Backstory often gets blamed for slowing a novel down. Writers are told to cut it, sprinkle it lightly, or avoid it altogether.
But here’s the truth: the wrong backstory, delivered the wrong way, at the wrong time is the problem.
Used with intention, backstory can reveal the wounds and desires that drive your character, raise the stakes, and transform an ordinary scene into one that lingers with readers.
In this episode, I’ll share:
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3 powerful ways to use backstory so it deepens, rather than derails, your story
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How to spot when your backstory is drowning out the narrative
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A simple technique to keep time jumps clear and seamless for your reader
Whether your draft is overloaded with flashbacks or you’re struggling to weave in your character’s past, this episode will help you use backstory as the tool it’s meant to be.
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Episode at a glance:
[02:30] Weave Backstory Through Triggers In The Present
The best backstory doesn’t drop in randomly. It’s triggered by what’s happening in the now of the story. A smell, a place, a situation, a sight, a person – anything can crack open the door to memory. The past feels alive because it’s emotionally tied to the present. There should be a dialogue between the past and the present. So they’re posing different questions.
[03:57] Deliver Backstory In Small Emotional Bursts
Readers don’t want the info dump. We just want glimpses, emotional bursts that add texture without slowing the pace. Reveal backstory in short, vivid snippets instead of long explanations.
[05:24] Frame Backstory As Revelation, Not Information
Instead of using backstory to explain to the reader, use it to reveal your character. When a piece of the past comes to light that changes how we see the character or how they see themselves, it’s no longer filler. It’s a turning point. Use backstory to reframe the journey or deepen the conflict. Make sure it sparks a new choice or shifts the character’s path.
Links Mentioned In This Episode:
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
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