groups and Races:
What races are in your story? What groups of people?
Example: In Segolia, there are the elves of Segolia, the elves of Broen, the desert people, naiads, dryads, dragons, etc.
Plants:
Are there any unusual plants in your story world?
Example: dryad trees in Segolia
Animals:
Are there any animalistic creatures in your story?
History:
What history of your story world is important to the story?
Example: the history of the war between dragons and elves in Segolia
Political structures:
I go through each cultural group's political structure. So I write a paragraph about dragon politics, Broenian elf politics, Segolian elf politics, etc.
Economic Structure:
Again, I go through each cultural group. I write a paragraph for each group's economic structure, like if they use money and how they earn their keep and what jobs are available, etc.
Example: Dragons do have jobs, assigned by the dragon leader, but they have no use for money.
Social Structure:
Go through each cultural group, going through their society. What are accepted truths of society? What kind if ceremonies, educations, etc. are part of a race's society?
Example: Dragons have a coming of age ceremony.
Foods and Drinks:
What kinds of things do the groups eat? For example, dragons eat large game, whereas an elf might eat similarly to a human.
Languages:
What languages and dialects do the people speak?
Entertainment:
What does each cultural group do for fun?4
Sexual Roles:
In each cultural group/race, what are the different roles between man and woman?
Example: Elven women are expected to stay home, away from war and politics. Men make all decisions and fight.

All this information may never appear in the story but the more you know the better.