Writer Unleashed #242: Writing Backstory: 3 Game-Changing Tips
Backstory often gets blamed for slowing a story down. Writers are told to cut it, sprinkle it lightly, or avoid it altogether.
But here’s the truth: the wrong backstory, delivered the wrong way, at the wrong time is the problem.
Used with intention, backstory can reveal the wounds and desires that drive your character, raise the stakes, and transform an ordinary scene into one that lingers with readers.
In this episode, I’ll share:
- 3 powerful ways to use backstory so it deepens, rather than derails, your story
- How to spot when your backstory is drowning out the narrative
- A simple technique to keep time jumps clear and seamless for your reader
Whether your draft is overloaded with flashbacks or you’re struggling to weave in your character’s past, this episode will help you use backstory as the tool it’s meant to be.
Not sure if your idea has what it takes to become a powerful story? This free quick guide will help you uncover the heart of your idea in just three simple steps. You’ll walk away with a one-sentence premise you can build your entire book on, and the clarity and confidence to keep going.
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