A few further thoughts on backstory, and some really conflicting information >>>>> -- Ladies of Lallybroch Literary Forum

Sunday, June 14, 09:18:31am [ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 16:13:20 10/25/09 Sun
Author:

Page
Subject: A few further thoughts on backstory, and some really conflicting information >>>>>
In reply to: Page 's message, "Backstory. Bah humbug." on 15:05:54 10/20/09 Tue

*Note: I was going to post links to the websites I referenced below, but Voy still has a stick up its ass about blogs, flagging them as spam, so I'm afraid if you want to see them, you'll have to Google them. Sorry about that!

The more I read about how to write a book, the more I realize there's no one way to do it. Now, too much backstory is going to bog down a book, and too little is going to leave a reader frustrated. And even if you get the right amount in there, if it's not shown correctly, you're still going to flop with it.

However.

Dea's examples pointed out two excellent ways to introduce backstory -- through one character's thoughts and reflections, and through dialogue between two characters as they reveal bits of their past to each other. Susiej's earlier post about Rose's birth showed another way, by having unrelated characters discuss a certain situation. In all three examples, though, there was one thing that stood out -- the reader was left with piqued interest, wanting to know more. I think my biggest hurdle is knowing when to stop, so I leave the reader wanting more. Since I know about Katie's childhood, and I know about Jay's early days in the music business, it's hard for me to recognize when I've overloaded the reader. But I'm working on that, and y'all have SO helped me with this! Thank you all!

But back to the "right" way to write a book. Agent Rachelle Gardner recently posted a "back to basics" blog after she'd judged an online First 250 words contest. One of the basics she pointed out in her blog was that there should be no backstory in the beginning of a book. Say what? I'd never heard that before. In fact, I can't name a book off the top of my head that doesn't contain any backstory in the beginning. Probably because I don't think I'd read a book that had no information about what was going on. I don't care for books that start in medias res, because I want to feel a connection with the character. I think backstory gives that connection, and I can't imagine not having any backstory in the beginning. And here's the kicker: that First 250 words contest? It was at Authoress Anonymous, and the winning entry was nothing but backstory! The first 250 words of what I think is going to be a brilliant book is nothing but backstory.

To further muddy the waters, Agent Nathan Bransford recently ran a First Paragraph contest, and the winning entry there contained backstory. Not just in the first 250 words, but in the very first paragraph!

So what do y'all think? Should backstory be left out of the beginning of a book? Based on these two winners (both of which were chosen by agents!) I say "no."

Thoughts?

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> [> I'm with you Page -- Debi, 16:47:50 10/25/09 Sun

I like a first paragraph that drops a person into the story, but gives enough information that makes you want to learn more about this person. In medias res can work sometimes, but to much bopping back and forth between the past, the present and the future (Anne Rice, are you listening?;-) gets under my skin and irritates the crap out of me. I want a beginning that engages me and makes me want to know more, but doesn't leave me confused as to what is going on and who is who.

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[ Edit | View ]

[> [> It is frustrating Page. A very well known agent just recently gave a talk>>> --

susiej, 20:05:50 10/26/09 Mon

challenging authors not to put in backstory for the first 50 pgs. Yet, his best known client, begins his series with a 60 year old man telling us he's writing his story- (that's backstory right there) he goes into the story of a battle- within a few pages backtracks to tell us how he met the commander.
By the time he finishes that huge passage set on another continent, and goes back to that first battle sequence, I was like- what? where are we? And I am a very patient reader. I don't have to be grabbed right away. But the ENTIRE first 50 pages was nothing but bactracking backstory.
It makes me want to scream- get off your highhorse dude!

[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
[ Edit | View ]