As I wind down my next book, I am dealing with when to share the backstory with my readers. Perhaps discussing its importance with you will help solidify it for me.

Backstory—the part of the story that comes before the main story—it grounds the story for the “opening” chapter. It helps the author clarify what will be motivating the characters going forward… why they act/react in certain ways to story events.

The only things that should be included are those that actually drive the plot. One of these is often called The Wound—something that haunts the character—a lie the main character believes. A lie that needs to be laid to rest. 

Why?

Because the lie they believe is limiting them in some way—creating an inner conflict.  

Three ways to share the backstory:

1. Sharing the Backstory As A “Drip”– the most effective, of all backstory techniques. Essentially, it is slowly giving small pieces of information, as necessary, throughout the story so readers can understand what is happening. Backstory provides clues which change the trajectory  of the character’s arc.

2. Sharing Backstory in a Prologue-this is an extra   “chapter” at the beginning of the story, as explained above. It is set apart as a “tease” to get readers to want to know more. 

3. Sharing Backstory in Flashbacks-These are actual scenes from the past that show what has happened in the backstory. They can chop up the flow of your story, but shouldn’t be too problematic if you sprinkle them throughout the book. 

Don’t share backstory until you’ve reached a point in the story where it’s imperative that readers know it. 

If they don’t feel the need to understand what happened in the past, they may not be willing to spend the time reading all of the details.

I’m close to making a decision. Are you???