tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post6508379977035471425..comments2024-03-29T00:35:40.557-04:00Comments on Author, Jody Hedlund: Backstory Problems & How to Overcome ThemJody Hedlundhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-41707781717984894412011-08-17T01:26:30.604-04:002011-08-17T01:26:30.604-04:00Your post really helped me to understand this.It h...Your post really helped me to understand this.It has great details and yet it is easy to understand.That's what i was looking for.I will definitely share it with others.Thanks for sharing.Buy Essay Papershttp://www.essaysale.com/buy-essay-papers.aspxnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-74915760351095852942011-03-28T12:15:22.906-04:002011-03-28T12:15:22.906-04:00Hi Jody! I completely agree on the little by littl...Hi Jody! I completely agree on the little by little method of sharing the MC's backstory. As a reader, I like being kept in the dark about the character because it makes the "reveal" at the end much more climatic. <br /><br />Thanks for sharing a great post!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-43839403313655803592011-03-25T15:58:41.251-04:002011-03-25T15:58:41.251-04:00I am a huge fan of backstory and generally keep tw...I am a huge fan of backstory and generally keep two documents up at once. One is to keep adding to the character rap sheet and the other is for the project itself. Works for me! Great post, Jody :)BookGeekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05620998836239969062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-19785065064043391992011-03-24T12:39:39.466-04:002011-03-24T12:39:39.466-04:00Wow, sometimes I love writing the back story more ...Wow, sometimes I love writing the back story more than the book! I fall madly in love with my characters and want to discover everything I can about them. Once I get into the groove of writing his or her back story, the character takes over and leads me. <br /><br />The only trouble is when I find juicy tidbits in the back story, I'm desperate to put them into the novel and they don't always fit!Tart and Soulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05778685047307590457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-89236879705317826452011-03-24T08:40:23.552-04:002011-03-24T08:40:23.552-04:00The Graces books, readers know a lot about VK, and...The Graces books, readers know a lot about VK, and I hope it is weaved in and through the books. I can see with the first book where I could have left out even more words.<br /><br />However, with Sweetie, I deleted deleted deleted and left a lot to mystery and it worked better than if I'd have kept in those chapters explaining a lot about Melissa. It was a risk, but it paid off.<br /><br />Always wonderful posts here that I enjoy!Kathryn Magendiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12863595228298349863noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-49433146050062664902011-03-24T01:57:04.451-04:002011-03-24T01:57:04.451-04:00Thank you for the brilliant post Jody. I don't...Thank you for the brilliant post Jody. I don't know whether it is a wise thing to do or not but I have pushed the back story that appeared in my first chapter to the third chapter.Lingchen Dorjihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08600906601917534621noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-9798139918953812512011-03-23T19:59:59.287-04:002011-03-23T19:59:59.287-04:00When I read the blog, I felt that I actually did s...When I read the blog, I felt that I actually did something right. I thank you for posting this, as I have always worried whether I have put enough details of my MC's past life in. I have woven it through the story, only a glimpse in the first chapter; just enough, as you say, for the reader to get an understanding of why my character is, the way she is.<br />Brilliant post! Thank you so much!Emma Cooperhttp://www.emmajanecooper.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-83234155173485047062011-03-23T17:06:21.413-04:002011-03-23T17:06:21.413-04:00When I started planning my novel, I thought a lot ...When I started planning my novel, I thought a lot about what I like in my fiction entertainment (tv and movies in addition to books). And one of the things I put on the list is complex, slowly revealed backstory. I love characters that clearly have something going on under the surface, along with a writer who can reveal that in a skillful way.Julie Nilsonhttp://julienilson.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-86806556203802971362011-03-23T16:38:41.859-04:002011-03-23T16:38:41.859-04:00Jody, I strongly agree with your iceberg theory. ...Jody, I strongly agree with your iceberg theory. When reading a novel, I love for little details to drip, drip, drip through the story. As for my own writing, I've learned not to do an info dump, and I hope I'm dripping well too!Julie Musilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02150454913885915017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-44699427990830859602011-03-23T16:35:31.839-04:002011-03-23T16:35:31.839-04:00Yet another great and timely post. I've been ...Yet another great and timely post. I've been working on a new draft of my novel with an eye for deeper character development and have learned so much about my characters. I learned my MC is struggling to recreate for himself the stable home he grew up in, now that his dad has Alzheimer's. I learned that he didn't move to Indiana until the 5th grade--I never knew that! I understand him so much more now, and I thought I had a good beat on him already. <br /><br />I'm off to check out your character chart!Michelle Massarohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12841001797112425917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-52649717389342757982011-03-23T16:27:03.091-04:002011-03-23T16:27:03.091-04:00Wow--that question stuck with you for a while! And...Wow--that question stuck with you for a while! And a fantastic post---backstory isn't a topic lots of people are willing to tackle, because it is so subjective.