This is an opinionated guide, folks, it's my opinion, so stfu.

OK, let's start with design and illustration, don't go to TeamArtail, find a good screenshot and colour over it, don't use a base everyone else has used over 1000 times, I will say, if you're having a hard time with a pose, look for a resource image and copy the pose from that. Spines are ok, as long as they aren't exactly like Sonic's, that's been done. TO DEATH. DO NOT GIVE YOUR CHARACTER 2 FOX TAILS, I'll explain more on that later.

Next off, let's try naming, don't give your character six names, the maximum is three; First name, second name then surname. Got it? Good. And no, translating a random noun into Japanese doesn't make it any more original, if you MUST have a Japanese name, go to a baby naming site, or use a name you KNOW is a name. But try and vary it a little, don't limit yourselves to Japanese and English names. What about a Russian name or a Korean name or something, ever thought of those?

Let's do some backstories! Now, yes, I don't mind a little bit of tragedy, if I said I didn't I'd be a hypocrite. But there's a fine line between interesting drama and boring drama, first off, DO NOT make it that your character's parents abandoned him/her or were killed, that's been done too many times, and it feels kind of lazy because you don't then have to design a family. For good drama, take a look at things that could actually happen without social services getting involved realistically. If there's a canon character involved in ANY way (brother/sister/friend/boy/girlfriend) remove that immediately. It's been overdone and canon is canon.

Powers and abilities time! This is where it can all go so wrong. Avoid elemental powers like the plague, they're overused, don't go for telekinesis, either, again, overused. Magic is ok in my eyes, as long as there aren't any spells/incantations that gives you invincibility or instantly heals yourself, that's over the top, and don't go 'He/she learnt it very quickly, because they're a natural!' because that's a cop-out, Alyss uses magic and she's still not perfect at it. Don't make them better than canon characters. EVER D|

Personality quirks, this is an add-on to the backstory, really, think about the emotional damage whatever happened in the past has given. HOWEVER, do not make your character just moan and moan about how they were wronged as a child, don't make them a Shadow the Angstyhog, please. May for instance is scared of getting lost because she did that when she was 10 and her father didn't care. Stuff like that, y'know?

As a final note, a lot of you aught to toughen up a little. Stop overreacting to criticism! Especially if it's constructive, don't focus n the negative and start looking at the positive, too, take the negative on board and then try harder next time. Don't use the excuse of 'it's my style' that doesn't make up for basic anatomy flaws. Don't go all-caps rage on the person who gave it, they're trying to help you get better.

If you need any more guidance on making your character go link

Hope this has helped a lot of you!