Yeah, well, I don't know what I was thinking.
I have no idea where this novels ends. All I have are a few later scenes sketched out in my mind and on paper. I'm pretty sure of where the novel starts, but the story starts years before what happens on that first page. Does the reader need to know everything that happened in the past? No. Do I, as the writer? I don't know. The word "everything" is kind of vague.
Now, the organized, list-loving part of my brain loves the concept of those Character Background Sheets. You know, the ones that ask you to list the traits and habits and secrets of your characters. I have tried using those things again and again, and every time, I get frustrated and rip up the pages and toss them about the room like confetti. I don't know her favorite ice cream flavor. I don't know his first puppy's name.
So, instead of making myself even crazier and having to clean confetti off the tortoises' shells, I decided to stop forcing my writing process into one that's "acceptable." I didn't write Chapter Twelve for Camp NaNo, but I wrote scene after scene of backstory. I wrote them as if they were actual chapters, even though the chances of me using them whole and complete are slim to none. I wrote them from the POV of whatever character's backstory I was recording. I listened and I learned. So, that's why the Antagonist is as insane as she is! Ah, the Antagonist's sidekick has a few secrets of her own! Oh, I didn't see that possible plot line connecting a good guy and a bad guy before!
I might not know who loves chocolate ice cream or whose dog was named Floppy, but I do know, or at least I'm learning, what's important to this story and to the people in it.
As a writer, how do you handle backstory? Do you use those Character Background Sheets? How do you make them work for you? As a reader, how do you like to come across backstory - in big flashback scenes or chapters? In threads woven here and there into the main story?
I'm kinda like you. I get all motivated to do the character sheets but sizzle out. I've done some of writing backstory along the way, that won't be used. That works well too. And for me the characters usually develop along the way of writing the story anyways because little ideas pop up along the way.
ReplyDeleteI know flashbacks are supposed to be a huge No No, but I don't mind them.
I'm glad it's not just me. :)
DeleteSome things I usually know right away - what they look like or one of their quirks etc but not always. I learn the most about them as I write the story.
I don't mind flashbacks either, but I do think it depends on how they're done, and how much and for how long the reader is out of the main story.
I agree. Character sheets throw me for a loop. I write fantasy and they just don't seem to apply. I need things like: When did MC's powers manifest not where did she go to school. What's her favorite shoe brand.
ReplyDeleteI have taken to using the backstory approach as well. I've also heard that having an interview with your characters is a good way to flesh them out, though I haven't tried this approach yet.
It might be good once the backstory is written to do an interview and hit the main points that are important to you as an author. It would boil it all down to something easily reviewed and then when your book is ready for release you could use on your blog to interest future readers. ooooo this has potential.
I've heard that same thing about interviewing your characters. We could ask them all those journalism questions - who, what, where, why, when, and how. What do you most want? Who do you hate and why? Who do you love? How did you get here, to this moment, in this story?
DeleteThis is a topic that came up again and again in my writers group. Everyone had a different way of handling things. Me? I still don't know where I stand. I do keep notes about the characters in my stories but they're pretty sketchy at best... and often I don't know what a character is going to be like until the tale is told.
ReplyDeleteI've been reading Jodi Picoult lately and I like the way she handles "flashbacks" - different chapters are told from the point of view of different characters, and at different times. The technique worked really well in The Storyteller.
I enjoyed that book, and I agree about how she handled the technique.
DeleteI know there are different POVs in my ms, but I hadn't really considered having any of them written in anything other than the present day. Hmm....
I've never done well with the character sheets. I write out character backgrounds but I've just never felt like I need to know everything. I do love the character interviews though, I think those are a lot of fun to do. I think you're smart to do what works for you! And I'm so glad Larry and Mrs. Larry didn't end up buried in confetti. :D
ReplyDeleteI never felt like I needed to know everything about my characters but then so many craft books and articles seemed to say otherwise. I'm learning to pick and choose these things and figure out what works for me and my writing process.
DeleteAnd the torts don't mind confetti - they're real party animals. :)
Most of my works are short pieces, but I'm determined to finish a draft of my novel this year. I have sketched out where I want the novel to go, but I'm not organized enough for character sheets.
ReplyDeleteGo for it. Donna! :)
Deletei had to remove a ton of back story before i was done. i only kept what would help the reader know why the characters did some things and condensed as much as i could too. i know what you mean, i know the characters' histories but the reader doesnt need to be bogged down with it... but we need it to have those aha moments!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a matter of picking and choosing what's necessary, or what we think is necessary, in order for the reader to get the most from the story. :)
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