Comments on: Beware the Bog of Backstory

By: Amanda

Amanda — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:38:34 +0000

Perhaps if a writer is so keen on backstory of characters & getting bogged down in it then the story should be a memory that happened to them instead of fighting to write about a current event. Instead of writing about the crime & the motivation behind it, you could write about what happened in the child’s life to cause them to turn to crime.

By: DiDi

DiDi — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:52:00 +0000

This reminds me so much of those twitterpeeps and FBfriends who feel the need to tell us what they’re eating, what they ate, or what they will be eating; when they leave their seat (and why); how they spent their day, or how they intend to spend it, etc. We all have lives…those who need to post so much personal and/or inconsequential info just don’t realize that we all have it and, really, nobody wants to read about it. I guess that’s the same with characters. They (usually) had “lives” before we put them on the page…we should acknowledge that fact and focus on what brings them to our page. Thanks for the post.

By: Stephen Tremp

Stephen Tremp — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 04:23:50 +0000

Great post. During my re-edit my editor and I had to take out so much data dump, redundancies, and other stuff so the story would not be bogged down. Lesson learned: A writer cannot become emotionally attached to their work. Stephen Tremp

By: Ava Elaine

Ava Elaine — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:21:05 +0000

I completely agree with you, Kristen. I enjoy learning about the motivation for a character’s actions, but I am often bored to death when I read the motivation of the motivation. I’m really glad I read your post because it helps me rethink how I am utilizing back story/flash back in my writing. Thanks!

By: M Cid D'Angelo

M Cid D'Angelo — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 22:18:08 +0000

As Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world is indeed a stage and we are merely players”, what static plot would there be if our characters remained nondescript and just there to push the plot forward?

To tell the truth, there are several major bestselling authors who rely on bland main characters to propel their novels. They would argue that the pace is the most important factor, and characterization would just slow down the story. Some authors get away with it, because their gimmick is greater than their characters. Thrillers seem to fall into this category. I love Michael Crichton’s books, but even though I recall his story, I can’t – for the life of me – ever recall his characters being noteworthy other than just providing a link between reader and story. The same goes with Dan Brown who comes up with provocative narratives that hinge mainly on Langdon jumping through hoops just to decipher the next clue.

To me, a reader, characterization IS key. My own stories rely heavily upon the humor and the soul-searching they go through. They must not only overcome the physical or mental obstacles, but GROW as human beings.

By: jasonamyers

jasonamyers — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 21:11:53 +0000

Backstory is tricky.

Donald Maass had a good rule of thumb he used for backstory: Backstory must add uncertainty to the present. If it doesn’t, cut it or change it.

By: Terrell Mims

Terrell Mims — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 20:51:13 +0000

Short, but sweet. Time to write Chapters 9-13, the War in Heaven through Josh’s birth.