Character backstory is something that novelists and gamers alike have to deal with from time to time. Some people are convinced it is a waste of time, that all they need to know about a character is happening in the here and now. Others contend that backstory is of utmost importance when fleshing out a character. Yet, even if you are pro-backstory and have been writing or gaming for years, dealing with your characters' pasts can be a daunting mission. Here are a few helpful tips to ensure that the process runs more smoothly.
First, create a character sheet. To some, this seems counter-intuitive, but most people generally get an idea of what their character is like today and work backward. A character sheet is a traditional gaming device for keeping up with the many aspects of character, such as physical traits, abilities and personality. If you are a writer and have never gamed, it would be worth your while to check out how a character sheet is made and use some version of it in your character files. The main advantage of the character sheet is that it enables the writer to organize aspects of the character for easy reference.
Second, make lists. If this is a Dungeons and Dragons character who is deadly with a crossbow but has a hard time swimming, simply make a list of reasons he may have each skills, and how he may have gotten those skills. If you are a novelist working with a homicide detective, ask yourself all the reasons he or she may have become a cop in the first place. Make such a list for each individual skill and attitude, including how the skill was learned or the attitude formed, and experiences he or she might have had as a result of developing that particular skill or attitude. The lists don't have to be very long, maybe three to six points. Again, this works well with both gaming characters and fiction characters.
Third, go over your lists until something rings true. During the course of making your lists, you may notice patterns arising. Chances are, you won't really need to make a list for each and every single item in your character's goodie bag, because the story will begin forming in your head of its own accord. If that doesn't happen the first time you try it, it will probably happen soon after.
Eventually, you will most likely be able to create character backstory without the use of lists at all. You will simply know why your character developed a certain skill or attitude as soon as you ask yourself the question. Once you have a little practice, character backstories will seem to write themselves, and you will wonder how you ever functioned without them.
Rhonda Leigh Jones - I think I may have become a professional writer by accident. I graduated college and the next thing I knew, I had 11 years' experience as ...
