To end the year, I’ve decided to spotlight my top 10 blog posts from 2014. I went into my stats page and looked up those articles, stories, and other published pieces that had the most number of views. Some surprised me, others did not.
We’re almost there! Here’s #2: How Do You Share Backstory Information
This is a post that blew up a couple of weeks after I posted it. I still remember opening up my blog to write an article and gasping in surprise when I saw my stats. They were booming out of control! I laughed when I saw the article drawing so much attention. It wasn’t one I’d published recently–at all. But, I guess that’s what’s so cool about social media, huh? One person can get a hold of an article on your blog and boom! It takes off.
So if you missed this popular Twitter Treasure Thursday, here you go!
Welcome to Twitter Treasure Thursday! So, as I’ve been revising my manuscript, I’ve been trying to figure out how to slip in background details about my characters and the world they live in–you know, tell the reader about the main events and conflicts that have led them to where they are now. Of course, there is the wicked temptation to dump all the information on the reader in one foul swoop, or even squeeze it all into a prologue. But many consider those big no-no’s.
So then how should writers present the backstory? How do we slip those necessary details in without committing a writing sin or boring the reader?
Well, today’s gem addresses this issue. Autumn M. Bart (@Weifarer) tweeted an article from the blog Guild of Dreams: Backstory.
How much backstory should I spoon feed my readers?
I belong to a large online writers’ critique group, and I see this question posted almost weekly. Every fantasy and sci-fi writer in the group hops on the thread and gives advice; time and again, the consensus can be summed up as follows:
- Weave background information and world building into the narrative
- Avoid data dumps of historical details
- Under no circumstances put the backstory into a prologue
To read the entire article, click here!
And for more useful advice, follow Autumn M. Birt on Twitter!
Previous Top 10 2014 Posts:
#5 – Stop the presses. Literacy isn’t important. Technology is.
#6 – How to Write a Novel Synopsis: 5 Tips
#8: Music Monday – Love The Way You Lie
Photo credits
Jen's Pen Den 
jup back story is defiantly a tricky one… and it can mess up the flow of your book if not done correctly.
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Reblogged this on AM Justice Journeys Through Time and commented:
Wow! Jenna Willet picked my article about Backstory to be her #2 blog post of 2014! Many thanks to Jenna and my friend and fellow Guild of Dreams member Autumn Birt for drawing attention to this piece.
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