» Fri Jun 22, 2012 10:04 am
I find a rough flowchart to be useful. Basic decisions: race, focus (warrior, mage, etc.), gender.
Then decide what kind of warrior (to take an example) you want to be. You're experienced enough to know what suits you: sword and board, two hander, ranged, stealth, etc.
Rough out a family background: orphaned, returning to Skyrim 'cuz everyone back in (pick a place) told you that you should "return to your roots;" child of a merchant family from (who knows) sent out on an exploratory trade venture, things went badly, you survived and your guards didn't; runaway slave or indentured servant from (place.) The possibilities are endless.
Is your new character honest and honorable? Underhanded and bereft of emotion? Just plain mean? Helpful, bending over backward to keep the peace, willing to go out of his/her way for others? Natural leader or willing follower? "Ends justify the means" kinda person?
The beauty is that you're in complete control of it. Of course, the game doesn't bend greatly to suit some ideas, so you just pretend. Or, knowing the game's systems and mechanics, stay within those boundaries. If you make a decision, the more fleshed-out it is, the more enjoyable it will be, so long as you adhere to your basic notions (allowing room for expansion and compaction.)