Keeping the Backstory Dynamic - CrimeSpace2024-03-29T07:14:22Zhttp://crimespace.ning.com/forum/topics/537324:Topic:9754?xg_raw_resources=1&id=537324%3ATopic%3A9754&feed=yes&xn_auth=noPersonally, I can't see delet…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-27:537324:Comment:140812007-03-27T20:33:11.179ZJannie Ballietthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/tjannieballiett
Personally, I can't see deleting the first chapter and beginning with the second<br />
chapter. What purpose does that serve? My first chapter's opening paragraph is<br />
a murder scene with no introduction of the characters. No names, nothing. Then<br />
later has scenes with dialogue, introducing two characters that one is heart of the<br />
the backstory-- but no one knows until you read further into more chapters and<br />
it unfolds to the reader and comes together.<br />
<br />
It's all a big puzzle, and scattering pieces…
Personally, I can't see deleting the first chapter and beginning with the second <br />
chapter. What purpose does that serve? My first chapter's opening paragraph is <br />
a murder scene with no introduction of the characters. No names, nothing. Then <br />
later has scenes with dialogue, introducing two characters that one is heart of the <br />
the backstory-- but no one knows until you read further into more chapters and <br />
it unfolds to the reader and comes together. <br />
<br />
It's all a big puzzle, and scattering pieces throughout the book, especially through <br />
dialogue, is the way to keep a reader interested, but that puzzle should connect <br />
full-circle to the entire plot and ending.. <br />
<br />
I completely agree with Karen. Take out all backstory from the <i>first chapter.</i> Open <br />
it with action and no explanations. Let the reader get hooked to find out what's <br />
what and whose who, and then introduce the back story scattering throughout the <br />
book through use of mostly dialogue. I like the characters to tell me what's what. <br />
<br />
Bits and pieces here and there as you go, just enough to get the reader asking <br />
himself questions and wanting answers. patti, you said a scene set i…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-21:537324:Comment:100402007-03-21T21:52:18.667ZAnne Frasierhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/annefrasier
patti, you said a scene set in childhood. is this a flashback? or an entire chapter/chapters set in a different period of time?
patti, you said a scene set in childhood. is this a flashback? or an entire chapter/chapters set in a different period of time? There is that Dennis Lehane l…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-21:537324:Comment:99442007-03-21T17:40:19.404ZBrianLindenmuthhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/BrianL
There is that Dennis Lehane line from an interview a couple of years ago.<br />
<br />
"...your audience does not need to know that your character doesn’t like mustard, or even why. But you need to know. "
There is that Dennis Lehane line from an interview a couple of years ago.<br />
<br />
"...your audience does not need to know that your character doesn’t like mustard, or even why. But you need to know. " I agree as well-- though ever…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-21:537324:Comment:99422007-03-21T17:37:49.025ZCharles A. Kinghttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/jeeks43
I agree as well-- though everyone from my writing group just rolled their eyes. Perhaps this goes to the question of “Openings” in general, and how good the “hook” is and the narrative’s ability to suspend the reader’s disbelief? To my mind the opening should do both those things and adding backstory to the mix feels weighty … too weighty to pull off well. … Backstory feels like “author intrusions” moreover, which are deadly in mysteries. A good piece of advice, I got long ago, was not to…
I agree as well-- though everyone from my writing group just rolled their eyes. Perhaps this goes to the question of “Openings” in general, and how good the “hook” is and the narrative’s ability to suspend the reader’s disbelief? To my mind the opening should do both those things and adding backstory to the mix feels weighty … too weighty to pull off well. … Backstory feels like “author intrusions” moreover, which are deadly in mysteries. A good piece of advice, I got long ago, was not to underestimate your audience. Especially this audience: mystery readers. They’ll either get it, or think it’s a clue (possible misdirection is always a good thing too). But if you get them with the hook and “disbelief” thing, they’ll give you a pretty good amount of time to fill in the rest. I agree, I think the most imp…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-21:537324:Comment:98362007-03-21T14:53:21.347ZDana Kayehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/DanaKaye
I agree, I think the most important part about including backstory is that it spawns from the front story. If the character's mother died of cancer, going to a hospital would probably freak her out. If the character was a Vietnam vet, he'd probably have nightmares and flashbacks, getting some of that backstory on the page. <br />
<br />
I see backstory as another form of character development. Knowing about who these people are and where they came from makes readers care for them more.
