Too many beginning writers make one big mistake -- loading their first scene, first chapter, first quarter of the book with way too much backstory. They feel that the reader won't understand their protagonist, their plot, their world, unless they TELL ALL upfront. However, this usually deadens the forward movement, the energy of the story, and leaves the reader without any urgent mystery to propel them onward.
One of the most important mysteries you should be pushing your reader to discover is the compelling backstory you’ve withheld. Think about JKR. Her masterful withholding of backstory -- what actually happened in Godric's Hollow, which side was Snape truly on, and why did Voldemort want to kill a one-year-old baby -- is the energy that thrust the reader not only through the first book, but the next several to come as well.
One huge reason Harry Potter was such a phenomenal success was due to JKR's witholding of backstory. She did not release it until her readers were beyond dying to know!
When unloading backstory, at least in the beginning of your story, less is more. Withhold as much as possible without leaving your reader confused. Explain just enough to have the current action make sense but to keep a question pushing your reader onward. Then, dribble the backstory in as necessary, in bits and pieces, carefully woven in. Preferably, release enticing nougats in dramatic ways and only after the reader's curiosity is at a fever pitch.
For some specific examples of what backstory JKR used and what she withheld, I'm working on an upcoming post that breaks apart the first chapter of Sorcerer's/Philosopher's Stone with all its strengths and weaknesses. But for now, have you had to revise out too much backstory in one of your manuscripts? How did you do it?
You just answered a burning question in my mind about what I'm doing wrong in my WIP.
ReplyDeleteThank you for this! :-)
Thank you October! So glad it was of some help. :-)
ReplyDeleteI usually have the opposite problem of too much backstory and have to count on my crit partners to tell me they need more! Paranoid, I guess. I introduced my daughter to your blog last night. She was pretty excited. ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, Laura, thanks so much for telling your daughter about my blog! I've also had the problem of withholding too much info, not limited to backstory. I think I've had it hammered into my head so often that I get paranoid, but then readers get confused. Have to remember the balance. :-)
ReplyDeleteBecause we know the whole story when we're writing, it's often too easy to leave out important facts. A second set of eyes, pristine to the story, is often needed to tell us which parts of the picture we forgot to paint.
ReplyDeleteGreat post as always!! JK is not your average example of backstory IMHO! She has LEVELS of backstory, and they are all so delicious, we want her to peel them back so we can peak inside. One could argue that the whole set up at the Dursley's is backstory. But it's also so darn entertaining that - well - who cares? :D How to do it? My best advice is to drip it in slowly throughout and only what's needed. There are things you as the author may know that the reader may never need to find out.
ReplyDeleteEvery time we were treated to backstory by JKR it was like opening your Christmas presents from Santa.
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