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

By: Backstory: more resources » Jordan McCollum

Backstory: more resources » Jordan McCollum — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:10:08 +0000

[...] Got Backstory? What Do You Do With It? by Theresa Stevens at Romance University [...]

By: Backstory and character motivation » Jordan McCollum

Backstory and character motivation » Jordan McCollum — Wed, 12 May 2010 19:59:47 +0000

[...] editor Theresa Stevens has said: Beware the backstory used to shore up character motivations. It often points to a lack of real [...]

By: Backstory through setting and props » Jordan McCollum

Backstory through setting and props » Jordan McCollum — Mon, 10 May 2010 21:32:19 +0000

[...] editor Theresa Stevens puts it (emphasis mine): Even though backstory relates past events, it sets the stage for current events. [...]

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.