‘I guess that when it comes to backstories, and what you keep and what you throw into the mix, you keep the moments that shape your character…in terms of the story you’re telling and if your characters have shared history. But remember it’s the future you’re telling, not the past.’
Well, you do if you want to have a future? That blog
I did kiss you ten years ago in that coach…bagging the backstory
was about what to put in and what to leave out when it comes to backstories, today we’re talking how to present the backstory.
Yep. Managing how, when and just how much backstory to deliver isn’t just tricky, it’s something a lot of hamsters writers setting out to write that first novel agonize over. 
Haven’t we made up this fantastically detailed backstory to put the meat on our characters’ bones, determine how it has defined them? 
Don’t we want the reader/publisher/agent to be bedazzled with our fabulous pzazz ability? Our imagination in overdrive?
Honestly, I have to answer no. It’s a personal thing of course, but I’m a believer in the drip feed effect. Anyone with half an imagination can fill in the backstory but the real writing trick comes in holding the horses until it’s the right moment to let them go. Or rather let them canter for a yard or two then haul them back in again.
Why? 
Not that, you dork.
Because the reader doesn’t have to know everything. Think about it. It’s only you, the writer, who thinks they do. Too much, too soon, doesn’t give much of an incentive to keep reading. Too much, too soon, slows the pace. Takes the story backwards. By dropping little hints and details we can create mysteries, crank up the anticipation, get and keep the reader guessing, over the simplest thing. Who a person is? What happened to them? Don’t we all like to play am I right, or wrong with this guess?
All the time as we’re making them wonder, we advance what really counts. That’s the plot. Think great TV series that end with a cliff-hanger, then open the next episode NOT where the last one left off but somewhere else all together, somewhere calmer, different. Somewhere where time has moved on, so now we’re itching to know about a ton of things, in addition to the backstory and we’re watching to find out.
Apart from the fact Matthew was a character in Loving Lady Lazuli, I’m not telling here who he was, or how he connects to the heroine so she can’t bear to think of him. 
What did I say re mysteries?
And I’m not spilling re the end of chapter one in His Judas Bride either.
shehanne moore 
Wise words indeed! No, not from da hamstahs! From the lips of the coolest Glam-mar in the business. Drip feed. I like that term. Thanks for sharing.
Aw Noele, yir a sweetie. Da hamstahs are da smart ones. xxxx
Aah so have some secrets or undeveloped characters to have a book about later 😀 or something like that LOL.
A story on how they got inthe first novel or what they were like before. I dig I dig. and in the novel reveal just enough to have people want more. become the drug feed the drug get the addict.
Bottoms up thanks for the lessons
Yeah lol, don’t spill the whole thing. Just feed the drug get the addict. I like that! Lovely to see you Mr Crow
100% spot on, Shey. Too much back story dumped all at once on a reader’s plate and you’ll have them asleep – or reaching for the gun to shoot themselves – or, even worse, closing the book, vowing never to return. Little bits here and there give the character depth, motivation and let the reader in on a ‘secret’. Great blog!
100% thank you Antonia. I always end up putting down these books that start really well and then they meander into the past with pages of it too. They’ve just lost me. Lol, of course I am a fan of the drip feed cos I havenae got it all worked out either but hey, it’s also an incentive to keep writing!
Well said…. Both you and the cute hammies! Nothing is worse than those info dumps Andrade slow drip is a perfect way responsible described it. Kind if like the hammies water bottle, yes? Great post!
Yeah…Just tiny morsels to whet the appetite as opposed to a face stuffing that just gives you indigestion x
Great post with lots of useful information drip fed between the hamsters makes it really interesting,. Now I’m off to practice 🙂
thanks Jane I am sure you don’t need that advice tho!!
Learning something about the writing craft every day still very much a beginner 🙂 xxx
Let’s face it there is something new to learn everyday but hone you’re a pro! x
Great post, and so true! I’ve been thinking about back story lately and this just fit so perfectly with what was in my head 😀
(Modest look) Well great minds think alike Mishka….(let’s leave the other bit of that proverb aside.) Backstory is something we all find difficult and give a lot of thought to, even if we don’t know where things are going, so I’m thrilled if this was any help x.
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You have a very original and fresh blog. 🙂
Well, good or bad, and always to my detriment, I just can’t go with the flow. Aggggh! If only. Seriously Carol, thank you for taking the time to come by. Cos given what I said, I honestly do appreciate that.
🙂
Hi Shey 😀 We of the Pink Bow Gang are revolting ! Up the revolution !! (On our hamster wheel 😉 ) Sorry. Too much info. Got to keep you guessing my friend. ❤ xox
Oh….you are their leader are yah Ralph. Mighta guessed! xxx
World dominance is their goal (once they find a way out of their cage 😉 ) xox
Yeah…I need to lock em back up. Especially now they found a wig