I’ve learned the hard way that a backstory is just as important as the main story when writing a fictional novel, and I have a habit of coming up with scenarios that require a backstory more detailed than the main story itself, whether it be a specific character, a setting or the entire universe!
Maybe it’s my obsessive need to answer every possible question, or maybe it’s just good writing. But everything must make sense, every piece must fit the puzzle. If someone asks me about a random detail that isn’t even important, I need to have the answer.
Take Harry Potter for example, no matter how many times I read the books or watch the movies, I have questions. When I ask them questions to Google, Google knows the answer. The question may not be answered by JK Rowling herself, it might just be a fan, but nevertheless, the answer works, and fits the timeline.
I must have come up with about five or six novel ideas in the last year, and each one of them has been abandoned due to the lack of a backstory that works. I admit the universes I create are a little… extreme for a first time writer, but I like the challenge! And I’ve definitely learned from these failed worlds. One of the most important things I have taught myself is:
Don’t overcomplicate it!!
Answers don’t have to be detailed. In fact, a quick, simple answer is much more satisfying than a three paragraph answer that requires effort to read. People Google answers so that they don’t have to do any work! Q: “Who killed Jeremy?” A: “Betty.” Boom. Simple.
Another dilemma I’ve had with the dreaded backstory is when to stop. Writing a backstory before the main story itself has its benefits, but you never know when a new idea might pop into your head. Halfway through chapter 14 you might come up with a little extra detail that makes the adventure more exciting! And that little detail might impact the backstory, and that change might impact what was written in chapter 4! Ahhh!
So when do you stop planning the backstory and get your head down? I think the answer depends on the story, and the writer. Having never written a book cover to cover, I haven’t yet experience rewriting a second draft, and the third, and so on. I’m sure that my final piece will be unrecognisable when comparing it to my first draft, and changing up the backstory will likely have something to do with it. Basically, I need to prepare myself for a lot of writing!
I can’t wait!
Jake Grayson Writes 