You Asked: Can You Explain Backstory?

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 2 Comments

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Welcome to another, You Asked, the Experts Answer, segment. This week ‘s question is: Can You Explain Backstory?

Well, I can’t, as I’ve been as confused about this topic as you have. I’m in the process of writing my first novel and how or when to use  backstory has been as clear as mud to me, until now. So, let me introduce the expert.

Lisa Cron is the author of Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers From the Very First Sentence.

At Writer Unboxed, Lisa discusses the topic of backstory, in her article, “What We’ve Been Taught About Backstory . . . and Why It’s Wrong.”

I won’t repeat everything she said, you’ll want to visit Writer Unboxed yourself and trust me, you’ll want to read this article. I will, however, share a few highlights. I’ll let Lisa  give you the details.

 Top 5 Highlights
  • “Backstory is the fundamental “why” people do the things they do.
  • Our own life experiences are backstory.
  • The backstory and the present should be layered as if you’re making a great dish of lasagna.
  • Think of Newton’s Law: “For every action there is an equal and/or opposite reaction.” We make choices based on our experiences and so do our characters.
  • “Backstory is the first half of your story” and guides your character as clearly as a roadmap.

Lisa does a great job explaining what backstory is, how to use it and when to use it. Her examples make the issue crystal clear. So, check out her article, and let me know what you think. Did it help?

I’d love to hear your comments. Tell me your story. And as always, you can find me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Contently,
and Twitter@sheilagood. Say hello and pass it on.

My Top 5 Gift Subscriptions For Every Writer

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 1 Comment

It’s that time of year when we’re all trying to figure out the perfect gift for friends and loved ones. And, gifts for the writer in our circle is one of the hardest to find. Here are my top five recommendations to make your shopping easier. Enjoy.

51NYqYBHXsL._SY300_1. Writer’s Digest – An excellent resource for writers at all levels. Covering all genres, this magazine is your go-to-resource on writing. Available in print or digital,  a year’s subscription will cost $19.96 (8 issues).

issue_95_cover_450x6752. Glimmer Train Stories – One of the best magazines in print, this magazine loves to showcase emerging and new writer’s.  Forty percent of stories last years was from first time authors. Represented in  the Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses,  Henry Prize Stories, New Stories from the South, and Best American Short Stories. A year’s subscription will cost you $35.00.

Crazyhorse_88_cover-1025x10243. Crazyhorse – This College of Charleston literary magazine, located the beautiful coastal city in  South Carolina has published the works of established and  emerging writers for the last 50 years. Work from the journal’s pages has been reprinted in the Best American Poetry, Best American Short Stories, Best American Nonrequired Reading and The Pushcart Prize annual anthologies. Issues and stories are available online and in print.  Offering 25% off a one year subscription – $15.00 USD, $25.50 USD; ends 12/31/2015.

Issue60ForWeb-14. American Short Fiction – Publishes work from both emerging and new writers. Stories published by American Short Fiction are anthologized in Best American Short Stories, Best American Non-Required Reading, The O. Henry Prize Stories, and The Pushcart Prize: Best of the Small Presses, and elsewhere. A year’s subscription will cost $25.00. Current issues and back issues available for $7.00 – $10.00.

41BSSXcYaSL5. Fifth Wednesday Journal– An independent print literary magazine published twice a year. Focusing on contemporary literary and photographic arts, this magazine accepts contributions of short fiction, poetry, essays, interviews, book reviews, and black and white photography.    A one-year-subscription will cost you $20.00 per year. Individual issues, $11.00 each.

Happy shopping!

I’d love to hear your comments. Let’s have a conversation. Talk to me. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.

 

37 Flavors of Rejection

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / Leave a comment

We all hate rejections, but I must say Christina gives rejection a whole new flavor and I admit, it tickled my fancy! Thanks Christina!

Stories to Share

/ Sheila McIntrye Good, Author / 4 Comments
Photo courtesy of : theeducatedprocastinator.com

Photo courtesy of :
theeducatedprocastinator.com

I may not have gotten much writing done this month, but I’ve had plenty of time to read. There are so many wonderful books and stories available, it’s difficult to choose, but here are three I’d like to pass on.

The Williams Women by Rosemary Jarrell – The first place winner of WOW’s 2015 Winter Flash Fiction Contest.

The Church Meeting by Jeannie Waldridge – Second place winner of WOW’s 2015 Winter Flash Fiction Contest.

Hot Springs by David Guterson – Narrative Magazine, story of the week.

Every author wants to know people are enjoying their stories. So, if you’ve read a particular engaging story, share it and pass it on.

I’d love to hear your comments. Talk to me. Let’s have a conversation. Tell me your story. And as always, you can follow me on Facebook at SheilaMGood, Pinterest, Bloglovin, Twitter@sheilagood, and Contently.