<p>It was great to be interviewed by Sara Gentry about creating characters!</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>We talk about how backstory influences character decisions, the necessity of managing multiple characters, and the concept of "minimum viable backstory".</p>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Takeaways</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Backstory is essential for character development.</li>
<li>Understanding a character's history helps readers connect.</li>
<li>World backstory and character backstory serve different purposes.</li>
<li>Characters need relatable motivations to engage readers.</li>
<li>The complexity of characters can enhance storytelling.</li>
<li>Managing multiple characters requires varying levels of backstory.</li>
<li>Minimum viable backstory is crucial for side characters.</li>
<li>Character reactions should be rooted in their backstory.</li>
<li>Writers should focus on the cause and effect of character actions.</li>
<li>Resources like podcasts and courses can aid in character development.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Unlocking the Secrets of Character Backstory</li>
<li>The Art of Character Development</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>"Stuart is the king of character."</li>
<li>"Backstory makes somebody feel real."</li>
<li>"The minimum viable backstory."</li>
</ul>
<p><br /></p>
<p><strong>Chapters</strong></p>
<p>00:00 Introduction to Character and Backstory</p>
<p>01:22Understanding Backstory: World vs. Character</p>
<p>04:54 The Importance of Backstory in Storytelling</p>
<p>08:36 Character Consistency and Relatability</p>
<p>13:21 Managing Character Backstories in Complex Narratives</p>
<p>21:47 The Minimum Viable Backstory for Characters</p>
