May 10th, 2019
Backstory: The More I Know, The Less You Have To
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Writing Craft
Piper Bayard
We’ve all read books with page after page of backstory. Okay, we’ve all skimmed books with page after page of backstory. We likely have even some of those books ourselves. Where does that extra verbiage come from, and why do we put it in?… Read the post
January 27th, 2017
Story Genius on Backstory
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Lisa Cron | Writing Craft
Lisa Cron
Backstory is something writers often struggle with, largely because of the writing myths out there that make it seem like something that’s best avoided. Ironic, because by avoiding backstory, writers tend to doom their novels right out of the starting gate.… Read the post
September 16th, 2016
Margie’s Rule #17: Finessing Backstory
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Margie Lawson | Writing Craft
Margie Lawson
Writers know the cautions about backstory. I’d bet every basic how-to book for writers warns against overwhelming readers with too much backstory.
Backstory usually kills pacing.
Backstory usually kills momentum.
Backstory usually kills your chances with an agent or editor.… Read the post
March 11th, 2015
Keeping a Secret - A Great Backstory Technique
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WriterStrong | Writing Craft
Readers are smart. Smarter than we authors give them credit for. They get where we’re going way before we think they do. I think that’s why it’s so hard to give them an ending that will shock them.
I mean, think of the books you've read.… Read the post
January 5th, 2015
7 Tips for Balancing Backstory
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Blogging Guests | Writing Craft
Shannon Donnelly
Backstory—the background needed to enrich a story—is one of those things that can drive any writer nuts. How much is too much? When do you reveal more? When do you hold back? Too much backstory can sink a story—because you’re not moving the story forward.… Read the post
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