Character Development: Why Backstory is so Important

Question: Do we really have to write a backstory for every character?

Answer: You are the writer, the one in charge, which means you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. However, there are some major benefits to doing character studies for each of the character’s who might appear in your story. While you’re doing your character sketch you are in the mind of that character long enough to really think about their life. What were that person’s goals, flaws, hates, fears, secrets and dreams? If you take the time to get to know your characters, your memory is refreshed and you begin to tell a more integrated story.

The place I find myself pulling character sketches out most is when I’m stuck in a scene that lacks energy. I look at what I’ve written and then throw a new concept into the scene. I pretend the character’s secret, greatest fear or biggest dream has just walked in the door. Then I have the character’s respond to each other. The scene usually takes off and I know what to write.

You may even want to cross off characteristics from your sketch as you add them to your story. Your character is fully developed by the end and you know you haven’t repeated yourself.