Creating a character is a very personal process, done differently by each person. Consider this a guideline, which you are welcome to modify depending on what is easiest for you.

"All you need is your own imagination, that's what it's for."

Usually the first thing I get is a vague idea of what sort of character I feel like playing. This can be anything about them; personality traits, race, class, whatever. Maybe you feel like making an incredibly cheerful person. Great, work from that. Or maybe you really want to try an earth templar. Why not? Just pick a few ideas that you are interested in. By making something interesting to you, it becomes more interesting to other people, through your enthusiasm.

"Justify my love."

Now this is the fun part. WHY are you the way you are? Justify your character, explain how they came to be whatever they are. Figuring this out writes out your background as a mere side-effect.

Are you cheerful? Why? A healthy loving upbringing? A mere facade you've had to cultivate, to hide your simmering rage? Anything goes, but try for creative reasons. Figuring out these details helps keep your character consistent.

"All the little things you do will end up coming back to you."

The devil is in the details... and maybe not coincidentally, so is everything cool about your character. Try to figure out various aspects of their personality, and their likes, dislikes, flaws.. anything to give your character CHARACTER. Little things like figuring out a favourite colour or season, based on what you would imagine apt for your character, can do a LOT for fleshing out your role. Just being able to imagine those things from your idea is a great sign.

"Why do they always say 'Don't look back'?"

Pro tip: Are you a surly srryn whose family was killed by spirit templars, and now you hate all people who claim to be "good"? You and 50,000 other guys. Were you just a wee lass/lad when you saw your family butchered by shuddeni, so now you fight evil? Welcome to the club.

I often jokingly refer to adventurers in Avendar as the Orphan Army. It seems the best way to get yourself waxed is to have a kid! The number of dead parents is truly astonishing.

"To know you is to love you."

While I'm not saying you shouldn't have a background that includes the untimely death of your parents, maybe try having your 'rents alive sometime. Or if that's too intimidating, try just having just one... mom OR pop. Originality makes your character all the better... and joining the Orphan Army makes it all the more likely you'll just be one of the masses.

"Don't underestimate my point of view."

After you've figured out all your reasonings, see if you have any gaps in your past. Maybe figure out names for your (most likely dead) parents. Do you have siblings? Heck, name them too. Pet dog? Don't name him Fido, Latin isn't popular in Avendar. Figure out all the details that you tend to find out about a person in the course of knowing them. Maybe have some secrets, some fears, something to make you more than a cookiecutter character (an affectionate term we use for a character that is rather unoriginal in concept).