A backstory is the backbone of your character. The main question you should try to answer is: "How did they grow up to become who they are today?" For this, you must explore the way their past influences their present. In this article, we'll share some tips to get you started on writing good backstories!
Before we begin, remember that a good backstory doesn't mean a long backstory. In fact, long backstories can be quite a burden. For example, in TTRPG, your GM will struggle to remember every little detail of your character. Your backstory should be comprehensive, but also concise.
Go by the book
Literally; you don't need to start from scratch. As Carl Sagan would say: "If you wish to bake a pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." Don't shy away from getting ideas from books, movies, or other media!
For instance, in Dungeons & Dragons, you can base yourself on content regarding character creation on the Player's Handbook. Also, you can use the Dungeon Master's Guide and the Monter's Manual for further inspiration.
This method applies to tabletop games, video games, and worldbuilding. Not every work has its own book, but there's a vast collection of other works to get you started. If you're creating a fantasy character, for example, you may fetch some inspiration in Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter.
Short backstory? Good backstory
Avoid writing entire biographies. Unless you're a fan of that, list the most relevant events, relationships, and personality traits that are going to be used in the story. After all, a backstory is the foundation of storytelling; there must be a story to tell.
Hyperspecific information may just go to waste, which can be very frustrating for the writer. It may seem tempting to write an enormous backstory once you get on the rhythm, but it is best to focus that energy on other creative outlets.
Find out "why"
As Brazilian philosopher Mario Sérgio Cortella would say: science worries itself with the "how", not the "why". For example, it can describe "how" a fatal heart attack happened (blockages, spasms, tears, etc.). But "why" did the person suffer a heart attack? Well, science doesn't try to answer that.
But this is precisely the reason that you should try to answer it. We're writing fiction, after all. So, back to our poor heart-attacked person: why did they suffer it? Is it going to advance the story? Perhaps it is a canon event that must happen for another character to grow?
Think about fundamental questions of ambition, emotion, and personality. Why did they join the party? Why do they act they way they do? Why do they love who they love? Great questions to fuel even greater answers.
Don't wander off
As we've discussed earlier, characters need to serve a purpose in the story; even tertiary or background characters have their purpose. So, what this means is that your backstory must be related to the plot.
For instance, in Dungeons & Dragons, if you create a character that has no link whatsoever to the campaign, both you and the GM will struggle to make them fit into the story. It'll feel rather pointless to roleplay them.
Perhaps your character overheard an intriguing secret that reveals crucial information. Or, they had a parent harmed at the hands of the villain. Worse yet, perhaps they are the villain themselves, but have yet to notice.
Write about their relationships
Writing about your character means writing about other characters as well. It may seem counterintuitive, but a character can't exist by themselves; they need a relationship. Even gods need worshippers!
Think about it, relationships are the character's attachment to the world. Who are their parents? Perhaps they worked closely to a key figure in the plot. Do they have any siblings? Is can be an amicable kinship or something... hostile. Develop important people—for bad and for good—such as lovers, friends, mentors, pupils, acquaintances, and more.
A good backstory is dramatic
Drama can be defined as "an exciting, emotional, or unexpected series of events or set of circumstances." So, drama doesn't mean only tragedy; your character needn't be an orphan that grew as an urchin on the streets—they can be, they just don't need to.
On the other hand, being an "average Joe" can make your story quite dull. Compelling backstories involves compelling emotions; ponder about their fears, their hopes, their shames.
Interview your character
Interviews are straight-forward ways to get to know someone. Quick, precise questions that can reveal a lot in few words. Since writing and worldbuilding relies on imagination, take it a step further and pretend you are interviewing ytour character.
If you don't know where to start with these questions, we've created a blog article featuring 50 questions to ask your character. These questions range from personality and appearance to relationship and values.
A good backstory is...
Writing a backstory is easy, writing a good backstory is a whole different matter. Your novel or campaign may have a promising plot, but only characters can deliver on these promises; and they, well, they need backstories.
Now, go forth and write a memorable and unique character that enhances whatever narrative that they are inserted in. Good luck!
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