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In This issue...
Character Formation and Backstory
By Bruce L. Cook
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Note: This newsletter ("Publishing New Writers") has over 15,000 subscribers on Linkedin.com
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Character Formation and Backstory
By Bruce L. Cook
When developing a novel, do your characters take shape as you write?
When you started, each character you planned had a role. But didn't the story make them different along the way?
At the start, characters are like stick figures or greyed-in forms. For example, think of a story with four. characters setting off on a cruise. In your plan, Character 1 mysteriously disappears, leaving the other three to look for the lost soul. Imagine that the lost soul is a glamorous 25-year-old dancer.
If character 2 (a strong handsome fellow) has been hanging out with her on the cruise, the story changes, especially if she is my married to Character 3 (a skinny intellectual) who loves her dearly.
As the story emerges, Character 4 (an affable gambler) has developed a strong attraction for Character 3, the skinny intellectual who is married to Character 1.
At the start of your story, these characters seem fixed in their personality traits. However. Chances are they will evolve as the story continues.
Here's where characters make a difference. For example, the skinny intellectual might become a brutal enemy to the guy who is stealing his girl. While he seemed mild at first, he might have retreated into drunkenness or even a meditative retreat, and this would create major changes in his character. Now he endured extreme resentment and anger, especially when fueled by alcohol.
At this point, your web of four characters has changed.
In another scenario, the writer may decide to add a new character. If this happens during the story, it's wise to go back a few chapters and insert something to prepare for this development. Further, the new character will need to connect solidly with other characters and story events.
Further, especially in a long story, the writer has access to another important character tool - the backstory. Here, at any point in the story, it's possible for the narrative to delve back to the past for each character. This will add even more depth. When you introduce a new character or have an existing one do something unexpected, think of adding something earlier in the story to hint in that direction. This creates a tighter weave of story elements.
Think of a time machine. With a time machine, the writer can insert chapter/s going back in time to explain why a character is facing challenges now.
Nothing in a story is as important as its character. Considering character changes and backstories, it’s like managing several participants in a choral performance. As the musical theme works its way through the concert, the result will have maximum impact.
Hopefully, these ideas will help to suggest new approaches to make writing even more enjoyable.
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Publishing New Writers,
February, 2026 (vol. 27, no. 2)
Publisher:
Dr. Bruce L. Cook
1407 Getzelman Drive
Elgin, IL 60123
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