Master Fiction Writing

In this episode, I explore the challenges of "shiny object syndrome", particularly in the context of creative projects. I share my personal experience of being drawn to a new play commission while nearing completion of my novella. I'll delve into the psychological aspects of creativity, the allure of new projects, and practical strategies to maintain focus and commitment to ongoing work, emphasising the importance of self-regulation, intrinsic motivation, and delayed gratification in overcoming distractions and achieving long-term creative goals.

It was great to be interviewed by Sara Gentry about creating characters!

We delve into the significance of character backstory in storytelling, distinguishing between world backstory and character backstory - and emphasising the importance of understanding a character's history to make them relatable and believable.

We talk about how backstory influences character decisions, the necessity of managing multiple characters, and the concept of "minimum viable backstory".

Takeaways

• Backstory is essential for character development.
• Understanding a character's history helps readers connect.
• World backstory and character backstory serve different purposes.
• Characters need relatable motivations to engage readers.
• The complexity of characters can enhance storytelling.
• Managing multiple characters requires varying levels of backstory.
• Minimum viable backstory is crucial for side characters.
• Character reactions should be rooted in their backstory.
• Writers should focus on the cause and effect of character actions.
• Resources like podcasts and courses can aid in character development.

• Unlocking the Secrets of Character Backstory
• The Art of Character Development

• "Stuart is the king of character."
• "Backstory makes somebody feel real."
• "The minimum viable backstory."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Character and Backstory

01:22Understanding Backstory: World vs. Character

04:54 The Importance of Backstory in Storytelling

08:36 Character Consistency and Relatability

13:21 Managing Character Backstories in Complex Narratives

21:47 The Minimum Viable Backstory for Characters

In this conversation, Emma Dhesi and I explore the themes of personal growth, the Four Pillars to Author Success , and the importance of celebrating small wins. We discuss how clients evolve from feeling inexperienced to becoming peers in the coaching process, emphasising the significance of acknowledgment in personal development. Our conversation also highlights the journey of self-improvement and the necessity of recognising progress, no matter how small!

In this episode, I discusses the pros and cons of using multiple points of view (POVs) in writing.

• Point of view (POV) is the narrative perspective that guides the reader through the story.
• Multiple POVs can add depth and complexity to a story, but they also come with potential pitfalls.
• Pitfalls of multiple POVs include character chaos, plot complexity, and reader overwhelm.
• Start with one additional POV before diving into multiple POVs.
• Exercises like character journals, dialogue-only scenes, and POV shifts can help in distinguishing character voices and maintaining distinct perspectives.

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:27 The Allure of Multiple POVs

05:05 Pitfalls of POV Polygamy

06:30 Maintaining Character Voice in Third Person

11:33 Exercises to Hone Your Skills

12:53 It's Your Turn

15:48 Deciding Whether to Use Multiple POVs