Backstory: It’s not all bad when it’s done well.
I’m going to say something you probably haven’t heard in writing classes before. Backstory is absolutely necessary to your book. But if done badly, it can ruin your book and keep your readers from ever reading past the first few pages.
What is backstory?
Backstory is everything that has happened to your characters before they appear in your book. You need to know this for every POV character. In particular, you need to know what their deepest wound is, how it happened, what events have reinforced that worldview, and how they are functioning in the world to protect that wound. You’ll also want to know what their happiest moment has been, because there will be a drive for them to recreate that moment, or a complete sense of hopelessness that it can never be recreated.
The tipping point
Up until your character appears on page, she has been living her life protecting her wound in a certain way. But within a few pages of your book opening, something happens that makes it impossible for her to continue living life the way she has been. This is often known as the inciting incident. She’ll spend most of the story fighting against this change. After all, life had been going along okay so far. Not great, but good enough. But we the reader know that if she’ll just give in to the change, she’ll be able to heal her wound and possibly reach that happiest moment she longs for.
All of that comes from the backstory. Think about when you get to know a person. You don’t dump your whole life story on them. In fact, some of the most painful events of your life take a long time to come out (usually the second half of Act II). But when you are living fully in your character’s skin, that uneasiness they feel, that protectiveness of their wound will all come out in the words they say, the choices they make, the things they do.
How to do it right
From the beginning pages, there should be a sense that all is not as it should be. That your character’s way of handling things might be fraying around the edges. Or something new happens that her old way of handling things just doesn’t allow for. We as the reader don’t have to know why this is happening. Figuring that out will keep us turning the pages. But you absolutely must know the emotional basis for why she does what she does. Everything that occurs in the plot has to tie back to that emotional basis.
FAQ: Backstory in Fiction Writing
What is backstory in fiction writing?
Backstory is everything that happened to a character before the events of the story begin. It includes their experiences, relationships, successes, failures, fears, beliefs, and emotional wounds that influence how they respond to events in the present story.
Why is backstory important?
Backstory helps readers understand why characters make certain decisions, react emotionally to situations, and struggle with specific challenges. Strong backstory creates believable motivations and deeper emotional connections with readers.
What is a character wound?
A character wound is a painful emotional experience from the past that continues to influence a character’s beliefs and behavior. These wounds often shape the character’s fears, coping mechanisms, and relationships throughout the story.
How does backstory affect plot?
The best plots grow naturally from a character’s backstory. A character’s emotional wounds, fears, and desires influence the choices they make, which in turn drives the story’s conflict and progression.
What is the relationship between backstory and the inciting incident?
The inciting incident is the event that disrupts the character’s normal life and forces them to confront the emotional issues rooted in their backstory. It creates pressure that makes old coping mechanisms ineffective.
How much backstory should be included in a novel?
Only include the amount of backstory necessary for readers to understand the character’s motivations and emotional journey. Most backstory should be revealed gradually through actions, dialogue, reactions, and carefully timed revelations.
When should readers learn a character’s backstory?
Readers do not need to know everything immediately. In fact, revealing backstory slowly creates intrigue and encourages readers to keep turning pages. Often, the deepest wounds and most significant past events are revealed later in the story.
What is the biggest mistake writers make with backstory?
One of the most common mistakes is front-loading large amounts of exposition at the beginning of a story. Dumping too much backstory too soon slows pacing and prevents readers from becoming invested in the present-day story.
How can writers reveal backstory naturally?
Show backstory through character choices, emotional reactions, dialogue, internal thoughts, relationships, and conflicts. Let readers discover pieces of the character’s past as the story unfolds.
How does backstory create emotional depth?
Backstory explains the emotional stakes behind a character’s actions. When readers understand what a character fears losing—or desperately hopes to gain—they become more emotionally invested in the outcome.
Can every major character have a backstory?
Yes. Every important character should have a backstory, especially POV characters. Understanding their emotional wounds, motivations, and defining experiences helps create authentic and consistent behavior.
How does backstory help prevent flat characters?
Backstory adds layers of complexity. Instead of reacting to situations randomly, characters respond based on their past experiences, making them feel more realistic and memorable.
