tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post1844885536162825946..comments2024-03-18T15:15:52.347-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: Battling Backstory, Part IJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-54503347488643656592010-08-06T17:20:22.782-04:002010-08-06T17:20:22.782-04:00Weldon and Joanne, tune in next week, when Part 2 ...Weldon and Joanne, tune in next week, when Part 2 will take on backstory delivered in dialogue. <br /><br />I'm glad you like where this is headed, Weldon. I hope you'll learn something as we head to the final destination...wherever that may be!Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-1129949989083077182010-08-06T12:03:05.480-04:002010-08-06T12:03:05.480-04:00Humph. Weldon got here before me. What he said. I ...Humph. Weldon got here before me. What he said. I agree with his conclusions.JM Reinboldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04193395612381968924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-33526087826012843142010-08-06T11:46:23.710-04:002010-08-06T11:46:23.710-04:00I think backstory should almost be subliminal, add...I think backstory should almost be subliminal, added as the story progresses via dialogue, action, narrative, whatever means--as long as it keeps the story moving. Case in point, I just saw Inception last weekend. The backstory was woven throughout the plot, from different POVs, nearly up to the last scene. Superbly effective!<br /><br />For some reason, many writers seem to think the backstory must be shared as early as possible in a novel, and many try to plow it all into the first chapter. Big mistake. I think the best way to handle backstory is through the characters' dialogue and actions, not through the narrator, as the story moves along. That can be tricky with third party omniscient, but I find that a better alternative than first person because the backstory can then be told from different POVs. <br /><br />I like where you're headed with this, Ramona!Weldon Burgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14671824818824669213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-62100453557533633342010-08-06T09:03:50.202-04:002010-08-06T09:03:50.202-04:00Who knows, this might turn into a group story. As ...Who knows, this might turn into a group story. As Elaine pointed out, most stories are, to some degree.<br /><br />I like your rewrite, Jim. Show, not tell. That's how you do it. If she said it aloud, that's even better. <br /><br />There is something wonky about this missing flashlight.Ramonahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00627775403015684868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-80476045457981998792010-08-06T07:08:52.583-04:002010-08-06T07:08:52.583-04:00Of the two illustrated versions, the second approa...Of the two illustrated versions, the second approach gives more insight into Jane's character as we get to understand her a bit through her thoughts about her partner.<br /><br />Is the information important? Probably. Needed immediately? Probably not.<br /><br />Just as an example, showing Mark checking his appearance in the mirror after he took his swim and having Jane think <i>he always does that, I wish he'd be more concerned about losing the flashlight and less about his good looks</i> would hint at the same issues and leave the reader asking for more.<br /><br />It will be interesting to read what other folks think on this issue. Thanks Ramona.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-33389853470724077762010-08-06T07:02:59.027-04:002010-08-06T07:02:59.027-04:00I love this post Ramona and the endless possibilit...I love this post Ramona and the endless possibilities of your subject. As a writer, those possibilities excite me, and yet can also frustrate me. I've used third person omni in my current novel. One of my critique partners pointed out that using this POV actually dilutes the story. What I thought was a plus, turned out to be a disadvantage. Seems in mystery writing, it takes a village too!E. B. Davishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16746747050278597888noreply@blogger.com