Using a Pinch of Backstory

Backstory consists of events that occurred before the opening scene of the novel. If the events of your book start on February 1, 2023, anything that happens before that date is backstory. Sometimes it can help our readers understand our characters, plot twists, and other parts of the story. But if used too heavily, it can leave a bad taste in a reader's mouth.

Writers want to include backstory in their manuscripts because they've plotted and provided explanations for their story. We often feel the urge to explain everything—why the protagonist dislikes elevators, how the villain's childhood influenced their vendetta, or what happened that summer in Paris. But readers don't need a full report on every character. They need a reason to care.

A novel is like time; it moves forward, progressing towards a resolution. Readers want the new, not the old. They want to know what will happen, not what has happened. It stops your novel. (screeching tire sound for added effect)

A common mistake I made as a new writer was adding backstory at the beginning of my novel. In fact, I never liked writing the beginning of a manuscript because I was afraid of boring my reader with backstory. Note to self: If you feel that way, it is probably for a good reason.

The number one rule I learned as a new writer:

The backstory that appears in the first several pages of our novel probably sinks the novel's chances. The reader can wait for the history. Get the story going before inserting backstory. And, if some backstory is required for clarity, we should do it quickly. Your manuscript probably needs far less backstory than you think.

The Thread Rule:

Weave backstory like embroidery—not a patch slapped on top, but a thread that runs subtly through the fabric. Let readers discover it organically, like finding a photo tucked in a drawer.

Use Backstory When:

It raises the stakes. If knowing a character's past makes the present more urgent or painful, sprinkle it in.

It explains behavior. A cryptic reaction or odd choice becomes poignant when rooted in history.

It deepens emotional resonance. Backstory can turn a plot twist into a gut punch.

Avoid Backstory When:

It stalls momentum. If your reader is skimming to "get back to the good part," you've gone too far. (Ouch)

It's more interesting than the present. That's a sign your story started too late.

It's an info-dump disguised as dialogue. "As you know, I was abandoned at the circus…" rarely works.

Backstory isn't the story. It's the shadow that gives it shape.

Backstory isn't one-size-fits-all; it flexes depending on the genre's emotional tone, pacing, and reader expectations.

I'll end my blog with a quick tour through the literary landscape.

How Different Genres Use Backstory

Mystery & Thriller

Purpose: To plant clues, misdirect, or explain motives.

Style: Often revealed through interviews, flashbacks, or hidden documents.

Timing: Withheld until it heightens suspense or solves a puzzle.

Romance

Purpose: To explain emotional wounds, fears of intimacy, or past relationships.

Style: Woven into dialogue, internal monologue, or symbolic objects (e.g., a locket).

Timing: Sprinkled early to build empathy, then deepened as trust grows.

Fantasy & Sci-Fi

Purpose: To build world lore, explain magic systems, or justify political conflict.

Style: Delivered through legends, prologues, or mentor speeches.

Timing: Often front-loaded or gradually revealed as the protagonist explores the world.

Literary Fiction

Purpose: To explore identity, trauma, or philosophical themes.

Style: Introspective, nonlinear, often memory-driven.

Timing: Interwoven with present action, sometimes blurring past and present.

Cozy Mystery / Satire (your sweet spot!)

Purpose: To add charm, deepen quirks, or gently critique social norms.

Style: Revealed through gossip, nicknames, or humorous anecdotes.

Timing: Used to build community and contrast surface impressions with more profound truths.

Remember, backstory, like salt, should enhance the flavor of your story—not leave your readers with a bad taste in their mouths.