tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post8176097516503201311..comments2024-03-06T08:35:34.964-07:00Comments on N. R. Williams, Fantasy Author: Back Story: The Kiss of DeathN. R. Williamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-72870092899067128992010-10-26T00:35:36.993-06:002010-10-26T00:35:36.993-06:00I had never bothered to think (or maybe I couldn&#...I had never bothered to think (or maybe I couldn't figure out) exactly what I liked or didn't like in my readings before. But I just started reading a book in which each chapter is a vignette in a different year of the main character's life and there was something about the first chapter that I just didn't care for. And then I remembered this post you wrote and realized ... it was more back story than story story!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01508114700180229059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-88840802251968712562010-10-12T02:39:57.108-06:002010-10-12T02:39:57.108-06:00I hadn't thought of that Kobico. Thank you for...I hadn't thought of that Kobico. Thank you for your comment.<br />NancyN. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-61907919957017454682010-10-12T00:24:03.722-06:002010-10-12T00:24:03.722-06:00I always find it interesting when writers talk abo...I always find it interesting when writers talk about the writing process. There are so many aspects about it that can be applied to other disciplines that we don't typically learn in school. Maybe we should.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01508114700180229059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-43274468842638676992010-10-11T21:53:15.311-06:002010-10-11T21:53:15.311-06:00Good observation N.A. Thanks for commenting.
Nancy...Good observation N.A. Thanks for commenting.<br />NancyN. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-69150974339471751692010-10-11T21:16:14.763-06:002010-10-11T21:16:14.763-06:00Timely article for me as well. This is part of my ...Timely article for me as well. This is part of my character development process to get to know their back stories. As writers, the better we know our characters the more naturally the story will flow - less forced. Sometimes something from the character's back story will peek into the story and surprise you too :)N A Sharpehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09535316802416841336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-68368078512909812982010-10-11T21:11:45.729-06:002010-10-11T21:11:45.729-06:00Thank you Holly.
That's a great tip Carolyn.
...Thank you Holly.<br /><br />That's a great tip Carolyn.<br /><br />Thank you both for leaving a comment.<br />NancyN. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-41534166398830456192010-10-11T16:47:57.384-06:002010-10-11T16:47:57.384-06:00I went to a conference where the author told us to...I went to a conference where the author told us to read Hunger Games and highlight all the back story. It was a great recommendation and taught me a lot. I think too much makes the story boring, but we need to know a little...or the story doesn't make sense.Carolyn V.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15456210036213016603noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-19280689268225071142010-10-11T13:58:11.784-06:002010-10-11T13:58:11.784-06:00I think it works whenever it is needed – like in y...I think it works whenever it is needed – like in your example.Southpawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16539290964546504171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-59299164148074340222010-10-11T13:50:01.938-06:002010-10-11T13:50:01.938-06:00Thank you for your input MT. I think this may be a...Thank you for your input MT. I think this may be a blogger problem after the feedback I received.<br />NancyN. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-24509297960951823502010-10-11T13:43:24.504-06:002010-10-11T13:43:24.504-06:00I'm glad I'm not the only one who makes ge...I'm glad I'm not the only one who makes genealogy charts for my characters. I especially need one for my current WIP. It's fun!<br /><br />BTW, your page loaded much faster than usual this time - still a little jumpy, and still the problem with trying to get the curser to stay in the comment box while I type, but better. :)MTeacresshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00381461599028233499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-89005658592148088922010-10-11T13:03:38.182-06:002010-10-11T13:03:38.182-06:00I'd love to hear your comments on the endings ...I'd love to hear your comments on the endings Carolyn.<br />NancyN. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-19048817411190574122010-10-11T11:31:28.114-06:002010-10-11T11:31:28.114-06:00I hate writing the begining. Hate, hate, hate it. ...I hate writing the begining. Hate, hate, hate it. I think I will always hate it. Endings are better. Can we talk about them instead?Carolyn Abiadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10567399129586443513noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-67836059121705606872010-10-11T09:58:16.119-06:002010-10-11T09:58:16.119-06:00KK, yeah the "as you know," is not in vo...KK, yeah the "as you know," is not in vogue. by the way everyone, KK has a new book out, check out her site for details.<br /><br />You right Joanne, it is tough, and a little is necessary. Otherwise the reader may think, what is wrong with that guy anyway?<br /><br />Sandra, I agree, dialogue is an excellent way to include back story when handled correctly.<br /><br />Paul, I also keep a word.doc with critical information about my characters. I love the eye-drop example.<br /><br />A trilogy Stephen, I love that.<br /><br />It can be down right frustrating Golden, I know. It sounds like you have a good technique.