I've been reading a lot of blogs about writing lately. I'd like for my blog to be more writing-related, but I hate to lose this one for just general ramblings. Hmm. . . Wonder if there's a way to have both on my website? I guess I'll ask my long-suffering webmistress. :)

My new heroine is Kennedy Marshall and she's really coming alive for me. As things happen through the day, the thought - Kennedy would think so and so about this - flashes through my mind. That's when I know I'm actually getting into the character. Either that or I'm certifiably crazy, depending on if you're asking my writing friends or the "normals" in my life.

When I'm starting a new story, I sit down and do a background sheet for my main characters. Once I have that info down, the temptation begins. Have you ever tried to sprinkle garlic powder or cinnamon on something, only to have the plastic hole-thingie come off? Yuck! That's me with my first draft. I'm overcome with a desire to share with the reader everything I know about my protagonist. . . in the FIRST chapter. Sometimes even on the FIRST page. :) I fight it though, and rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, slashing out those paragraphs of backstory, saving them for later to be sprinkled in a little at a time. It's hard, but in the end it's worth it.

If you're a writer struggling with this, my best suggestion is to print out your story and highlight the parts that are "filling the reader in" on backstory. They should be small sections scattered sparingly (check out that alliteration!) through your manuscript. It's much more appetizing that way!

For you writers out there, how do you stop yourself from falling prey to this temptation? Click on "Post a Comment" and share your solutions. :) Readers, how do you feel when you're drawn out of the story by a long segment of backstory? Enquiring minds want to know.