How I Write: Backstory Matters.

I have been struggling a bit with my outline for book 2 while I continue my search for a developmental editor for book 1.

And I realized on Sunday why I’m struggling.  I do not really know everything that happens “off-page” yet. The vague ideas I had in book 1 no longer suffice.

That is a problem.

Yesterday, I pulled up my short “Lore” document that I worked on during book 1.  It explores the origins of Avalon and how the Isle came to be.

I expanded on the existing lore, and then began adding backstory for the larger events that happen before book 1, and during book 1.

It has been a revelation. And has opened many new paths for me to explore in book 2.

The document started off at about 1,000 words, and now sits at nearly 7,000.  I am guessing it will be nearly 10,000 when I have finished enough of it to feel ready to continue outlining.

I am telling myself parts of my story for the first time. I am learning as I go, and letting my characters show me who they are beyond what I knew three days ago. It has invigorated my love for this story.

This may not be a new idea for some people, but for me it has been life changing.

I am writing the “origins” much more casually than I write my novels. I am allowing my natural snark and zingers to go onto the page. It is not something I would consider publishing. But it is something I will likely print out and bind and carry with me from workspace to workspace and use as a constant source of inspiration.

This is the “Iceberg” theory of writing in its most pristine state.

Instead of berating myself for not thinking of this sooner, I am just going to enjoy the journey of finishing it.

I encourage you to try it if you are struggling as I was. Open a fresh document and just start telling yourself all the things that happen off-page. Tell yourself why one of your characters always cries at inopportune times.  Tell yourself why your villain is as seemingly evil as she is. Or even that she is not that evil.

Tell yourself the backstory.

And then tell the world the story that only you can write.

You have to know where you’ve been.

Then, you can be assured of where you’re going.