It was great to be interviewed by Sara Gentry about creating characters!

We delve into the significance of character backstory in storytelling, distinguishing between world backstory and character backstory - and emphasising the importance of understanding a character's history to make them relatable and believable.

We talk about how backstory influences character decisions, the necessity of managing multiple characters, and the concept of "minimum viable backstory".

Takeaways

• Backstory is essential for character development.
• Understanding a character's history helps readers connect.
• World backstory and character backstory serve different purposes.
• Characters need relatable motivations to engage readers.
• The complexity of characters can enhance storytelling.
• Managing multiple characters requires varying levels of backstory.
• Minimum viable backstory is crucial for side characters.
• Character reactions should be rooted in their backstory.
• Writers should focus on the cause and effect of character actions.
• Resources like podcasts and courses can aid in character development.
• Unlocking the Secrets of Character Backstory
• The Art of Character Development
• "Stuart is the king of character."
• "Backstory makes somebody feel real."
• "The minimum viable backstory."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Character and Backstory

01:22Understanding Backstory: World vs. Character

04:54 The Importance of Backstory in Storytelling

08:36 Character Consistency and Relatability

13:21 Managing Character Backstories in Complex Narratives

21:47 The Minimum Viable Backstory for Characters