How to Keep Your Readers Engaged by Avoiding Backstory Dumps

What is Backstory?

Backstory is the additional information you provide which is usually in a different time setting to your main story. It involves going back in the past to tell the reader something you think they needs to know in order to understand current day events. But as we see below, backstory doesn't always work, and can drag your story away from its true focus.

Overuse of backstory is particularly destructive when you've worked hard to pull the reader in from the beginning.

Limit Your Backstory

Backstory is seen as a dirty word in publishing, and does come with the unfortunate tag BS—or is that just me? But it does have its uses. If you're aiming for the mass market, I'd advise to use with caution. Overuse of backstory is particularly destructive when you've worked hard to pull the reader in from the beginning. You have a hook that goes something like this.

It was the best day of Burt the pit bull's life when he learned to talk.

Now he could tell everyone the truth about those picket fences.

Radical Rouge had been owned by a wealthy couple who lived somewhere out back of Tallahassee Bridge.

And then for no earthly good reason, you start warbling into another dimension with:

He'd been born the runt of the litter to a pedigree prize winner called Radical Rouge and Miss Ethel Ready. Radical Rouge had been owned by a wealthy couple who lived somewhere out back of Tallahassee Bridge.

The wealthy couple were called Marty and Marta. Although they had no children, rumours flew regularly among the neighbours over the physical similarities between them. Ms Ethel Ready...

Whoa! Back up!

Avoid the Backstory Maze

See what just happened?

In five short sentences you've brought in Burt's parentage, his parents’ parentage, a different country/state, some icky implications, and switched the focus of interest to a completely different life form! As for your two opening lines? That first hook?

Completely wasted.

Backstory is one of the new writer's favourite comfort zones.

I won't lie to you; if I pick this up it's going to take a hell of a lot of talent to pull me back into the mix. If you can't leave it alone then put it a little further into the story.

Backstory is one of the new writers favourite comfort zones. It's one of those few things we can do well without even trying. Apparently we lapse into it with our eyes closed. And I suppose if you don't know that you're doing it, it's a very simple thing to do.

The only problem is that for many, a little can turn into a lot at warp speed.

Get someone to read your backstory and and ask them what they think it's about. They don't need to give you a thesis: it could be something like "Is it about a man who loses his fortune and leaves home?" Or "There's been a crime in the area and the wrong person is going to get the blame."

If they don't mention anything to do with your actual story, you've got some work to do. Give your backstory meaning and keep the reader turning the pages to the present "Ah..." moment.

Ask yourself, what do I want the reader to really know? Make a connection to your real story and keep your reader engaged.