I agree, I think the most important part about including backstory is that it spawns from the front story. If the character's mother died of cancer, going to a hospital would probably freak her out. If the character was a Vietnam vet, he'd probably have nightmares and flashbacks, getting some of that backstory on the page. <br />
<br />
I see backstory as another form of character development. Knowing about who these people are and where they came from makes readers care for them more. I agree with what's already b…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-21:537324:Comment:98342007-03-21T14:49:17.914ZDavid Terrenoirehttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/Terrenoire
I agree with what's already been said. The less backstory the better. It's important that we know the story, but usually isn't that important for the reader. It's been a while since I read Silence of the Lambs, but I'm not sure there was any discussion as to why Hannibal was a cannibal, just that he was and his criminal backstory came out naturally, through Clarice's investigation. Most readers don't need a lot of motivation, just a sentence or two that will give them a reason to believe.<br />
<br />
I…
I agree with what's already been said. The less backstory the better. It's important that we know the story, but usually isn't that important for the reader. It's been a while since I read Silence of the Lambs, but I'm not sure there was any discussion as to why Hannibal was a cannibal, just that he was and his criminal backstory came out naturally, through Clarice's investigation. Most readers don't need a lot of motivation, just a sentence or two that will give them a reason to believe. <br />
<br />
I think of the character work I did as an actor. I knew where the character went to school, to church, if his parents were still alive, all sorts of private details. The playwright didn't tell me those things, and the audience never heard about them, but it helped me play the part, just as it will help you write your character. Gosh, this is like the greate…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-21:537324:Comment:98322007-03-21T14:35:47.614ZPatricia Abbotthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/pattinase
Gosh, this is like the greatest workshop ever. <br />
There's no back story until Chapter Four or Five. And when my husband read <br />
that chapter, he sent me back to the drawing board. It's better now, but it's hard to <br />
make a scene set in childhood as dynamic as the ones set in adulthood. <br />
(I have to leave out the sex and violence to some degree). <br />
I also find it harder to show and not tell in the past. <br />
But these are some great ideas and a confirmation of what my instincts tell me. <br />
THANKS!
Gosh, this is like the greatest workshop ever. <br />
There's no back story until Chapter Four or Five. And when my husband read <br />
that chapter, he sent me back to the drawing board. It's better now, but it's hard to <br />
make a scene set in childhood as dynamic as the ones set in adulthood. <br />
(I have to leave out the sex and violence to some degree). <br />
I also find it harder to show and not tell in the past. <br />
But these are some great ideas and a confirmation of what my instincts tell me. <br />
THANKS! I echo what others have said…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-21:537324:Comment:98232007-03-21T14:22:38.005ZHarry Hunsickerhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/harryhunsicker
I echo what others have said about weaving in the backstory throughout the book. Also, Karen Dionne had some excellent points about the opening sequence. I try (and usually fail) to use no more than a line or three of backstory in the first two chapters. This really keeps things moving.<br/><br/>If your asking this question, however, it sounds like you are on the right track.
I echo what others have said about weaving in the backstory throughout the book. Also, Karen Dionne had some excellent points about the opening sequence. I try (and usually fail) to use no more than a line or three of backstory in the first two chapters. This really keeps things moving.<br/><br/>If your asking this question, however, it sounds like you are on the right track. That is similar to what the l…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-21:537324:Comment:98102007-03-21T13:54:41.897ZMike Stotterhttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/shotsed
That is similar to what the late Michael Gilbert once said to me. "Write the book and when you are editing it, simply cut out the first chapter. You'd be surprised how better the book would be for it. If only some writers did that today." <br />
<br />
God bless him.
That is similar to what the late Michael Gilbert once said to me. "Write the book and when you are editing it, simply cut out the first chapter. You'd be surprised how better the book would be for it. If only some writers did that today." <br />
<br />
God bless him. A good example of doing it wi…tag:crimespace.ning.com,2007-03-21:537324:Comment:98082007-03-21T13:50:55.734ZLaura Benedicthttp://crimespace.ning.com/profile/lpbenedict
A good example of doing it with chapters is Tess Gerritsen's "Vanish."
A good example of doing it with chapters is Tess Gerritsen's "Vanish."