Captivate Your Audience: Writing That Turns Heads and Opens Wallets Exciting News for Authors! Struggling with your writing? My latest blog posts have your back! Learn tips to captivate readers and boost your success. Say goodbye to lackluster writing and hello to engaging content that hooks readers. |
When it comes to crafting a novel, nailing the backstory is like finding the perfect spice for your grandma’s secret recipe—it makes everything come together beautifully. But where do you sprinkle this narrative gold, and how much should you add? In this post, we’re diving into the nitty-gritty of backstory: how to write it, where to position it, and how to keep your readers hooked.
What Is Backstory and Why Is It Important?Backstory is the history that shapes your characters and the world they live in. It's the hidden layer of your novel that adds depth and realism. Imagine watching a movie where you know nothing about the characters’ pasts—it would feel pretty flat, right? Your characters' experiences, traumas, and triumphs are what make them feel real and relatable. The key is to weave this into your story without dragging down the pace. Writing Backstory: How to Do It Right1. Sprinkle, Don’t DumpNobody likes an info dump. Picture this: you’re at a party, and someone starts telling you their entire life story in one go. Awkward, right? The same goes for backstory in your novel. Introduce it in small doses, like breadcrumbs leading your reader deeper into the narrative forest. Example: Instead of opening with a detailed history of your protagonist's tragic past, you could drop a line like, “Every time she passed the old bakery, the smell of cinnamon took her back to that fateful day when everything changed.” 2. Show, Don’t TellBackstory is most powerful when it’s shown through actions, dialogue, or sensory details, rather than just being told in a block of text. Example: If your character has a fear of water, show them avoiding the beach, flinching at the sight of a pool, or panicking during a rainstorm, rather than just stating, “Bob was scared of water.” 3. Make It RelevantDon’t just throw in backstory for the sake of it. It should serve a purpose, either driving the plot forward or revealing crucial aspects of your character. Example: If a character's fear of commitment stems from a past heartbreak, reveal snippets of this past only when they face a relationship crisis in the present. 4. Use Flashbacks SparinglyFlashbacks are a great tool, but too many can disrupt the flow of your story. Use them when you need to reveal something critical that can't be shown any other way. Example: A pivotal moment where your protagonist remembers the day they lost a loved one, shedding light on their current behaviour. Where to Position Backstory in Your Novel1. Start In Medias ResKick off your story in the thick of things. Hook your readers with an intriguing scene, and then weave in the backstory as the plot progresses. This keeps the momentum going and avoids the dreaded “slow start.” Example: Begin with your character in the midst of a robbery, then reveal their backstory as a former cop turned rogue through dialogue and action. 2. Integrate with DialogueCharacters discussing their pasts can be a natural and engaging way to introduce backstory. This also helps reveal character relationships and dynamics. Example: “Remember the time we almost got caught stealing Dad’s car?” Jenna laughed, the memory of their teenage rebellion still fresh in her mind. 3. Tie to Current EventsLink the backstory to what’s happening now in your plot. This makes it feel more relevant and integral to the story. Example: If your protagonist is running from a secretive organisation, snippets of their past with this group can be revealed as they encounter challenges or allies. 4. Use Memories and ReflectionsCharacters can reflect on their past in a way that ties to their present situation. This can be an effective way to reveal backstory without halting the plot. Example: Your hero pauses during a mission, a familiar landmark sparking a memory of a crucial training session that explains their current skills. 5. Drip Feed ThroughoutRather than dumping all the backstory in one place, sprinkle it throughout your novel. Each reveal should add a layer of depth to your characters and plot. Example: Drop hints about a character's estranged family in the first act, flesh out a significant event in the second, and reveal the full impact by the climax. Engaging Your Readers with BackstoryUse Humour to HumaniseBackstory doesn’t have to be all gloom and doom. Use humour to make your characters relatable and their histories engaging. Example: “Sophie always blamed her aversion to clowns on that one ill-fated birthday party where the ‘entertainer’ showed up tipsy and tried to juggle cats.” Create a Sense of MysteryKeep your readers guessing. Drop hints that make them curious about your characters’ pasts without giving everything away upfront. Example: “He never talked about why he left the military, but the scar running from his temple to his jawline suggested a story worth hearing.” Relatable StrugglesWe all have pasts that shape us. Make your backstory relatable by focusing on universal themes like love, loss, and personal growth. Example: “Jane’s hesitation at the reunion wasn’t just about facing her old classmates; it was about confronting the years she’d spent trying to forget that chapter of her life.” ConclusionMastering backstory in your novel can elevate your storytelling and create a richer, more immersive experience for your readers. Remember to sprinkle, not dump, and integrate it naturally into your narrative. Use humour, mystery, and relatable struggles to keep your readers hooked. Now, go forth and infuse your story with a backstory that’s as compelling as the main plot!
