Baby got Backstory
Crafting the second novel in a series presents an interesting set of challenges and opportunities. One of the places you might wobble is integrating backstory from the first novel. The goal is to enrich the narrative without falling into the trap of info-dumping, especially early on. Let's explore the best ways to achieve this balance, ensuring our readers remain captivated and clear on the unfolding story.
Strategic Seeding
Incorporate vital backstory only when it's necessary for understanding the immediate scene or for character development. This selective approach prevents overwhelming readers with too much information at once and ensures that crucial details stand out when they're most needed.
Gradual Reminders
For readers returning to your series, it's important to refresh their memory—but with a light touch. Resist the urge to unload all details in the opening chapters. Instead, weave reminders subtly through actions, dialogue, and reflection, focusing on what's relevant at the moment.
Show, Don't Tell
Utilize the show, don't tell principle to reveal backstory in a way that feels organic and engaging. For instance, a character's decision or reaction can hint at their past experiences without needing an explicit explanation. This method keeps the narrative flowing and allows readers to piece together the backstory as they go.
Use New Perspectives
Introducing new characters or perspectives can offer fresh opportunities to revisit important backstory elements without repeating yourself. A newcomer's curiosity about the characters or events from the first novel can serve as a natural conduit for sharing information with the reader.
Flashbacks and Memories
Employ flashbacks or memories with care, ensuring they serve the story's progression. These techniques can provide rich, emotional insights into your characters' pasts but should be used sparingly to maintain the narrative's momentum.
Consistency is Key
Maintain a careful record of the backstory and character histories to ensure consistency. A timeline or story bible can be invaluable tools for tracking what has been revealed and what remains in the shadows, helping you decide when and how to disclose key information.
Here are some writing exercises to help with incorporating backstory in Book 2:
1. Dialogue-Driven Backstory
Write a scene where two characters are in the middle of an activity unrelated to the backstory you want to incorporate (e.g., they could be cooking together, on a road trip, etc.). Use their conversation to naturally introduce elements of the backstory. The key is to make the backstory relevant to their current situation or conversation, without making it feel forced.
2. The Memory Trigger
Choose an object or setting in your current scene that would realistically trigger a memory for your character. Write a short passage where the character interacts with or observes this trigger, leading to a brief flashback. This exercise helps practice transitioning smoothly from the present narrative to a relevant piece of backstory without disrupting the flow of the scene.
3. Show, Don’t Tell: Character Habits
Think of a habit or quirk that your character has developed because of their past experiences. Write a scene showing your character displaying this habit or quirk. Then, have another character inquire about it, allowing for a natural exposition of the backstory.
4. The Unfinished Sentence
Begin writing a scene in which your character starts to recall a past event related to the scene at hand but gets interrupted. The interruption can come from another character, an external event, or even an internal realization that stops them from dwelling on the past. This technique creates intrigue and prompts readers to want to know more about the character’s history.
5. Internal Monologue Reflection
Write a scene from your character's point of view where they're faced with a decision, problem, or situation that mirrors an event from their past. Use their internal monologue to reflect on this past event and how it shapes their current thoughts or actions. Aim to keep this reflection brief and directly relevant to the character's present situation.
6. Environmental Storytelling
Describe a setting in your story that holds significance to your character’s past. Through the character’s interaction with or reaction to this setting, reveal small, poignant details of the backstory. Focus on how the environment evokes memories or emotions without explicitly stating the historical events.
Striking the right balance with backstory not only respects the intelligence and memory of your readers but also strengthens the foundation of your series, making every page worth turning. As you continue to weave the past with the present, remember that the heart of your story lies not in recounting what has already happened but in capturing the moments that unfold next!