First things first; look at, but do not study, the character sheet. Yes, that's the entirety of the character sheet, and we'll go through all of it in turn.
Next, look at the setting info, and glance at but do not memorize the skill list.
Now, look at the character creation worksheet.
We are going to focus on the first section, "Character Idea", first. A character should be a proactive and interesting individual, and it's your job to make him or her that way. No wall flowers, please. Think of some things that would fit the setting.
Before we look at examples, let me define the term "aspect". In Fate, an aspect is something significant, THAT DEFINES REALITY. It says why your character matters. For example, if your High Aspect is "Best Swordswoman in Duke Freidrich's Iron Guard", they there is a Duke Freidrich, who has a unit called the Iron Guards, that includes women. Of course, you need to choose skills to back up your claim, but your High Aspect, your concept, has helped define the world.
Here are some High Aspect examples, based on Bruce Willis movies (courtesy of Reddit):
- Die Hard: Stubborn Maverick Cop
- Hudson Hawk: Undercaffinated ex con
- 5th Element: Struggling cabbie
- Sixth Sense: Troubled psychologist
- Lucky Number Slevin: Merciless Hitman
- Red: Retired, extremely dangerous
- Expendables: CIA fixer
Once you have the High Concept, pick the Trouble. Maybe not all the guys in the Duke's Iron Guards like having women in the unit? Maybe you beat a few of their ego's into the mud? Or maybe the unit is fine, but Duchess Serana's assassins get top gold for an Iron Guard head, with or without the formerly attached body?
Lastly, pick your name.