Daily Digest: How Much is Too Much Backstory?

Daily Digest: How Much is Too Much Backstory?

Readers want backstory information on characters and events. Having the right amount of backstory is tough, especially when you have so much great material to choose from. So, how much backstory should you include AND how do you effectively add it to the story? Backstory helps create complexity in your characters. [Like an iceberg], ninety percent of any given character … lies beneath the surface. —Megan Burkhart First, Let’s Look at the Pros and Cons of Backstory.

Story Circle: Star Wars, A New Hope

Story Circle: Star Wars, A New Hope

In a previous post we talked about Dan Harmon’s Story Circle. Below is the  “Circle” applied to the movie: Star Wars, A New Hope (1977) Star Wars Story Circle A Character’s Zone of Comfort or Familiarity. For Leia, that is the opening scene, which isn’t roses and sunshine. She’s already deeply entrenched in the Rebellion on a Mission to Alderaan. For Luke, he’s on Tatooine and not exactly happy with life on the desert planet being a “moisture farmer.”

Using the Story Circle to meet New Years Resolutions

Using the Story Circle to meet New Years Resolutions

A New Journey Begins —  Everything follows a Story Circle: novels, movies and life. We want something. Sometimes it is easy to attain, others feel elusive or just out of our reach. The old year is coming to a close and a new bright year will dawn full of expectations. When writing, you must have a clear idea on how you plan to achieve your goal every day, from Jan 1 to Dec 31.

Inspiration for your Writing: Getting to know your Characters

Inspiration for your Writing: Getting to know your Characters

Happy Tuesday, I’ve been spending a lot of time writing, re-writing, editing this month. Last week, I had an epiphany which put my writing in perspective. Currently, I am writing a new WIP, Nellie Stockbridge Mystery, and an old work entitled Woman in a Pale Dress – a MS I completed “ages” ago, but was such a mess I threw it in a drawer. While writing on both, at different times during the day, I discovered a startling difference between…

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Daily Digest: The Story Circle

Daily Digest: The Story Circle

Happy Thursday, everyone. I am doing my Daily Digest early as I may be knee deep into my writing tomorrow morning. Had a long session yesterday, and am a little “fuzzy,” so not as much writing getting done today, despite lots of caffeine. I ran across a great article while researching Dan Harmon’s Story Circle. Every storyline uses this model. Those that deviate are called adaptations, but they still have the bones of the Story Circle.