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1 Things to Consider When Writing a Backstory. 2 The Do’s and Don’ts of Revealing a Character’s Backstory. 2.1 DO Write Everything Down About Your Character. 2.2 DON’T Share Everything With Your Readers. 2.3 DO Pinpoint the Defining Events that Impacted the Character. 2.4 DON’T Get Carried Away.
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.
- Don’t relate more than the briefest backstory in the first chapter because you need to create momentum, and backstory will stop progress dead. Too much too early can halt the main plot.
- Do avoid dropping a block of backstory as introspection, where the protagonist is deep in thought. Consider dribbling in backstory, drop-by-drop, like a drip coffee maker.
- Don’t forget that introspection is only one way to introduce backstory. Other options are dialogue and action.
- Do use actions to present core beliefs forged in the past. Does your character repeatedly check the front door lock as they recall a traumatic experience with a home invasion?
Jun 6, 2013 · Backstory refers to the characters’ history and other story elements that underlie the situation at the start of the book. Backstory helps to establish the setting and makes the reader care about what happens to the characters. But as authors, we need to be careful: Backstory by definition takes the story backward.
Mar 24, 2023 · Don't Beat Your Reader Over the Head with Backstory. Sharing character backstory can be one of the most difficult parts of writing a novel, particularly for new writers. I think this is because, often, a writer spends a lot of time getting to know their characters before they start writing a book. They may have filled out a character sketch or ...
- Shannon Mckelden
It raises the stakes—makes readers care about how a character wins or loses. It deepens your story world—makes the story feel more like real life. Use setting to improve your backstory. One way to improve your backstory is to use setting to help bring the character to life. First, let’s review for a moment what elements usually make up ...
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Jan 10, 2023 · Backstory brings characters to life, gives them depth and dimension, and draws readers in. Without it characters may feel opaque or flat, their actions random or unmotivated. But too much backstory can dilute and derail your actual story. Backstory is a potent tool in your writing, and like all power tools it must be operated carefully—too ...
