One thing I’ve been experimenting with is creating archetypal characters ahead of time and then handing each player a couple sheets to choose from. If they don’t like either one, they can grab a sheet someone else discards.

I leave backstory details blank, but the basic mechanics of each character is already laid out.

In theory, it seems like I’m setting myself up for fights with my players, but in practice it hasn’t been a problem.

…of course this might be because my players are all either adults or preteens.