@tomlewis4748

You mention a couple of things about backstory I agree with: 1) don't use too much, 2) make it relevant to the main story. There are also good suggestions for how to get in and out of flashbacks.

I'm not saying you imply that it does, but a well-done backstory does not impede the forward motion of a story. That would be underthinking it. It is forward motion itself, directly in the story. Well done, it's just an earlier part of the story that appears later in the story, for strategic purposes. It's still part of the main story and it's still moving forward. If done properly, the forward motion of the reader getting the story is not impeded at all. Piecing together bits of knowledge nonlinearly is what all of us do all of the time in real life. We're good at that. Maybe not in 1823, but certainly in 2023.

So the suggestion should not be 'don't use a lot of backstory', it should be 'use whatever is needed but do it well'. And place it well. Well-placed and well-done elements of story will transcend all suggestions against them, and all imaginary rules.

What is frustrating is when a 'teaching guru' says 'backstory is bad' and out of the other side of their mouth they say 'in medias res is good'. I'd love to see them write a story starting 'in medias res' and not include backstory. Fundamentally, technically impossible, which makes it obvious they are full of what the little birds once ate.

It also depends on the genre. James Scott Bell says 'little or no backstory, especially at the beginning' (yet he does it himself), and while he is a brilliant writer and teacher, my best guess why he says this is bc he writes thrillers. In a thriller, it's best if everything moves directly toward and points directly to the final climactic moments of the story. Readers of thrillers are not fond of backstory and want you to get the heck on with it. The destination is much more important than the journey.

In a courtship love story, the journey is much more important than the destination. We know what the destination is 95% of the time, the second we see the 'lovers meet' scene. The route can be a bit more circuitous, including backstory if well done. 'Will they-won't they' is not really the goal. Seeing how they get there, is.

I do vigorously disagree with 'no backstory early'. I believe that minimal exposition and an inciting incident and getting the reader to bond with the character followed by a glimpse over the threshold into the extraordinary world should typically go first, but at that point you are still on the access road about to turn into the onramp, going only about 45. The story is idling up and not going 80 just yet. That turns out to be a perfect place for certain kinds of backstory. You basically schmooze the reader into wanting to know more, and then you give them what they want.

@sevagaddala1079

Another way to avoid the “baggy middle” is to make this the point where the protoganist and antagonist are engaged in a series of attacks and counterattacks. And these attacks by the antagonist increase in intensity therefore constantly raising the stakes. In a romantic comedy the “baggy middle” can be resolved by making this the point the hero has to contend with the suitors vying for the lover. And there is an increase in fights and misunderstanding between the hero and lover.

@sammyb528

This was so immensely helpful. I’m really going to take this all to heart and use it to fix the issues I’ve been having in my novel with flow, causality and structure. Thanks so much for making these videos! ❤

@kathym4142

I dislike the most common story structures bc they are too predictable for me and focus more on plot then characters, so for me (my stories are fully character centric) they don't work. I used to use The Hero's Journey but now I write in format of episodes that each have their story but all the events link to each other. That way I never have the full closure ending bc I hate the idea of sth ending fully so I found my way around it lol
I'm pretty aware this won't do well for publishing, but I'm a hobby writer anyway and I do it for the passion of it and maybe to one day make an episode for an animated series based on one of my books. Great video as always! :D

@Murderface666

In the book I'm writing, there is a major character that exists. He's already established in this world with power and whatnot. Then something (call it "Trigger A") he observed happened, which opens the door to his backstory of how he came to be. At the end of the backstory, the origin of Trigger A is revealed. Back to present time (this point on), Trigger A is a more significant subplot intertwined with the main plot, enhancing its purpose with the ability to branch into something bigger later.

@rachelthompson9324

seat of the pants writers have a lot more trouble when they don't understand how structures work. Plotters design it in advance which doesn't mean there isn't room for creativity and invention while writing. Its not an either or thing. No matter how you write it ain't a story without structure. My advice to discovery writers is to load the principles of structure into your gray matter.  Steep your brain in the concepts before you turn your pantsing loose. If you won't plot, fine, but if you understand how it works editing for structure will save the book. The more you understand structure deep down, like Steven King (who doesn't plot), the easier it is to make the story work as you write and edit it.

@Hurlburton

Loved the video I learned alot I didn't know I will come back to this restaurant The meals are delicious Thank you very much

@cindyjoyner1426

Very helpful! Thanks so much!😊

@madelineanderson-balmer2734

Dealing with a lot of backstory in one now. Because the incite event happens later, but people wanted to know more about how the group met, why they were who they were etc. Will probably edit out 1/3 of the story as is when I finish.

@vCoralSandsv

Another great video! Thanks for sharing.

@u_t_d_s_h-1_a

Software programs do exist to help novelists with structure, they should consult some of the prominent ones...

@gregorykollarus8190

Ty love ur vids

@lakeshagadson357

I could be like a book write whatever you want to in me let me be your diary

@rosieradcliffe5578

Shaelin I love your helpful videos but you talk SO fast that I struggle to sort out what you're saying. Could you slow down a bit for us non Americans who aren't necessarily used to the accent?

@alifzvas4618

What a difficult accent you have !