<br /><br />Thank you everyone who you comments and suggestions on incorporating back story in your novels.<br />NancyN. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-26238611466668110212010-10-11T09:32:16.658-06:002010-10-11T09:32:16.658-06:00I'll sometimes allude to the character's h...I'll sometimes allude to the character's history through memories of past experiences as they're going through something. Or whatever fits the moment--sometimes I do find it hard to figure out the right amount.Golden Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08721520451194318436noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-61796207991747298732010-10-11T08:48:57.553-06:002010-10-11T08:48:57.553-06:00Since my story is a trilogy there's no rush. I...Since my story is a trilogy there's no rush. I have some in the second book, but not the first.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stephentremp.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Stephen Tremp</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-3767296223004377292010-10-11T08:20:20.052-06:002010-10-11T08:20:20.052-06:00I will write a character's backstory in a sepa...I will write a character's backstory in a separate document as a way to get to know who they are. As for putting the backstory into the novel. I try to put in bits of backstory just as the reader needs them. I took a workshop with Jeanette Ingold a few years ago and she said to use an eye-dropper to insert small bits of backstory and that image has stuck with me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-80428946464514181632010-10-11T08:07:17.763-06:002010-10-11T08:07:17.763-06:00I also use conversation to bring in backstory, but...I also use conversation to bring in backstory, but I use it to provide information my character needs. For example, my MC just learned he's the clone of a rock star, so his father has to explain the how and why. We learn this information at the same time as the MC.Sandra Ulbrich Almazanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15365908651235829765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-73665098226962361502010-10-11T07:30:11.395-06:002010-10-11T07:30:11.395-06:00I try not to use too much backstory, but write cri...I try not to use too much backstory, but write critical scenes so the reader can deduce things that had happened prior to the time of the book. It's tough, because some is necessary, so I do try to weave it in subtly.Joannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03972054718663959694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-69739755509460934072010-10-11T07:29:21.349-06:002010-10-11T07:29:21.349-06:00Conversations are my favorite means for dropping i...Conversations are my favorite means for dropping in background info. Avoiding the "info dump" becomes the Holy Grail of Disclosure: "As you know, Jim, our father died.." SheeshKK Breeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18300974722831848744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-39378837061921400122010-10-11T06:58:55.876-06:002010-10-11T06:58:55.876-06:00I'm honored Jules, go right ahead.
NancyI'm honored Jules, go right ahead.<br />NancyN. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-28435007819691286702010-10-11T06:46:22.558-06:002010-10-11T06:46:22.558-06:00Well, that made perfect sense. Hope you don't ...Well, that made perfect sense. Hope you don't mind if I use this as my lesson for the day :)<br /><a href="http://fragilemouse.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow</a>Juleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02136045025997662057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-40890215763046402732010-10-11T06:43:37.926-06:002010-10-11T06:43:37.926-06:00That's a good way to handle it Jeffrey.
Misha...That's a good way to handle it Jeffrey.<br /><br />Misha, a piece at a time works depending on how it's handled.<br /><br />Bish, it definitely can through us off if we don't realize we've done it. Just another editing woe. <br /><br />Thank you all for your comments.N. R. Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02174506528962095858noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-21829065300733363972010-10-11T05:45:57.654-06:002010-10-11T05:45:57.654-06:00I'm dealing with this issue as "we speak....I'm dealing with this issue as "we speak." Very timely.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-79236317008515739102010-10-11T04:21:46.247-06:002010-10-11T04:21:46.247-06:00I kind of just hint at the characters pasts and le...I kind of just hint at the characters pasts and let the hints add up to the puzzle of who they are. I literally devote only sentences at a time to this. <br /><br />For example one character has been shunted about between foster families, so I start with her wondering what it was about going to a new school making her nauseous, since she's been to so many. Later I'd write something referring to one or two foster families. <br /><br />That way the reader has to piece together who she is without me telling the entire sad story...Misha Gerrickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06364173848456424521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4515938238151905083.post-81028667995884601162010-10-11T03:33:03.397-06:002010-10-11T03:33:03.397-06:00I try not to use too much backstory most of the ti...I try not to use too much backstory most of the time, but if I need it I try to incorporate it into the character's thoughts at the present so it doesn't sound like telling. Or in my first novel I had the MC experience the history of the new world he's entered through an interactive, magical book. Something which presents the backstory but keeps the MC, and the reader, fully engaged.Jeff Beeslerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17935580053176710609noreply@blogger.com