Asked by: Rosemary Carlton

How do you handle backstory?

Backstory should always be “triggered” by something that’s happening in the present moment of a scene. [06:00] Tip #2: Avoid info-dumping at all costs.
Backstory Best Practices

1. Only insert backstory where it’s relevant. …
2. Avoid “info-dumping” at all costs. …
3. Always show the reader why the backstory matters.

Can you start a novel with backstory?

Because the answers are part of the novel’s backstory. Backstory refers to the characters’ history and other story elements that underlie the situation at the start of the book. Backstory helps to establish the setting and makes the reader care about what happens to the characters.

How do you write an original backstory?

5 Tips for Writing an Original Story

1. Use your life as inspiration. Your life is unique, as are your specific experiences. …
2. Plan your character development. …
3. Outline your main plot points. …
4. Change the context. …
5. Cross genres.

Should every character have a backstory?

Not every character needs a backstory. Many minor characters in fiction only need to appear consistent with their context and the purpose they have in the narrative.

How do you get a good OC personality?

8 Tips for Character Development

1. Establish a character’s motivations and goals. …
2. Choose a voice. …
3. Do a slow reveal. …
4. Create conflict. …
5. Give important characters a backstory. …
6. Describe a character’s personality in familiar terms. …
7. Paint a physical picture of your characters. …
8. Develop secondary characters.

What makes a good backstory?

Make sure backstory details are relevant.

When writing backstory for a new character, it can be tempting to include every bit of personal history that seems funny or interesting. However, focus on backstory that directly informs the plot points and conflicts that your character experiences in the main story.

Are backstories necessary?

We often struggle with figuring out how much backstory to include, yet it’s an important element to get right. As I pointed out last time, too much backstory slows the pace, can feel irrelevant, and lead to repetition. Too little backstory can leave readers in the dark about characters’ motivations.

What is a good sentence to start a story?

There was a secret meeting in the morning and she absolutely had to be there. There was something about a music box that always made me think of home… I opened my eyes and had no idea where I was… He was heading back to the one place he hoped he’d never have to see again.

How do I start my story?

Here are the steps for how to start a story:

1. Write a strong opening sentence.
2. Connect the readers and character.
3. Produce intrigue.
4. Elicit an emotion in your story.
5. Start your story with a strong visual snapshot.
6. Write a compelling first paragraph.
7. Leave a hint.
8. End the first chapter on a cliffhanger.

Does backstory matter?

Backstory is a crucial part of any book because it’s what creates a broader view of your story, a deeper context. In many respects, backstory is what will bring your characters to life and convince readers they’re living, breathing people who have a dimensional existence even outside of the story itself.

How do you write an OC?

You should start with a concept, personality, or backstory, and make your character’s appearance based on that. Don’t try and rush the creative process! If you can’t decide on something, give it time. Not all OCs were made in a day – in fact, redesigning and adding new features on is part of having an OC!

How long should a character backstory be?

How long should your backstory be? Aim to keep your backstory between 300-500 words. If you want to go the extra mile, add a shorter summary of under 300 characters so that you can quickly explain your character in a few sentences.

How do you show not a backstory?

How To Show & Not Tell In Short Stories

1. Express emotion as action:
2. Choose a viewpoint character: By choosing one character to focus on you make it easier for yourself to simplify your scene and make the most of it. …
3. Use the senses: …
4. Be specific: …
5. Avoid these ‘telling’ words: is, are, was, were, have, had.
6. Use dialogue:

What’s the difference between background and backstory?

So, the main difference between Backstory and Background is that Backstory is directly tied to the essential growth and development of the story’s storyform, while Background provides an environment within which the characters have individual, historical contexts as an aspect of the story’s storytelling.

What is another word for backstory?

In this page you can discover 3 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for backstory, like: plotline, back-story and subplot.

How do you write a backstory to a villain?

4 Tips for Writing a Great Villain in Your Novel

1. Choose a real-life model. Find a real person to model your villain after. …
2. Put yourself in their shoes. When it’s time for your villain to act, put yourself in their place. …
3. Consider their motivation. …
4. Introduce a villain with a bang.

Who is the baddest villain of all time?

