Your readers want to know what motivates your characters. Why do they feel a certain way or say a specific way? Why is their action or reaction justified? Readers want to know more. Readers turn the page to find the ‘Why?’

Backstories are the events, experiences, and history that make up a character’s life before the story starts. They shape who they are, why they act the way they do, and what they want out of life. Without a solid backstory, your characters will feel flat and uninteresting, no matter how much witty banter you throw their way.

So, how do you create a compelling backstory for your main characters? Here’s some ways you could use:

Get to know your characters: Before you start writing their backstory, take some time to get to know your characters. What makes them tick? What are their fears, hopes, and dreams? What events in their past have shaped them into the people they are today?

Think about the big picture: Your character’s backstory doesn’t have to be a full biography, but it should give you a sense of their larger story arc. How did they get to where they are when the story starts, and where do they want to go?

Keep it relevant: Your character’s backstory should only include information that’s relevant to the story. Don’t get bogged down in details that don’t add anything to the story or the character’s development.

Make it organic: Your character’s backstory should feel organic to the story. It should flow naturally and be revealed in a way that feels true to the character and the story.

Use it to drive the plot: Your character’s backstory should drive the plot forward. It should inform their motivations, actions, and relationships, and add depth and richness to your story.

Get to know your characters, think about the big picture, and use their backstory to drive the plot forward.

Happy writing!