[quote=Gat]
This is something I do regularly, [b]I have a selection of character 'archtypes' in a sense that I use, usually names assigned to personalities and basic characteristics, some more than others. but I'll always take care to match the character to the RP[/b] they're being inserted into from backstory to possessions and all the other setting specific stuff, I've had new character sets come from this process a few times as the character evolves in the new setting and ends up sometimes rather different to the starting point too, all part of the fun really.
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This is one way to go about it. For me, I tend to choose RPs in which my characters would fit, or in which their very existence could lead to... well, the "unexpected". Isn't that one of the tenants of Creativity? Just because a character "doesn't fit" doesn't mean they can't add to the story. And given the fact I don't play humans, my characters/species are already designed to be flexible, to be fit in either a sci-fi or fantasy setting, just as they are. So yes, I "recycle". None of my characters are "disposable" and therefore I use them over and over again, simply picking the character out of my roster I think would most fit the particular RP I wish to join. I leave it up to the GM as to whether that character is accepted or not, though I have no trouble arguing my case, if I feel my "out of place" character could add interest to the RP, or at least some contrast, some twist to the action within the storyline.

My whole point in this is to build my roster of characters, to develop them, to make a history I can refer back to, so they play as three-dimensional, not just something that popped out of nowhere. Heh... not that I haven't read RPs or RP ideas and found brand new characters popping into my head. In fact, that's how I created my characters Thoee and Deen. And the Nism species as a whole. I was inspired, and that Inspiration resulted in a New Creation. Yes, popped out of nowhere, in effect, but built on over time and many RPs in which I've reused said characters. To the point they now have a daughter, and Thoee is overdue to give birth to their presently unborn son. If I'd thrown them away, not "recycled" them for continued development, they would never have grown into the characters they presently are.

Just a different way to go about it... a different way to enjoy "part of the fun", as you said. And like your method as well, I've had characters end up quite different than originally intended. I know I keep bringing them up, but Thoee and Deen are one of my prime examples. And I have indeed enjoyed much fun in seeing them grow and change.