0 Comments
Hey there, fellow storytellers! Let’s delve into a fascinating aspect of our writer’s toolbox: backstory, or as we often know it, flashbacks. You know, those brief glimpses into a character’s past that make them feel real and relatable? While dialogue is a classic way to drop those nuggets of history, let’s embark on a journey to explore some fresh, exciting techniques to bring that backstory to life without relying on chatty characters.
1. Paint a Picture with Visual Imagery and Symbolism Have you ever heard the saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words”? A well-painted picture can tell an entire backstory in writing. Instead of spelling out past events, use vivid descriptions and symbols to hint at what happened. Example: Picture this: our hero, Alex, is haunted by a childhood fire. Instead of a lengthy dialogue explaining it, every time Alex sees a flickering candle, he flinches and his heart races. Maybe he avoids barbecue gatherings because the smell of smoke churns his stomach. Through these reactions, the story hints at his traumatic past, making readers piece together his history from these visual breadcrumbs. It’s like giving them a mini-mystery to solve! 2. Dive into Memory Lane with Internal Monologue Let’s get inside our character’s head for a bit. Internal monologue is like eavesdropping on someone’s thoughts, and it’s a goldmine for backstory. Memories pop up, uninvited and sometimes inconveniently, giving readers a direct line to the past. Example: Imagine your character, Sarah, walking through her old neighbourhood. She sees the park where she scraped her knee while playing soccer and the corner store where she used to buy her favourite candy. As she walks, memories flood back—she recalls the smell of fresh grass, the sting of that scrape, and the joy of unwrapping a candy bar after school. Suddenly, she’s not just strolling down the street; she’s reliving moments that shaped her. It’s personal, intimate, and a great way to weave backstory into the present narrative. 3. Unearth History with Environmental Cues and Artifacts Our surroundings hold stories, like a treasure chest waiting to be opened. Using environmental cues and artefacts, we can reveal a character’s past in a natural and immersive way. Example: Think about a character, Jake, revisiting his childhood home. Every creaky floorboard and dusty photo album tells a story. Maybe he finds an old journal filled with teenage angst or a letter from a long-lost friend. As Jake flips through the journal’s pages, he’s transported back to those high school days—the crushes, the struggles, and the dreams. These artefacts act like time machines, taking Jake and the reader back in time. It’s a hands-on history lesson that doesn’t feel like one, making the backstory come alive without a single word of dialogue. Wrapping It Up So, here are three fun and creative ways to sprinkle backstory into your narrative. By using visual imagery and symbolism, delving into internal monologues, and unearthing environmental cues and artefacts, you can add depth and richness to your characters’ histories. These techniques make your story more engaging and invite readers to become part of the storytelling process. Now, it’s your turn to experiment with these techniques in your own storytelling. Who knows? You might discover a new, exciting way to share your characters’ pasts. Happy writing! I remember the first time I read about writing. The golden rule was never to use adverbs—not even one! They also told me to avoid adverbs in dialogue tags, like “she said quietly.”
Why Do We Even Have Adverbs? So, if adverbs are so bad, why do they even exist? Are they just lazy authors’ crutches, morphing adjectives into quick fixes? Or maybe they have a purpose and can actually be useful without making a writer seem lazy or confused. The Case for Speaking Softly Let’s take this example: “Lila fidgeted with her scarf, glanced at her watch, and said softly, ‘I’m not sure where he went.’” Here, Lila’s actions show she’s unsure, and speaking softly is a natural part of being uncertain, right? Sure, we could say she spoke quietly, gently, or hesitantly, but does any word fit better than “softly”? “Quietly” might suggest she’s being discreet, not that her tone is gentle and unsure. Let’s try another version: “Lila fidgeted with her scarf, glanced at her watch, and said loudly, ‘I’m not sure where he went.’” Now, she might just be impatient or frustrated. If we strip it down to: “Lila fidgeted with her scarf, glanced at her watch, and said, ‘I’m not sure where he went,’” she seems unsure, but we can’t be sure. Using “softly” or "loudly" here gives us a clear picture of her state of mind without extra sentences. Adverbs Aren’t All Bad Looking back at our example, does any other adverb fit Lila’s mood better than “softly”? And more importantly, can we convey the same clarity without it? Sure, we could add a few more sentences, but “softly” does the job perfectly in just one word. But Don’t Go Overboard This isn’t a free pass to sprinkle adverbs all over your writing. A well-placed adverb can be as powerful as any other word used wisely. However, despite their existence, you should avoid using words like "smilingly" or "tiredly". Almost any adjective can become an adverb with “-ly,” but that doesn’t mean you should use them all. Adverbs, like adjectives, have their place, but only after you’ve searched for the best verb or noun. So use adverbs, but do so with care and purpose. They’re not the villains of grammar but must be used wisely to enhance your writing, not clutter it. Remember that high school English teacher who insisted on the most colourful, flowery descriptions? Maybe you encountered the same enthusiasm in college, reading works by MFA (Master of Fine Arts) darlings who seemed determined to adorn every noun with glittering adjectives. While adverbs often get a bad rap, adjectives are equally guilty of cluttering your prose. Let's chat about why less is more when it comes to adjectives.
