Ever thought about how much backstory your character really needs? Discover the art of 'backfilling' to add depth without overwhelming your narrative. The discussion shines a light on the impact of identity and community on character actions and choices. Plus, explore how today's fragmented media world shapes storytelling. Learn to weave emotional connections into your narratives, making characters resonate through well-developed histories. Embrace the nuances of identity to create relatable, authentic characters.
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Character Backstory
Consider how much you need to know about your character's past.
Discover details as you write and layer them in for continuity.
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Narrative Weight of Identity
Give character identities narrative weight, impacting their actions and choices.
Avoid simply stating facts; show how their past shapes their present.
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Background Informing Choices
A character's background influences their choices and reactions.
Consider how their experiences shape their internal thoughts and language.
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Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?
And Other Conversations About Race
Beverly Daniel Tatum
In this book, Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum delves into the psychology of racism and racial identity development, addressing questions about racial segregation in schools and other settings. The book, first published in 1997 and revised in 2017, discusses the stages of racial identity development, the importance of racial group identity for Black youth, and the systemic impacts of racism on education and society. Tatum argues that understanding and discussing these issues is crucial for creating a more inclusive and equitable environment. The book also provides insights into how parents, teachers, and other adults can support the healthy development of racial identity in children and adolescents[2][4][5].
Have you ever wondered how much you need to know about a specific character before you start your story? Do you need to have an entire outline of their childhood before you can start writing in depth about them? We don’t think so! But it is important to listen to these questions as they emerge. This can help you figure out how to incorporate facets of each character’s identity that have narrative weight, instead of crowding the story with small facts that might not be necessary. This can help you layer and backfill as you build out – and discover– your story.
Homework: Identify something from your character's life before your story begins - write a scene in which that element of the character weighs on the scene but is never explicitly mentioned.
P.S. Want to come write with us in 2025?! Our retreat registration is open, and we are starting to fill up! We are going to unlock our creative processes in Minnesota and explore Story Refinement as we cruise down the Mexican Riviera! Learn more here.
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Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Dongwon Song, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.
Writing Excuses 