Does Your Story Have a Backstory?
Why Every Story Must Have a Backstory
Earlier this week, I discussed flashbacks and whether they should be used. I mentioned that they can be tricky, but if used correctly that can be helpful. The difficult part knowing when to include a flashback and when it will be effective rather than intrusive.
Typically, if the story can be told without a flashback, its best to avoid them.
But what about backstory? What is the difference?
A flashback completely interrupts the present story to go back in time and dramatize a previous event.
Backstory is part of every story. It’s is everything that has happened in your story before the story began. Since your characters didn’t drop into your book without any history, we as readers assume they had a back story.
Star Wars is a perfect example. The 1977 movie — the first one ever released, began with young Luke Skywalker living with his aunt and uncle (Why? Where were his parents?) who is thrust into an adventure to deliver a message to Obi-Wan Kenobi. The message is from Princess Leia who has been captured by Darth Vader’s forces.
