What is backstory in writing?

Backstory refers to the characters’ history and other story elements that underlie the situation at the start of the book. Backstory helps to establish the setting and makes the reader care about what happens to the characters.

How long is character backstory?

The rule of thumb is that you have 25-words to get their attention. Then, once you have their attention, you need to be able to keep it, all the way to the end. Luckily, most people reading a backstory aren’t that picky, which is good, because most people who write a backstory aren’t that good.

When should you reveal a backstory?

Hint at the Backstory in the Beginning They’re impacted in the present by what happened in the past. This needs to be clear at the beginning of the story. You won’t fully reveal backstory in the beginning because you don’t want the story to feel like an info dump.

Does every character need a backstory?

First and foremost, every character requires a backstory in your mind. Once you have that backstory, you can decide how much of it will be revealed to the reader, at what point of the story, and whether directly or indirectly.

How do you write a villain’s backstory?

How To Write A Memorable Villain:

Let your theme influence their traits.
Use their backstory to show why they’re like this.
Humanise your villain.
Memorable injuries are clichés.
To compete with the protagonist, your villain also needs to be special.
Your villain should feel unbeatable, at least for a while.

Why do characters need a backstory?

Backstory has two main jobs to fulfill in your story: (1) to reveal important information about the main characters, and (2) to help depict a fully realized story world. A character’s backstory comprises all the data of his history, revealing how he became who he is, and why he acts as he does and thinks as he thinks.

What is a hero backstory?

Character backstory – the past events and formative experiences that shape who your characters are – is key to creating characters of breadth and depth.

What makes a bad guy?

A villain is the antagonist of your story whose motivations and actions oppose the protagonist and drive the plot of your story. A villain is the opposite of a hero. In contrast to the hero, a villain is usually compelled by a desire to commit acts of cruelty and immorality.

What are good villain motives?

6. Summarising famous villains’ motivations to learn by example

Greed.
Lust for power.
Violent impulses (stemming from traumatic backstory or other causes)
Fear (e.g. the desire to protect family or loved ones at all costs)
False/misguided beliefs (e.g. that X or Y terrible deed is crucial for humankind’s survival)

What makes a good bad guy?

Villain Characteristics Checklist: He has many likeable qualities. He’s a worthy enough opponent to make your hero look good. You (and your reader) like when he’s on stage. He’s clever and accomplished enough that people must lend him begrudging respect.

Can a villain be a protagonist?

What Is a Villain Protagonist? A villain protagonist is foremost a villain, an undeniable “bad guy” who drives the plot as the main character.

How can I be evil?

“Evil” is a complex thing. Sometimes evil is justified, other times knowing evil is just the best way to fight it….Top 10 Ways to Unleash Your Inner Evil

Infiltrate.
Get Angry.
Be Lazy.
Invade. Advertisement.
Manipulate. Advertisement.
Steal. Advertisement.
Cheat. Advertisement.
Lie. G/O Media may get a commission.

How do I know if Im evil?

16 Warning Signs Of Evil People

They enjoy the misfortune of others.
They have control issues.
They are habitually dishonest.
You feel strange around them.
They mislead you.
They lack remorse.
They are cruel.
They lack responsibility.

What do you call an evil person?

1 sinful, iniquitous, depraved, vicious, corrupt, base, vile, nefarious. 2 pernicious, destructive. 6 wickedness, depravity, iniquity, unrighteousness, corruption, baseness.

What is the most evil word?

most evil

destructive.
hateful.
heinous.
malicious.
ugly.
unpleasant.
vicious.
vile.

What are some evil words?

evil

destructive.
hateful.
heinous.
malicious.
ugly.
unpleasant.
vicious.
vile.

Is Wicked worse than evil?

Wickedness is generally considered a synonym for evil or sinfulness. Among theologians and philosophers, it has the more specific meaning of evil committed consciously and of free will. It can also be considered the quality or state of being wicked.

What is wickedness to God?

Find out why God allows wickedness The International Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) gives this definition of wicked according to the Bible: “The state of being wicked; a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor, virtue; evil in thought and life; depravity; sinfulness; criminality.”

What is wickedness law?

Legal Dictionary, Thesaurus (wickedness) Definition: (n.) The quality or state of being wicked; departure from the rules of the divine or the moral law; evil disposition or practices; immorality; depravity; sinfulness. (n.) A wicked thing or act; crime; sin; iniquity.

Is Wicked the same as evil?

The difference between Evil and Wicked. When used as nouns, evil means moral badness, whereas wicked means people who are wicked. When used as adjectives, evil means intending to harm, whereas wicked means evil or mischievous by nature. Wicked is also adverb with the meaning: very, extremely.

What does moral wickedness mean?

adjective. 1. evil or morally bad in principle or practice; sinful; iniquitous. wicked people. wicked habits.