Comments on: Got Backstory? What Do You Do With It?

By: Backstory « Waiting for "The Call"

Backstory « Waiting for "The Call" — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:18:21 +0000

[...] found this post and this one on Romance University that add more to this. The first one has jolted me out of a [...]

By: carrie

carrie — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:41:35 +0000

I’ve never actually had the perils of backstory explained so simply and succinctly. It’s one of those “no-nos” that I knew slowed pace but the examples you gave just set it in stone for me. Thank you!

By: Backstory: Everything You Need to Know « The Writing Place

Backstory: Everything You Need to Know « The Writing Place — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:13:31 +0000

[...] http://romanceuniversity.org/2009/05/22/got-backstory-what-do-you-do-with-it/ [...]

By: Mary Jo

Mary Jo — Sat, 23 May 2009 22:09:20 +0000

I have a 10-page back story in my manuscript, which explains how the main character got his job and why a blue poker chip is his prize possession. This back story is really a short story.
Should I just keep this back story for possible future expansion into a future novel? The poker chip is mentioned two places in my manuscript and could be a starting place for novel #2.
Thank you for sharing your expertise on back stories and prologues (I had a P, but wisely am working any VIP details from it into the story itself.

By: Dyanne Davis

Dyanne Davis — Sat, 23 May 2009 14:13:08 +0000

The more everyone is talking and sharing their own issues the clearer this is becoming. I don’t know why writers think they’re the only with the issue until it’s brought out in a forum like this.

I was already following Theresa’s advice about weaving the back story in, but it was with the series that I was hitting a snag of how much is too much and when isn’t it enough.

This has been a very informative post. Kind of like an on line class. But one of the good things to happen from this is that I’m now going to brainstorm with another ’series’ author. Thanks everyone.

Dyanne

By: Denise Swanson

Denise Swanson — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:43:42 +0000

Backstory is one of my issues, too. I find my characters utterly fascinating and can’t figure out why everyone doesn’t want to know all the details about them.

But seriously, my first book, Murder of a Small-Town Honey, ended up starting with what was originally Chapter 3!

By: Mary E. Ulrich

Mary E. Ulrich — Sat, 23 May 2009 13:11:09 +0000

Excellent information.

If I am understanding this right, there are different kinds of backstory and your advice is to weave the backstory into a current action. Right?

Sorry, this is something I am struggling with in my story.

By: Tracey Devlyn

Tracey Devlyn — Sat, 23 May 2009 01:10:00 +0000

Everyone, thank you so much for joining us today! We really appreciate the support.

Theresa, awesome post and answers! You’ve really given us a lot of food for thought.

Have a great weekend!!
Tracey

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Fri, 22 May 2009 21:22:11 +0000

I love the comment about avoiding backstory during action scenes! It really highlights how backstory can impact a story’s momentum. Great insights, thank you for the article.

By: Dyanne Davis

Dyanne Davis — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:05:10 +0000

Theresa,

The books are meant to be stand alones. Since something new is happening in each book I believe the readers can follow the story. But on the other hand each book takes up where the previous one left off.

During the edits for the third book in the series, my editor told me there was a fine balance between telling too much to readers who knew the story and making sure new readers wouldn’t become lost. She wanted me to add a bit of back story even though she noted that I had weaved in major points through the story without it being back story. She also said I had a fantastic dramatic opening but still thought I should put in a bit of back story.

It was then I wondered if I would be better off putting the back story in a prologue. For that book though I added a couple of paragraphs, kept my dramatic opening, and had the character stop time as he contemplated how his life had spiraled out of control.

But since there will be at least four more books in the series the issue of back story/prologue is a very real one at the moment. So much so that I haven’t started writing the book yet. I’ve decided to do something else first. Thanks Theresa. All of this information is really helpful

Dyanne