Writing Lmao I didn't think of my characters backstory (I don't know how to write one)

[SSR]

(Me when I realize I don't know how to write a backstory)

Ya so kinda self-explanetory, I've been so caught up writing all the action and settings that I forgot 'wait, wtf is my mc's backstory!?'. I've had so much excitment for wriitng this ol fanfic of myine (seeing how it's my first piece of writing I've down) that I forgot I barely know how to write one. So, I'm here to seek guidance on how to well, write a good backstory and cause of death (cause htat's how the story even starts). I have the ideas for it but my ass can't...type it out? If that makes sense. I just wanted my poor mc to have a intense death that still effects him in the long run. Also his girl I want to make a lil yanderey so I wanna see how to get that into it. My thingy is called Live a life: Hunting through the multiverse if you wanna read it.

 

[Indicterra]

Damn did I just saw sad Keanu meme in 2024, I still remember how viral it was back in reddit 14ish years ago.

 

[Tsuru]

View attachment 30511
(Me when I realize I don't know how to write a backstory)

Ya so kinda self-explanetory, I've been so caught up writing all the action and settings that I forgot 'wait, wtf is my mc's backstory!?'. I've had so much excitment for wriitng this ol fanfic of myine (seeing how it's my first piece of writing I've down) that I forgot I barely know how to write one. So, I'm here to seek guidance on how to well, write a good backstory and cause of death (cause htat's how the story even starts). I have the ideas for it but my ass can't...type it out? If that makes sense. I just wanted my poor mc to have a intense death that still effects him in the long run. Also his girl I want to make a lil yanderey so I wanna see how to get that into it. My thingy is called Live a life: Hunting through the multiverse if you wanna read it.

Be normal past life, is also a great backstory.

 

[Tempokai]

Spoiler

Ah, the age-old conundrum of crafting a backstory—akin to a chef realizing they’ve prepared a gourmet meal but forgot to buy the ingredients. Fear not, dear aspiring novelist! Here’s a guide to spinning a backstory that even the most clueless of heroes could follow.

### Step 1: **Identify the Origin Story**

Every protagonist needs an origin story—a pivotal event or sequence of events that shaped them into the person they are today. Did they survive a catastrophic event, suffer an unbearable loss, or perhaps were bitten by the proverbial radioactive spider? The cause of death you're pondering? Make it as melodramatic as possible—it's a backstory, not a tax return.

- **Tip:** Jot down five key events in your character’s life. They don’t have to make sense yet; we’ll get to that.

### Step 2: **Trauma is Your Friend**

Let’s face it, no one wants to read about a character who had a perfectly happy childhood with loving parents and a golden retriever named Max. People crave trauma and adversity because it makes characters relatable, and it gives readers a reason to root for them.

- **Exercise:** Create a list of possible tragic events (betrayals, losses, failures). Pick one that resonates with the core of your story. Go ahead, embrace the inner sadist.

### Step 3: **Motivations and Flaws**

What drives your character? Revenge, love, or just the pure thrill of running through the multiverse? Maybe they just want a decent cup of coffee. Whatever it is, link this motivation back to their backstory. Similarly, develop some flaws—nobody likes Mr. Perfect, not even in fiction.

- **Task:** Write down three motivations and three flaws for your character, connecting each to an event from their past.

### Step 4: **Interweave Relationships**

Since you've mentioned an interest in a "yandere" girlfriend, relationships are clearly pivotal. How do these connections relate to your character's backstory? Was their mentor a surrogate parent, or did their best friend become their worst enemy?

- **Suggestion:** Craft a short paragraph for each key relationship in your character’s life, explaining how they began and evolved.

### Step 5: **A Sprinkle of Mystery**

Leave something mysterious about your character’s backstory. Maybe they have a past they can’t quite remember or a secret they’re unwilling to share. Readers love playing detective, piecing together the puzzle.

- **Pro Tip:** Introduce a mysterious element in their past. It can be a lost memory, a hidden power, or an unrevealed connection to a major plot point.

### Step 6: **The First Draft is Garbage**

Accept that your first attempt at a backstory will be utter rubbish. Embrace it. The backstory doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to exist. You can always go back and add layers once your characters start telling you what you did wrong.

### Step 7: **Feedback and Iteration**

Once you have a draft, let it simmer for a bit. Get feedback from friends, fellow writers, or that nosy neighbor who always seems to have an opinion on everything. Use their feedback to refine your backstory.

### Bonus: **Integrate Your Backstory Subtly**

Now that you have a backstory, don’t dump it all at once like a deluge of unwanted exposition. Sprinkle it throughout your narrative like a skilled chef adding just the right amount of seasoning to a dish. Trust me, your readers will thank you.

And there you have it! Your very own guide to constructing a backstory that will keep your readers engaged, your plot moving, and your protagonist deliciously tormented by their past. Now go forth and give your main character the tragic, convoluted history they deserve!

P.S. backstories are not essential for the story unless you really want to do it. People will happily go well with minimal backstory of MC.

 

[2wordsperminute]

Could be anything from the classic "hit by a truck while trying to save a child that wandered into the road" to "a teacher who died protecting their students from someone who broke in."

 

[Tsuru]

Spoiler

Ah, the age-old conundrum of crafting a backstory—akin to a chef realizing they’ve prepared a gourmet meal but forgot to buy the ingredients. Fear not, dear aspiring novelist! Here’s a guide to spinning a backstory that even the most clueless of heroes could follow.

