Ten Ways to Deliver Backstory in Novels

Backstory is an essential part of any novel. It helps to establish the world in which the characters live and to provide context for their actions. It can also make a story more interesting by adding layers of complexity and detail. However, it can be difficult to deliver backstory without bogging down the narrative. Here are ten ways to deliver backstory in novels with description:

1. Dialogue: Dialogue can be used to naturall
y introduce backstory into a scene without disrupting the flow of the narrative. For example, a conversation between two characters can include references to past events that provide context for the present situation.

2. Flashbacks: A flashback is a scene from the past that helps to explain the current situation. It can be used to provide a deeper understanding of the motivations of a character or to reveal key plot points.

3. Dreams and Visions: Dreams and visions can be used to reveal backstory in a more abstract way. A character's dream or vision can provide insight into his or her innermost thoughts and feelings, which can help to explain why they behave in certain ways.

4. Character Thoughts: Character thoughts can be used to provide insight into the character's past experiences and how they have shaped who they are. This can help to explain why they act the way they do and why they have certain beliefs and values.

5. Narration: Narration is a great way to provide backstory without taking away from the action of the story. It is usually done in the form of an omniscient narrator who can provide information about characters, settings, and events that have happened in the past.

6. Letters and Journals: Letters and journals can be used to provide backstory in an intimate way. They can be written by a character or by someone from the past, providing insight into their thoughts, feelings, and motivations.

7. News Reports: News reports or other media sources can be used to provide information about events that have occurred in the past. This can help to contextualize the present situation and provide more information about the characters and world.

8. Prologues and Epilogues: Prologues and epilogues are a great way to provide backstory without disrupting the flow of the story. They can be used to provide an overview of past events or a glimpse into the future.

9. Word of Mouth: Word of mouth can be used to provide information about characters and events that have happened in the past. This can take the form of gossip, rumors, or even stories that characters tell each other. 

10. Objects: Objects can be used to provide insight into a character's past experiences or beliefs. This can be done by having characters interact with objects that have a significant meaning for them or by having them find objects from their past that reveal something about who they were before the story began. 

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Creating Believable, Relatable Characters for Authors

 

When it comes to writing a novel, one of the most important aspects is creating characters that are believable and relatable. After all, readers need to be able to connect with the characters in order to become invested in the story. As an author, it’s important to take the time to develop your characters so that they are well-rounded and interesting. Here are some tips for how to improve your characters in novels.

 1. Give them flaws. While you want your characters to be likable, they also need to be realistic and relatable. This means giving them flaws and making sure that their flaws are both visible and believable. Fleshing out your characters’ flaws will help readers better understand them and connect with them on a deeper level.

 2. Give them goals. Every character should have a goal or a driving force that motivates them throughout the story. This could be a physical goal, such as finding a lost treasure, or an emotional goal, such as finding inner peace. Having a clear goal gives your characters something to strive for and makes them more interesting and engaging.

 3. Give them backstory. While backstory isn’t necessary to understanding a character’s current motivations, it can help to provide context and make them more realistic. Including a character’s backstory in the novel can also give readers insight into who the character is and why they’re making the choices they do.

 4. Give them relationships. No character should exist in a vacuum. Giving your characters relationships with other characters in the novel can help to make them more relatable and likable. These relationships can be positive or negative, but they should be meaningful and have an impact on the story.

 5. Give them obstacles. Every good story has obstacles for the characters to overcome. These obstacles can take the form of other characters, physical dangers, or even their own inner struggles. Obstacles give your characters something to push against, and give readers something to root for.

Check out my sci-fi adventure mystery series, the "Cryptopunk Revolution."

Join the brilliant hacker Fae Luna and her companions as she battles an unknown foe of unimaginable power. Get ready for an electrifying journey filled with twists and turns,
where truth is elusive and nothing is as it seems. Available on Amazon