B - Backstory/Flashback

Today we have the second letter in our series "The Young Christian Writer's ABCs".

Thank you so much, Ana Belen, for writing it! Be sure to comment, everyone!! ;)

Let me know if you'd like to write a post for the series! -Cari

**************

B- Backstory/Flashback

by Ana Belen

First off, let’s define what a backstory is.

Backstory:

Noun 1.    1. A history or background created for a fictional character in a motion picture or television program. 2.    2. Similar background information about a real person or thing that promotes fuller understanding of it.

Now, when writing, there are several ways to use a backstory. I have seen authors feel an obligation to add some information in, but do so very unimaginatively, making it boring, and ruining their work.

An example of this would be throwing blunt, hard facts at the reader in the middle of the plot, interrupting the flow of the storyline, and confusing the reader.

Another example on how not to use a backstory would be to give a skimp summary of the character’s life at the beginning of the book. Basically, ‘here is the character, reader… Got it? O.K., moving on!’

Both of the above examples can affect the way your work is received by the readers, and their over-all enjoyment of the story.

What I suggest is: Be creative! Think of ways to explain your character that perhaps no author has every thought of!

A few suggestions on innovative writing of backstories (In no particular order):

§  Mystery: Don’t tell the readers anything about who the character is. The readers won’t know the motive of its actions. Yet, give them tiny clues to keep them intrigued. Then, at the climax/conclusion, his/her true colors are revealed! [Example: in the book,The Thief, -which I don’t recommend- you meet the character in a prison cell. Basically, he was summoned to steal back something on behalf of his kingdom. You follow him on his journey to the enemy kingdom. He finds the precious gem, but… gives it to the enemy queen! He was actually the Royal Thief for the other country!]

§  Flashback: If the book is in first person, the MC may recall things throughout the story, perhaps to help it make decisions, but also giving information to the reader. Maybe you build up questions in the readers mind, mysteries. When suddenly, the MC relates everything, solving questions but not the plot… [Example: The Mysterious Benedict Society: The Prisoner’s Dilemma. This is the third book in this series. All leading up to it, you have been wondering about the backstory of one MC. Just when this info is needed most, however, the reader is rewarded with the history, his enjoyment, and the fulfillment of the plot!]

§  Intro Story: In some stories, much information is needed for the story’s foundation. If so, have fun with it! Don’t feel like you have to go through a lot of boring introduction before you get to the ‘actual story’, but make it a story in itself! Maybe you will tell about the MC’s past by giving an account from an arbitrary character in the beginning, whose presence has a secret impact on the story. Or perhaps the intro will be about the MC’s parents, to give the historical background necessary. YOU DECIDE! [Example: Beyond the Summerland has a story at the beginning which appears to be the story for the whole book, but is actually the story of the MC’s ancestors! It was written so well, I enjoyed it as much as the true storyline!]

§  One MC in the Dark: You may wish to write a story with more than one MC. As with one story I am currently in the process of creating, there are two MCs. I alternate from which viewpoint the story is. The readers know the backstory of each character, ( as revealed to them throughout the book from the respective character’s perspective.) but they are still in suspense, because the characters must discover these facts for themselves, creating, suspicion, tension, confusion, and eventually, treachery! …Or was it?

§  Come up with your own creative ideas on how to involve the backstory as the most interesting part of weaving together your story!