### Step 1: **Identify the Origin Story**

Every protagonist needs an origin story—a pivotal event or sequence of events that shaped them into the person they are today. Did they survive a catastrophic event, suffer an unbearable loss, or perhaps were bitten by the proverbial radioactive spider? The cause of death you're pondering? Make it as melodramatic as possible—it's a backstory, not a tax return.

- **Tip:** Jot down five key events in your character’s life. They don’t have to make sense yet; we’ll get to that.

### Step 2: **Trauma is Your Friend**

Let’s face it, no one wants to read about a character who had a perfectly happy childhood with loving parents and a golden retriever named Max. People crave trauma and adversity because it makes characters relatable, and it gives readers a reason to root for them.

- **Exercise:** Create a list of possible tragic events (betrayals, losses, failures). Pick one that resonates with the core of your story. Go ahead, embrace the inner sadist.

### Step 3: **Motivations and Flaws**

What drives your character? Revenge, love, or just the pure thrill of running through the multiverse? Maybe they just want a decent cup of coffee. Whatever it is, link this motivation back to their backstory. Similarly, develop some flaws—nobody likes Mr. Perfect, not even in fiction.

- **Task:** Write down three motivations and three flaws for your character, connecting each to an event from their past.

### Step 4: **Interweave Relationships**

Since you've mentioned an interest in a "yandere" girlfriend, relationships are clearly pivotal. How do these connections relate to your character's backstory? Was their mentor a surrogate parent, or did their best friend become their worst enemy?

- **Suggestion:** Craft a short paragraph for each key relationship in your character’s life, explaining how they began and evolved.

### Step 5: **A Sprinkle of Mystery**

Leave something mysterious about your character’s backstory. Maybe they have a past they can’t quite remember or a secret they’re unwilling to share. Readers love playing detective, piecing together the puzzle.

- **Pro Tip:** Introduce a mysterious element in their past. It can be a lost memory, a hidden power, or an unrevealed connection to a major plot point.

### Step 6: **The First Draft is Garbage**

Accept that your first attempt at a backstory will be utter rubbish. Embrace it. The backstory doesn’t have to be perfect; it just needs to exist. You can always go back and add layers once your characters start telling you what you did wrong.

### Step 7: **Feedback and Iteration**

Once you have a draft, let it simmer for a bit. Get feedback from friends, fellow writers, or that nosy neighbor who always seems to have an opinion on everything. Use their feedback to refine your backstory.

### Bonus: **Integrate Your Backstory Subtly**

Now that you have a backstory, don’t dump it all at once like a deluge of unwanted exposition. Sprinkle it throughout your narrative like a skilled chef adding just the right amount of seasoning to a dish. Trust me, your readers will thank you.

And there you have it! Your very own guide to constructing a backstory that will keep your readers engaged, your plot moving, and your protagonist deliciously tormented by their past. Now go forth and give your main character the tragic, convoluted history they deserve!

P.S. backstories are not essential for the story unless you really want to do it. People will happily go well with minimal backstory of MC.

+1

basically what i said

 

[Plantorsomething]

View attachment 30511
(Me when I realize I don't know how to write a backstory)

Ya so kinda self-explanetory, I've been so caught up writing all the action and settings that I forgot 'wait, wtf is my mc's backstory!?'. I've had so much excitment for wriitng this ol fanfic of myine (seeing how it's my first piece of writing I've down) that I forgot I barely know how to write one. So, I'm here to seek guidance on how to well, write a good backstory and cause of death (cause htat's how the story even starts). I have the ideas for it but my ass can't...type it out? If that makes sense. I just wanted my poor mc to have an intense death that still effects him in the long run. Also his girl I want to make a lil yanderey so I wanna see how to get that into it. My thingy is called Live a life: Hunting through the multiverse if you wanna read it.

The way I see backstories is that they’re the context for MC’s behavior, particularly their beliefs and their fears if they aren’t hero’s journey esque blank slates with a happy life. In the latter case, the rest of the story is about how they form the beliefs that define them.

 

[Daitengu]

There's multiple ways of making a background that I've seen people use. Especially if it's just for reference by you, the author to flavor the characters beyond bland.

There's filling out a ttrpg sheet route like a D&D character sheet.

There's the vruber debut route. Which is origin, likes, dislikes, skills and talents, and goals. All just written down.

Frank Herbert tended to just have a pile of notes.

Heck you could even use a resume and dating app templates.

The format doesn't matter so long as you have enough info on the character that it can help guide you in writing that character's interactions with people and the world. The reader doesn't need to see the background, as it's a guidepost for you. Things like "is a light weight with booze" doesn't need to be said, as we'll find out if they get drunk off one or two drinks. Autistic, ADHD, sociopath, psychopath, extrovert, easily jealous, needs external validation.etc.

Let's take Luffy from One Piece for example:
Origin - Son the revolution army leader Monkey D Dragon. Likes pirates because of Shanks, who lost his arm saving Luffy from a shark.

Likes - meat, feasts, his friends, fun people, and nice people.

Dislikes - people who endanger his friends, people who talk shit, evil people.

Traits- rubber man from eating the gomu gomu devil fruit. Simple minded. Free Spirit. Loyal to the point of risking death for friends. Is a bleeding heart lead by emotion. Has a stamina based on how well fed he is. Rather asexual to the point even devil fruit charm doesn't affect him.

Weaknesses - sea water because of the devil fruit. Math, history, manners, general knowledge. Hard headed to to point of risking his life needlessly.

Goals - obtain the One Piece. Help friends and people he likes. Eat good food. Have fun and adventure.