BLOG.CHERYLRENEEHERBSMAN.COM: Friday Five: Back story

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Friday Five: Back story

I've been working on back story quite a bit this week for my new work-in-progress. Sometimes at workshops, aspiring writers ask about back story, "Why bother?" They want to move forward, get editable words on the page. As long as you have the back story in your head, why write it out?

There are a variety of answers to this question, the most obvious being that it enriches the story. Plus, just like with writing the front story, when I sit down and write the back story, all sorts of surprises happen. Maybe I knew the general idea of this piece of back story, but once I start writing it, other pieces I wasn't aware of are revealed. Also, when I work on back story, I might write it from different characters' perspectives, so I get a more omniscient view of what actually happened and how each character perceived it. Sometimes back story can even clue you in to the key to the whole mystery of the work. So here are five ways to help you get started writing back story:

1. What is your main character's (or a key supporting character's) earliest or most viivid memory?

2. What incident in your character's past was instrumental in creating the person he/she is today?

3. Write the scene that shows how your mc's parents met. You want the parents to be real people, not just adult furniture in the background of your mc's life. Take the time to find out who they are.

4. What family history impinges on the front story you're telling.

5. Look through your manuscript, find places where you mention anything from the character's past. Then, take the time to write out that scene upon which he/she is reflecting. Know what really happened. And notice which parts of it your character shows, which parts he/she hides, which parts left emotional marks.

These are just a few suggestions to get you started. The key is to remember that every word you write about these characters "counts" and every minute you spend with them enriches your story, regardless of whether or not it adds to your word count for the week. Go play with your characters, it'll be worth it, I promise!

Wishing all of you some of this gorgeous weather we've been having in the Bay Area! Happy weekend!