7. That's how I wound up with my favorite characters in Naruto. I didn't like them at first (I flat out hated one of them) but then I started RPing them because my sister needed partners for her characters. Now they're my favorites.

8. I know how that feels. I've started a few, and they've all died before they really got going. It's disappointing but you should keep trying. I eventually helped start one that hasn't keeled over yet.