Backstory

Backstory is a character's history--the things that made her who she is and affects what she does in the novel. It's a common trouble spot for many writers, because it often stops the story to explain some bit of history to the reader. In most cases, backstory can be cut or revised for more impact and better story flow.

Most agents recommend eliminating all backstory from the first 50 pages of a novel. However, if done well, backstory can be a useful tool for developing both a character and a world.

More information about backstory

• Dealing With Backstory in Your Novel
• Revealing a Character's Past Without Falling Into Backstory
• Making Backstory Work for You

See all articles on backstory

Related topics: characters, infodumps, show vs tell