Adjectives vs. Adverbs: The Same Rules Apply Just like a strong verb makes an adverb redundant, the right noun eliminates the need for an adjective. Think about it: if you describe someone as a "wizard," do you really need to add that he's a "mysterious wizard with powerful magic"? The word "wizard" already paints that picture. Similarly, saying "skilled chefs crafted gourmet dishes" is redundant. Aren't all chefs supposed to be skilled? The essence of both a wizard and a chef shines through without extra embellishment. The Case of "Very" and "Much" I don't share the same disdain for "very" and "much" that some teachers do (though I’m no teacher myself, ha!). Phrases like "very excited" or "much appreciated" can be perfectly fine. However, it's wise to test whether they’re necessary. Read your sentence with and without these words. If the meaning remains clear and strong without them, ditch the extra baggage. When Adjectives Are Overkill Consider how strong nouns can stand on their own without adjectives. For instance: "A large brown Labrador retriever chased a terrified young boy with curly hair holding a red rubber ball who had just run away from the cranky old man in the blue house on Elm Street." Now, compare it to: "A dog chased a boy who had run away from a man." See the difference? The latter is concise and impactful. Decide how much detail each noun needs based on its importance to your story. Does the reader need to know the dog's breed, colour, or size? Maybe the Labrador is a known character in the neighbourhood. It’s your call as a writer to balance detail and clarity. The Overwritten Sentence: A Real Example I once stumbled upon this gem in a book from the '90s: "She sipped a steaming hot cup of rich, dark coffee as the red sports car zoomed down the freshly paved asphalt road." Cringe-worthy, right? Do we need to specify the coffee's temperature and color when most people assume coffee is hot and dark? And unless the car’s color is plot-relevant, why mention it? A cleaner version: "She sipped coffee as the sports car zoomed down the road." Choosing the Best Nouns This timeless piece of advice holds true: strong nouns trump adjectives. Think about how to describe a fierce dog. "Fang" immediately springs to mind for most. But you could also go with "Beast" or "Rex" if you’re feeling classic. Sometimes, just "monster" does the trick. The Adjective Purge: A Practical Tip Here's a neat trick: strip your draft of every adjective. Then, read through it and only reintroduce the ones that are absolutely necessary. I’ve recommended this to my clients and writers I critique. The result? Tighter, more engaging prose. Always! In summary, while adjectives can add colour to your writing, overusing them can muddy your message. Focus on finding the strongest nouns and verbs to convey your story. Your readers (and editors) will thank you! Have you ever picked up a book only to groan at the unnecessary setup for a phone call? You know, the precise details about Janice walking to the phone, punching in numbers with her index finger, and waiting for Ann to pick up? Ugh, we've all been there. Let's put an end to that, shall we?
And what about those scenes where characters exchange pleasantries with receptionists? *Yawn.* As Janice entered the reception area outside Ann's office, she approached the desk where a man sat. "Hi there," she greeted him warmly. "I'm Janice Smith, here for a meeting with Ann Jones. She's been expecting me." The man nodded politely. "Just a moment, please," he said, reaching for his phone. After a brief exchange with the person on the other end, he turned back to Janice with a smile. "Mrs. Jones is ready to see you now," he said, gesturing towards the office door. Avoid getting bogged down in mundane details like office introductions—they're the fastest way to slow down your story's momentum. Let's delve into the concept of pacing. Over-describing mundane activities can quickly derail a story's momentum. We're not here for Janice's leisurely walk to the phone or polite conversation with a receptionist. We crave action, drama, and intrigue! When it comes to writing, keep in mind that less is often more. Trim the unnecessary, cut the excess, and focus on the essence. Your readers will relish the dynamic narrative. So, the next time you're tempted to indulge in unnecessary details, remember that pacing is crucial, and brevity is your trusted companion. Ever felt like your story's stuck in a rut, despite all the action-packed scenes? You're not alone. Creating drama doesn't automatically mean your plot's moving forward.
Scott Eyman, a film critic, once said, "Action has become confused with movement." He nailed it. It's like mistaking a car chase for actual plot development. Ouch. Sometimes, you've gotta be ruthless. If a scene doesn't serve your plot, it's time to bid it adieu. Faulkner said it best: sometimes, you gotta "kill your babies." Brutal, but true. And it's not just about dialogue or exposition. Even the most action-packed scenes can fall flat if they're not pushing the story forward. In books, just like in movies, pointless scenes leave us scratching our heads. But here's the kicker: filmmakers have it easy. They can fix a scene with a few edits. In a novel, a lull can cost you readers. That's why every word must propel the plot forward. Bottom line? Cut the fluff, focus on the plot. It's tough love, but your story will thank you for it. |
James Field
Talvik, Norway You can also Find me on subscribe to get a free copy
Archives
June 2024
|