Watch your delivery of backstory ~ the story of what, in the past, made the character who they are today (in story time).
Writers want to cram everything right up front.
“I know all their history, why would I want to withhold it from the reader?”
“I wrote it that way.”
“It’s the good part.”
Writers spend lots of time imagining and writing every little detail about a character’s past, be it for a child or an adult. So, of course, writers would want to tell everything right away. Perhaps, in the process, even show off a bit how clever they are. Until, one understands how curiosity works.
Not telling everything makes the reader curious. Curiosity draws the reader deeper into the story world. The reader wants to fill in the “who,” “what,” “how” (the “where” and “when” have already been clearly established right up front to ground the reader). They keep reading. This is good.
Tell the reader only what they need to know to inform that particular scene. This is especially true in the Beginning (1/4 mark). During the first quarter of the project, the character can have a memory. But, for a full-blown flashback, where you take the reader back in time in scene, wait until the Middle.
(PLOT TIP: If you’re absolutely sure you absolutely have to include the flashback, try using one when you’re bogged down in the middleof the middle.)
Click on green highlighted plot concepts for further explanations via video. Each time a concept is referenced you are directed to new information about the Universal Story and writing a novel, memoir or screenplay.
Visit Plot Series: How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay? on YouTube. A directory of all the steps to the series is to the right of this post. Enjoy!
Great rewiev!Thanks!
This is a fabulous blog, Martha, thanks so much for such good instruction.
Dear Plot Whisperer Martha,
Your advice "Not telling everything makes the reader curious. Curiosity draws the reader deeper into the story world." is golden. When I edit my hard-working clients' manuscripts, I see their desire to 'inform' (especially in the first quarter of the story); and I give them this analogy: "Engaging the reader within the first 5 pages is so much like hooking attention on a first date, the next five pages on a second date, and so on, and so on. Intrigue the reader, not overwhelm her/him." Martha, I am so excited that your new book will be available in October! Lucky us writers and manuscript consultants! Cheers to you! Sincerely, Teresa LeYung-Ryan, author of Build Your Writer's Platform & Fanbase In 22 Days: Attract Agents, Editors, Publishers, Readers, and Media Attention NOW and Love Made of Heart
Thanks for your kind words, essay writing!
Thanks for visiting and commenting, Elizabeth!
Great advice, Teresa. (Fun to find you here!) I remember going over this in a plot workshop and a writer coming up after to say she had learned not only about how to pace the introduction of her protagonist, she learned more about how to present herself to others, too…
Nice post! Thanks.