Basics
Essentially, this guide is not intended to suggest you can't already make excellent characters on your own. Rather, this is to sort of introduce you to what we're looking for when we ask for negative and positive traits, as well as one neutral trait.
All traits cannot be present all of the time, so we do not expect your character to be actively engaging with each of their personality traits every waking moment; if they have a wild temper which surfaces only when they're overwhelmed, then they can be both levelheaded and have an angry streak. The only thing we ask when you write such contradictions is that you very clearly qualify when and what triggers the different traits. which situations, stresses, opportunities, etc make a character react in these ways? On top of that, if the situations are incredibly rare, like... Character starts throwing furniture in a ragey fit, but only after seeing a shark... that's not really a trait. I'd say that's pretty much a quirk.
Positive Traits
When writing positive traits, please try to keep in mind that none of our characters are super-beings who are good at everything and can do no wrong. We limit the trait number to keep you precise, since we want to focus on the most crucial traits, whichever those may be. That said, make sure these are real virtues, or strengths, and if it's not apparent why, then please explain why to your character this is considered a strength. Ideally, however, traits are observable by others. I.e. My character may be kind of a loner, because he believes that being alone is smarter and safer, but that shouldn't be a virtue.
Neutral Trait
Perhaps the most tricky of all traits to grasp, the neutral trait is one which alone has no value to it; it could go either way. Someone who is impressionable might be taught to reach enlightenment, but they may also be easily persuaded to commit some crime? Anyway, if you're stuck for a neutral trait, it's okay to leave it out for now; as much as we'd like you to think about balance, this can be the most difficult one to pin down. Facey has trouble with it sometimes :P
Negative Trait
Cannot be "too nice," "too friendly," or anything else that is a value typically considered positive but driven to an extreme. If in doubt, ask staff. This trait should be something that hinders the character, makes them unpleasant, balances out the good, etc... try to make these traits something present in their lives. Basically, these traits should give someone a valid reason to dislike your character. Try not to soften the blow by "forgiving" the flaws. By that I mean a tendency to tack on things such as "They might have a bad temper, but they won't ever do anything that rash even when they're livid." That kind of takes the sting away, you know?
Some Helpful Links
Personality Factor Tables :: A pretty thorough series of charts which indicate positive and negative traits.
5 Models of Personality :: Guide to some of the personality "archetypes" which may help you narrow down which sets of traits are relevant to the kind of character you envision.
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