Back story. Present story. Hidden story. Every novel has all three. So what are they?
Back story:
Anything that happened to your characters before the novel starts.
Present story:
The series of actions and reactions between the front and back cover.
Hidden story:
The story off stage. The untold scenes and occurrences that don’t make it on the page.
How does back story affect a novel?
Back story determines the characters’ motivations. The characters’ fears. Hang ups. Beliefs. Prejudices. You name it. Back story plays a HUGE roll in every novel. It’s the conglomeration of all that makes a character. Without a back story, the characters are lifeless and flat. Not real. So authors must spend a lot of time on it, even if only bits and pieces make it into the novel.
How does the present story affect a novel?
Umm…..it sort of is the novel. So there ya go.
How does the hidden story affect a novel?
We all know not to start with back story. We know present story must be a series of scenes and sequels. We hear those terms a lot as writers. But hidden story? While the terminology isn’t as well-known, the concept is. At least it should be. Those secondary characters have lives, right? They end up in the same places as our main characters. Like when the hero runs into the heroine’s old boyfriend at the grocery store. Well, how did the old boy friend get there? Why is he there? What’s his story off the page? Every character should have their own story (whether hidden or seen), otherwise we’re left with cardboard. And who likes cardboard?
My epiphany (or more like Rachel Hauck’s epiphany):
My Book Therapy has Monday night chats. I urge you to hightail it to the archives and read. I guarantee you’ll be blown away. One Monday night, while Rachel Hauck and Susan May Warren discussed the role of secondary characters, Rachel said something that stuck with me. She said, Every character must have their own special problem. A problem gives secondary characters depth. It made me think of the hidden story and how we have to pay just as much attention to what’s not on the page as we do to what is on the page.
Questions to Ponder: What part of the narrative trinity do you most enjoy creating? What part do you struggle with the most? Have you heard of the hidden story? Do you give it the attention it deserves?
The Narrative Trinity is a term I havent come across before but it perfect sense…my issue is balancing the three, and I seem to over rely on flashback. Really enjoyed this post.
This is so interesting: I just realized that my current novel has nothing but present story. I'm a present story addict. I'm glad I read this, because my next book will have a lot of back story, but no hidden story, and I agree that it's important, so I'll try to put it in. Thanks!
Had a think about your article and did a quick research, and then tried out the narrative trinity on one of my characters (http://wp.me/p12srI-5D).
Interesting way of looking at the plot and character! Thanks!
I like the backstory and hidden story because when I read I love secrets! I posted on backstory this week too!That must mean backstory is important. 🙂
I love what you said about The Hidden Story- what is left unsaid also has impact
I haven't heard the term "hidden" story. I've linked that concept to back story. Thanks for pointing out it's importance. It's like when you're in a play, and you have a minor character's part, you need to fill in the back story in your mind because the playwright probably didn't give it to you on the page. It's writing "Off the Page!"
Katie, excellent post. And I have never been to My Book Therapy, but will go there when I leave here. Thanks for the heads up, my sweet, awesome, and very loved friend.
As to your post, I love the hidden story. Not all of my characters lives but a lot of it. And then just teasing the reader to make them stay connected to my girls. And every character must have their own special problem. YES! I love this. And doesn't that add more depth. It really makes our stories INTERESTING. You have shown me a lot this evening. And helped me fix a problem I was having with my new story. You rock! *Hugs*
What a great explanation of the different aspects of layering a story! The backstory and hidden story elements are what I think about; the present story is what I write about. And I don't know which one of them is my favourite. I love the whole weaving process. It's like creating a tapestry… every stitch is important. Even when you only see a jumble of threads on the underside, the blending is crucial to the design that appears on the right side.
Great blog! 😀
Hi Katie!! I haven't been by in awhile so I wanted to say hi! How's the school year going? I haven't written fiction so I don't know much about back stories or hidden stories or ANY stories for that matter… but I am getting so EXCITED to read your novel!!! You've clearly worked hard on your craft and I KNOW you'll be successful.
I like creating the hidden story. It's the part of the characters that people don't know, and yet I get the privelage of knowing what makes the secondary and even some of the main characters tick.
Of course the reader will see enough of it for the thing to make sense, but to get to know these characters is really cool.
And I've never heard of the "hidden story" but I sensed it.
All of what I know about my characters can't be put onto the page, therefore some things were bound to be left off. But at least I know how they'll react, and yet the audience will be somewhat surprised, pleasantly, prayerfully. lol
Great post, Katie 🙂
Thanks!
I love My Book Therapy! Those are some smart ladies!
Hi Katie –
The bit about every character having their own problem stood out to me. It made me do a mental rundown of each character.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Great post Katie~ I love The Narrative Trinity. I love the Trinity! (That's also my daughter's name~ go figure)
I think I love the hidden story the most:) I love secrets and uncovering layers.
Oh, my brain hurts now. But you're so right. My problem is that I don't think of all these things as I'm writing. I simply write. And then I have to go back and look at all the stuff I missed. Layers. Yeah, that's what I do. Layers.
GREAT point! I just talked to a young writer about Rachel's service LAST NIGHT!!!
Hmmm. Moving from backstory to present story.
Hope my writing intensifies….
Great post!
Patti
I agree, every character needs a special problem. They can't only be there to make the hero/heroine's life harder/easier or I just don't care about them.
Interesting. Have you read Dorothy L. Sayers's book "The Mind of the Maker"? She presents a different kind of artistic trinity (Idea, Energy, Power). Well worth reading for any writer. And this piece works nicely in tandem with it!
I haven't thought about the hidden story. Thanks for this!
Hidden story…Never heard that term. I suppose I think about it sometimes but not as often as I should. Great summary! 🙂
OOH I love this! I definitely am going to high tail it over there. I hadn't heard about them. And just when I thought I knew it all. 😉
wowser! Very good post!
I love creating present story the best, and my main trouble with backstory is to keep from dumping it into the present story and grinding everything to a halt…I don't know how I do at hidden story…I haven't thought of it in those terms before.
Pondering on a Monday…
Present story gets all my love, but the other two are important. They flesh out the rest.
Great post!
Hope you're school year is going well. 🙂
Wow. You are a gifted teacher,Katie. I'd never read about hidden story before today. Even though I write nf, I think I incorporate all these elements in my characterization. Or do I? I must go back and see! Thanks for helping me grow as a writer.
I might just give hidden story more attention than it deserves. I need to weave it in wisely and not slap it down on the table.
Makes perfect sense for every unique character to have their own problem. Ain't that how it is w/ us? We've all got our weak spots.
Sent you a tweet, but I'll send you Demon when I'm done reading it.
~ Wendy
I love when secondary characters have their own set of goals and problems. It def. makes them more real.
Oooh, this is awesome! Thanks Katie!
Great break down of the story, Katie. I like the concept hidden story. Sometimes hidden story can even be the way that we tease readers by not revealing certain aspects of the backstory until later. I always enjoy reading to find more about the characters past that has shaped them to act the way they are, so I think slowly revealing some of the past is a good way to keep the page turning.
Narrative trinity. I have never heard it called that before. Very cool.
Um, gosh. I think I like backstory.I have to be careful about it though. Cause I like it all so much, the history etc that I want to get it on the page. It can't all get on the page of course. Nor should it. But I enjoy knowing and (if writing fiction( creating it 🙂