<br /><br />I'm always interested to find out how other authors do it, because I've had to figure out how to do it in books that are part of a series but basically stand-alones as well as a series that's a continuing story throughout all three books.<br /><br />I'm one of those authors who needs to know as much as possible about my characters before I sit down to write---otherwise I find myself working out the characters' backstories on the page---and I know that doesn't make for interesting reading. <br /><br />I can't remember off the top of my head if it was Don Maass or Sol Stein who wrote that backstory is more interesting to the writer than to the reader. That's always top of mind for me when I re-read my manuscript in the revision process. That and determining if I'm revealing info about the characters too early . . . I like stringing my readers along. :-)Kaye Dacushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04187774900100851982noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-57849976147627460662011-03-23T15:25:07.780-04:002011-03-23T15:25:07.780-04:00Ken asked: "If an agent sees backstory at the...Ken asked: "If an agent sees backstory at the beginning, will they stop reading before they even get to the main part? Just wondering how things are done these days."<br /><br />My Answer: Another great question today, Ken! If the story is gripping enough and well-told, I don't think backstory will stop an agent or publisher. They may ask you to cut it during an edit, but if you capture them with your story, they can overlook some of the other issues that may need revising.<br /><br />However, often, backstory dumps in the first chapter are the signs of an amatuer writer. I'm currently judging a national fiction-writing contest for unpublished writers. When I see backstory dumps in an entry, I usually end up seeing other story-problems too. <br /><br />In other words, I think agents will be able to tell overall if your writing skills are strong enough and your story good enough, no matter how much or how little backstory you include.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-68454101522084833822011-03-23T15:12:26.512-04:002011-03-23T15:12:26.512-04:00I'm facing this very issue right now in my WIP...I'm facing this very issue right now in my WIP. Ugh. Like you said, there's multiple ways to approach backstory; but I love your suggestions. Thank you for sharing your experience! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37612711952502838612011-03-23T14:58:00.637-04:002011-03-23T14:58:00.637-04:00Hi Everyone! Thanks for adding your insights into ...Hi Everyone! Thanks for adding your insights into the conversation today! I learn so much every day from all of your comments!Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-50171384268510521782011-03-23T14:38:55.019-04:002011-03-23T14:38:55.019-04:00This was a wonderful post! As a reader, I don'...This was a wonderful post! As a reader, I don't like feeling like I'm ready back-story. However, I do find myself wondering a lot about it...I love it when authors weave in enough that I don't wonder. I felt like Despicable Me left a lot of un-answered questions, but I watched it expecting a story. If I had been expecting a comedy show I would have been perfectly happy, but that's just me. ;) <br /><br />CarlaCarlahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15380048190884905579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-14902899243646541142011-03-23T14:22:04.976-04:002011-03-23T14:22:04.976-04:00As always Jody, your advice is well worth the time...As always Jody, your advice is well worth the time to read, and review. This one in particular helped me answer a few questions I already had about backstory. I know in my own work so far I have added a considerable amount of backstory, but when I'm done with it, I have a clearer picture of what should stay and what should go. <br />Another piece of advice that I had given to me long ago was that, "the parts you must cut are never really gone, just put away for later use elsewhere". <br />For now, I'm just having fun putting it all out there, though once I'm through and the story is complete, the time will come for a 'leaner' tale!<br />Thank you too for the character sketch worksheets. Great details to consider before you begin any story!Amarissa Amber Calehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00929538506124933762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-42689680199089410272011-03-23T13:50:57.743-04:002011-03-23T13:50:57.743-04:00Jody,