The Greatest Villains Of All Time

1. Darth Vader. The Star Wars trilogy (1977-1983) Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge Of The Sith (2005), Rogue One (2016)
2. The Joker. Batman (1966), Batman (1989), The Dark Knight (2008), Joker (2019) …
3. Loki. …
4. Hans Gruber. …
5. Hannibal Lecter. …
6. Hans Landa. …
7. Kylo Ren. …
8. Anton Chigurh. …

How can I make my villain intimidated?

Hopefully, these tips will help you do just that.

1. Give the villain strength where the main character is weak.
2. Leave mystery for audiences to feel the fear of the unknown.
3. Don’t give the villain’s motives away at first.
4. Make the villain’s horrible acts hollow to the main character.
5. Defeat your main character.

How do you redeem an evil character?

5 Simple Rules for Redeeming a Fictional Villain

1. Step #1: Be Villainous… but not too villainous.
2. Step #2: A hint of something more.
3. Step #3: The turn.
4. Step #4: The right partner.
5. Step #5: Final Redemption.
6. No villain will be truly redeemed without the accumulation of their story arc.

What is an arc villain?

The Super-Trope to Filler Villain, an Arc Villain serves as the antagonist for one Story Arc, having an Evil Plan to threaten the heroes.

Who has the best redemption arc?

10 TV Characters With The Best Redemption Arc

1. 1 Zuko (Avatar: The Last Airbender)
2. 2 Steve Harrington (Stranger Things) …
3. 3 Spike (Buffy The Vampire Slayer) …
4. 4 The Hound (Game Of Thrones) …
5. 5 Villanelle (Killing Eve) …
6. 6 Theon Greyjoy (Game Of Thrones) …
7. 7 Michael (The Good Place) …
8. 8 Alexis Rose (Schitt’s Creek) …

Are redemption arcs good?

Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, incorporating a redemption arc can be a beneficial way to make your story relatable. After all, just as all humans have flaws, characters should be flawed as well. A redemption arc is not possible without something to redeem.

Why is redemption hard?

Redemption arcs are so hard because nobody can decide what redemption means. This isn’t so much a rant as it is an observation. There’s a lot of grief about redemption arcs. It seems like nobody can do them ‘right’ outside of a couple select examples.

What is a disillusionment arc?

In a Disillusionment arc, your character experiences a series of conflicts that hint at their tragic Truth. But instead of facing this Truth, your character clings to the comfort of their Lie. In a Fall arc, this series of conflicts sees your character’s Lie act as an obstacle in their pursuit of a goal or resolution.

Whats the opposite of redemption arc?

A corruption arc is essentially the opposite of a redemption arc, and it is actually equally great because it proves to the viewers and readers that not even the most good-hearted people remain perfect.

How do you turn a hero into a villain?

Turning A Villain Into A Hero

1. First, you present the villain in all their awfulness. …
2. Second, give the villain’s point of view. …
3. Third, show a redeeming quality or two that still exists within the villain. …
4. Fourth, present someone even worse than they are. …
5. Fifth, the villain starts making choices that make him a hero.

How do you make a protagonist villain?

How to Write a Villain Protagonist in 6 Steps

1. Mix character traits. …
2. Keep the stakes high. …
3. Use internal monologue. …
4. Understand the character’s morality. …
5. Build the backstory. …
6. Consider your antagonist.

What’s a redemption story?

The Redemption story is probably the story you think of when you think of the Morality Genre. When written well, audiences love it. This story stands the test of time. The protagonist starts low and ends high.

How do you redeem yourself?

How to Forgive Yourself

1. Focus on your emotions. …
2. Acknowledge the mistake out loud. …
3. Think of each mistake as a learning experience. …
4. Give yourself permission to put this process on hold. …
5. Have a conversation with your inner critic. …
6. Notice when you are being self-critical. …
7. Quiet the negative messages of your inner critic.

How do you do redemption?

How the Four-Step Process of Redemption Can Guide Us Toward Positive Change

1. by Hanna Perlberger. …
2. “I shall take you out from under the burdens.” …
3. Commit to stopping. …
4. “I shall rescue you.” …
5. Avoid temptation and come up with an if/then strategy. …
6. “I shall redeem you.” …
7. Look under the hood. …
8. “I shall take you to Me for a people.”