since I am writing I am struggeling with the question of main character backstory. There is the John Truby/Berthold Brecht approach which says shorty: characters are not people, so know their purpose for the story and the rest will fall in place.
Then there is this other approach of knowing the entire biography of the main character from eye color to favorite zoo animal.
I am quite puzzled what you would recommend, I searched in the Lish notes asked other authors whose work I adore but the advice weren't illuminating. Maybe you can answer how much backstory should be known to me, and should be given to the reader.
Thanks in advance and if someone from the community answers as well, your knowledge is highly appreciated.
My latest novel, I filled out a 9-page backgrounder for my POV character, Hazel. It helped me actually define her purpose in the story, cementing her yearnings, her regrets, her frame of reference--which dictated her actions that fueled the plot. Not to say you have to get that deep into a character's infrastructure, but it's part of the toolbox from which you can pull emotionality, particularity, and decision making.
I definitely tend toward pantsing but as I'm making my way through the zero draft of this novel, grown into more of a plotter. Sill, if I stick to closely to my 'plan', the energy of the piece dries up. So I do both at the same time. I plot via notes in my journal while also keeping the energy by writing charater and scenes focused on a point. It's a triangle, I suppose.
I generally drift between pantsing and tent posting (depending on the day). I'll always try something new if it suits. I think you may be on to something!
More of a back-and-forth, hopefully building towards something organic and coherent. But this idea of starting out with theme and POV, very enlightening. I have to try this, because now, as I'm doing another back-and-forth between outline and writing, I find I need to reinforce my theme.
Hey Susie, hello community,
since I am writing I am struggeling with the question of main character backstory. There is the John Truby/Berthold Brecht approach which says shorty: characters are not people, so know their purpose for the story and the rest will fall in place.
Then there is this other approach of knowing the entire biography of the main character from eye color to favorite zoo animal.
I am quite puzzled what you would recommend, I searched in the Lish notes asked other authors whose work I adore but the advice weren't illuminating. Maybe you can answer how much backstory should be known to me, and should be given to the reader.
Thanks in advance and if someone from the community answers as well, your knowledge is highly appreciated.
Ha! I forgot, I posted that very questionnaire above!
My latest novel, I filled out a 9-page backgrounder for my POV character, Hazel. It helped me actually define her purpose in the story, cementing her yearnings, her regrets, her frame of reference--which dictated her actions that fueled the plot. Not to say you have to get that deep into a character's infrastructure, but it's part of the toolbox from which you can pull emotionality, particularity, and decision making.
two short things, I highly appreciate to get quick and detailed answers from a professional writer like you, cannot thank you enough.
second my firstname is philip just like the boy from your anecdote in the beetroot entry, that really gave me goosebumps.
Oh no! The Philip memory. (I think PeeGee is a terrific alternative.)
On that step 5 : letting the script sit
I usually end up reading stuff that’s way different from my writing. Lol
The questions PDF is wildly helpful, thank you!
thankyou for this ❤️
You’re welcome!
I definitely tend toward pantsing but as I'm making my way through the zero draft of this novel, grown into more of a plotter. Sill, if I stick to closely to my 'plan', the energy of the piece dries up. So I do both at the same time. I plot via notes in my journal while also keeping the energy by writing charater and scenes focused on a point. It's a triangle, I suppose.
“The energy of the piece dries up.” 👏 well said.
I generally drift between pantsing and tent posting (depending on the day). I'll always try something new if it suits. I think you may be on to something!
https://open.substack.com/pub/nancyscuri/p/plotting-by-the-seat-of-your-pants
https://open.substack.com/pub/nancyscuri/p/plotting-by-the-seat-of-your-pants-55f?utm_source=share&utm_medium=android
Yes! Chuck Wendig's Tent Pole method is a fabulous hybrid! thanks for sharing this.
More of a back-and-forth, hopefully building towards something organic and coherent. But this idea of starting out with theme and POV, very enlightening. I have to try this, because now, as I'm doing another back-and-forth between outline and writing, I find I need to reinforce my theme.
Evidently, he's since gone to plotting (understandable, especially if you're working on a series of novels), but I still love the hybrid model.
You are welcome!