How important is back story. Really. I don't know. I don't know if it is just something that the author has in their head and it is not something that is ever told, or if authors write it all out so they know what everyone's back story is.
I know for me, it is more about consistency. So I don't flub something up or forgot about something important. Characters that actually have meaning have some form of back story. But it is not all in the novels. Sometimes it is just scribbled in my notebook, or written in my information sheets so that I can remember where they come from.
However as it happens one of those back stories somehow transitioned into book 1 for my series. And now I have begun to take another back story and turn it into something more as well. It seems silly, but at the same time I don't mind doing it. But I don't know if it will be one of those things that will turn into a full novel. Or if will be just for me, so I don't change the story later on or have different ones later.
Either way, I find it interesting how much work some authors put into their world. while others wing it and hope for the best. Is there a wrong way? I don't think so. But it really depends on how big your world is. If you are building a massive world with hundreds of characters to follow, it would make sense to have some background for it.
Either way, from a personal standpoint I like it. It gives me something to do, even I am not 'writing' I am still creating. Sometimes it seems a little silly. But other times, I think it helps to flesh it out in that way. Making maps, and timelines. It's kind of my favorite part if I'm being totally honest. I don't want to create one dimensional people. I want people to love them like I love them, but in my opinion that requires the effort to make them real.
Well until next time!
