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Feb 19, 2024 · There are several different techniques you can use to convey backstory. Last year, I did a three-part series about backstory techniques. 1. Sharing Backstory With the Backstory Drip. The main one is the one you’re going to want to use in pretty much any story, even if you do choose to use some of the other techniques.
- When Backstory Works
- When Backstory Fails
- Balancing Backstory
I often joke that skillful writing techniques are a little bit like Supreme Justice Potter Stewart’s infamous 1964 opinion of pornography:You may not be able to define it, but you know it when you see it. But well-used backstory is often invisible, woven so seamlessly into the tapestry of the story that you don’t notice the individual threads. It c...
Walking the tightrope of balancing backstory is often unfortunately often weighted to one side—backstory traps are legion and easy to stumble into: 1. Frontloaded backstory:This is among the most common missteps I see with backstory—authors worry that readers won’t understand or invest in their characters and story without “bringing them up to spee...
I always suggest a few basic guidelines to make sure that the backstory you’re introducing feels organic and seamless to the story: 1. The Watergate question: This is my paraphrased version of the famed standard of guilt in the Nixon hearings:What do readers need to know and when do they need to know it? Successfully incorporating backstory means u...
1. Make sure that all of your character’s past details are consistent and believable. 2. Pay close attention to how your character has changed over time and their relationships with other characters. 3. Ensure that any events or experiences in your character’s past are relevant to the present-day plot of your story. 4.
- Tom Bromley
- Know who your character is in the present. The way your character behaves in the present moment says a lot about their backstory. Often, there is a reason why they act or react to situations the way they do, making a reader wonder about their past.
- Remember that people change. With a firm grip on who your characters are now, you can start to explore who they used to be. While there should be continuity between their past and current selves, having some differences can show they’ve evolved over time.
- Create a turning point. Sometimes, a character’s backstory includes a catalyst that completely alters the course of their life. This event can often provide the key to understanding their actions.
- Reveal information in a strategic way. Maintaining some mystery around your character and who they are can be a great way to build intrigue. Drip feeding them the backstory throughout the book — or even series of books — will keep your audience engaged and speculating about the possibilities.
Jul 14, 2018 · All of a sudden, a meaningless, ordinary interaction with a stranger turned into a surprising event with your sister…and there is only one difference involved: backstory. You know your sister, better than you know yourself. You’ve grown up together, shared a room for all of your childhood. You know that she is terrified of spiders and ...
Backstory: How to write backstory effectively. Backstory is important. Having the reader learn more about your character’s past can help them understand who they are and how they’ll react in certain situations. However, there’s a fine line between giving useful information to your reader and boring them to tears!
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Backstory is a fundamental narrative technique that refers to the events and experiences that shape a character’s life before the main story begins. It’s essentially the background information that adds depth and context to characters and settings, providing a richer understanding of the present narrative. Why backstory matters