I agree, we don't need backstory as oft...Jody,<br /><br />I agree, we don't need backstory as often as we think. I love the idea of weaving in details about a character throughout the story, in a subtle yet specific way that reveals their personality. And, saving backstory for those "life-shaping events," as you say, helps prevent us from overusing that technique.Christi Craighttp://writingunderpressure.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-37390587334760689982011-03-23T13:36:10.666-04:002011-03-23T13:36:10.666-04:00Thanks for your response, Jody. I understand your...Thanks for your response, Jody. I understand your point about it being all about writing a great story, but as a first time writer, I'm concerned about the process of querying agents. If an agent sees backstory at the beginning, will they stop reading before they even get to the main part? Just wondering how things are done these days.Chemist Kenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09738272332470397248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-39039613847981207772011-03-23T13:06:44.227-04:002011-03-23T13:06:44.227-04:00Where did I read wait until page 50to introduce ba...Where did I read wait until page 50to introduce backstory. Hmm. I'll be thinking on that one.<br /><br />I'm writing a post for the Alley on this tomorrow. Heck maybe I'll just link here. (No worries, Alley folk, I will write the post.)<br /><br />One of my favorite things about writing is getting to know my characters. I take months before I even write my first word. Also helps with where to start the work.<br /><br />~ WendyWendy Paine Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15136235074351188350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-56346917207375549542011-03-23T12:48:34.958-04:002011-03-23T12:48:34.958-04:00Like you, I tend to develop very elaborate backsto...Like you, I tend to develop very elaborate backstories for my characters, but do not use all of this information, I liked your reference to acting. since I am also a playwright and director, this is exactly what an actor should do in order to 'find' their character. it's all about motivation. If we want our characters to come across as beleivable and authentic, we must know something of their history, BUT there is nothing worse (when reading) than getting bombarded with all the details. Boring! Great post, Jody.Tracy Krausshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05066853243062725525noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-78253945715237859122011-03-23T12:46:10.578-04:002011-03-23T12:46:10.578-04:00This is timely as I take another pass at my contra...This is timely as I take another pass at my contracted novella today to try and shave off the last 6,000. I've already hit the delete on a few sentences on the first page of character motivation which could pass as backstory. And I'll be mindful as this today while I'm in the trenches!Gina Conroyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13647753231391009981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-81743918279620030242011-03-23T12:42:30.415-04:002011-03-23T12:42:30.415-04:00Great breakdown. When I first started writing I be...Great breakdown. When I first started writing I began with prologues to set up the story. Then pretty much all of my readers actually said they never read the prologues. So I asked myself why is it necessary? It is so much more relevant and engrossing if those tidbits are revealed throughout the story. Info-dumping is never good, especially when today's attention spans are so short.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046515540256155412noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-80293735836122491982011-03-23T12:14:54.367-04:002011-03-23T12:14:54.367-04:00Great post Jody. I've referred several people ...Great post Jody. I've referred several people to your blog just because of that character worksheet. It's an amazing tool within and even better writing source, your blog. However, here is my problem I start out doing the character stuff and then get all excited and then I end up just writing without finishing the worksheet. LOL I'm a panster with intentions to be a planner.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07707709087040036470noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-67720123791602059872011-03-23T12:12:59.179-04:002011-03-23T12:12:59.179-04:00Back story dumps don't bother me because I'...Back story dumps don't bother me because I'm an information person, always seeking out more and more. I love to read nonfiction for the same reason. I also appreciate background that doesn't necessarily move the book along, but is simply fascinating, curious, or beautiful. On the other hand, though, I can tell the difference between well-written back story and badly-written back story. If it's not done seamlessly, it jars me. It's like your first commenter said--it must be woven into the fabric of the novel.Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05536293384635588296noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8539581256374625880.post-54842972937752642342011-03-23T11:59:15.756-04:002011-03-23T11:59:15.756-04:00Hi Ken,
Of course STORY always trumps everything....Hi Ken,<br /><br />Of course STORY always trumps everything. If a writer has an incredibly unique, gripping, and saleable story, readers can forgive some of the backstory dumps that may creep in. And I suppose if the backstory is apart of the "story voice" and is told in an entertaining fashion, then we can also tolerate it better.<br /><br />We can probably also look to classics and find a lot of backstory in the first chapters. And while they're classics, they're also difficult for the average modern reader to digest.<br /><br />Therefore, I think the majority of us simply can't afford to start with a significant amount of backstory and hope to keep our reader's attention. I personally believe we have to look at the overall patterns of what makes <b>most</b> fiction commercially viable, but then also write from the heart.Jody Hedlundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12424307540530719614noreply@blogger.com