Agents and publishers want you to start your book in the middle of the action. Forget the backstory; just plop me down in the middle of something exciting. Okaaaay. But then, how do you insert that backstory that’s needed to explain character behavior? And what do you include? And when? Carolyn J. Rose has written nine books, some on her own and some with her co-author, Mike Nettleton. She’ll be here tomorrow to talk about back story and how she used it in her latest book, Hemlock Lake.
In addition to being a multi-published author, Carolyn spent 25 years as a television news researcher, writer, producer, and assignment editor in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. She lives in Vancouver, Washington, with her husband.
Before you zip away to write down your back story questions for tomorrow, take a gander at the book trailer for Hemlock Lake.
If for some reason, the trailer doesn’t work for you, just link over to watch it on Carolyn’s site.
I'll look forward to coming back tomorrow and hearing Carolyn's thoughts on backstory--always a tricky subject!
ReplyDeleteGreat trailer!
I'm not a big fan of this straight-into-the-action style. Often the action doesn't have any meaning without a proper context. A book is like an opera; the overture should come before the great soprano arias, I think >:)
ReplyDeleteCold As Heaven
This is great, Helen. I've been struggling with this exact issue for a while now. Thank you. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's post.
ReplyDeleteThe latest Writer's Digest addressed this in their list of ten myths - really worth reading! I look forward to hearing your guest discuss the issue...
ReplyDeleteI'm learning the start in the middle of the action style, but it's not as easy as it sounds.
ReplyDeleteNo, it's not easy. And the in-your-face type of start would not be the same for a cozy and a thriller. But how much back story in the opening chapter? How much filtered in?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great post to come back for. I think I can write in-the-action beginnings. Beginnings have never been my problem. But then what? THAT'S my problem!
ReplyDeleteMichele
SouthernCityMysteries
Such a hard balance to strike. The trailer is intriguing with the heart beating faster as it progresses!
ReplyDeleteSounds good. I look forward to reading the post. Learning is a good thing. :)
ReplyDeleteAuthor Blog: Glynis Smy
Do you have to tell it all? Sometimes it works well if you don't know everything.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to what Carolyn will share tomorrow. Too much info-dumping can be a problem and deciding how much explanation is needed can also be a challenge
ReplyDeleteI often write the beginning, then come back to hack off several pages so it's starts with a hook.
ReplyDeleteDave, I personally think you don't want to tell all. That's often what makes the hook - leaving your readers anticipating.
I'll be here to get some backstory tips. It's always a problem figuring out what to do.
ReplyDeleteSounds great - backstory can be tricky.
ReplyDeletePS I've got an award for you Helen over at my blog :)
Thank you, Jemi, I'll head over!
ReplyDeleteGreat trailer! I'm a firm believer in hooking the reader immediately and spooning in backstory a bit at a time. I look forward to Carolyn's interview tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteFinding that balance is hard. You need to capture your reader's attention and keep it, but you also have to set up the norms of your world so the ensuing events are believable. I'm still struggling with backstory filtering and keeping it as it applies to the NOW. That isn't easy at all.
ReplyDeletePerhaps we should label this post:
ReplyDeleteBackstory - One More Thing Writers Have to Struggle With.
There's always something more to learn or learn to do better. Can't wait to take in another lesson tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteSounds good! Looks good! I'll be back tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteSylvia Dickey Smith
I've only seen a couple of book trailers, and they were jam packed from the get go with a lot of in your face blood. I liked the way this one opened with the flaring match and built from there.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good discussion tomorrow. When to tell what is always tricky.
This book trailer seems to me to be fairly simple, yet it tells a lot about the book.
ReplyDeleteThe backstory vs. action balance is difficult. I'll check this out.
ReplyDeleteThis will be good. I'll be back tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteWhen you stop and think about it, writing a book means the writer has to juggle so many things!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads-up. Backstory is sooooo important, not too much, but just right, like the baby bear. Love that cover, btw, smoke rising over the trees with the lake in the foreground. I think I'd buy this book on the basis of that alone. Go away Kindle.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to seeing the advice.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this - and I agree that the cover for Hemlock Lake is awesome.
Wow! So many of you have checked in that I hope my post can live up to Helen's introduction.
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn't check in sooner, but I've been working as a volunteer setting up for the Willamette Writers' Conference.
I've been told, absolutely no back story until Chapter four, however, that is no always doable. For example in my story I show the protagonist changing the batteries in her flashlight. Why is this important to her. So I have her remember a night when the electricity was turned off, two sentences, but it's in the first chapter and it is back story. The flashlight is critical later in the book and I need to explain for that future reference why she has it and that the batteries are fresh.
ReplyDeleteNancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author
I think most of "the rules" about novel-writing are there for good reason, but I worry that some can be too detailed and too rigid. I go with the "if it works, it works" philosophy.
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