Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby solarbeast34 » Wed Jul 12, 2017 5:10 pm

I am currently writing 2 different fictional stories for this board, and being not much of a writer of stories I have had my fair share of troubles arise. I'm more used to writing papers for College where I can ramble on about things that may or may not be needed in the paper but I provide them nonetheless. Here lies the problem for me in the first story. I am writing this one about an idea I always get when I do my self-bondage adventures, and am having trouble learning how much backstory is too much backstory. I am basing this on my life and what I would like to see in my future with some things that are totally fictional, so, therefore, there is a lot of backstories I feel I need to put in. But at this point, it feels like it is taking away from the story if I have that much, but also I do not have a way, I think, of telling the story and being able to properly convey some of the different aspects of the story. I have not finished either one yet, but some ideas on cutting back the backstory, or trying to fit it in some way would be very helpful. I am willing for someone to look it over and help me with the backstory if that is the only thing I can do right now, but would almost like to finish it before I fully commit to doing that. Unfortunately, though I am also on vacation right now so I am not actually continuing writing it at the moment, and I am also having a problem with the very bad internet where I am.

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby Mmph Squad » Wed Jul 12, 2017 5:55 pm

Backstory is important to an effective story. The details are what make stories come alive, and I do not think that there is a line in the sand where there's suddenly too much back story.
To tie or be tied? I'm not one to care as long as there are gags!

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby drawscore » Wed Jul 12, 2017 7:16 pm

Best bet, is to think about what YOU would want to know about the character(s) if you were the reader, rather than the author.

There is such a thing as "too much information," so it would be sufficient to say that the captive "was wearing jeans and a T-shirt," without mentioning the particular brand of jeans, unless that happens to be an integral part of the story.

Follow your own instincts. They will probably give you the best advice.

Drawscore

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby gagged-cowboy » Thu Jul 13, 2017 1:55 am

I would suggest you to put as much detail as you want when you are writing and then after you have finished read the story again and decide what to keep there and what to leave out.
I personally prefer more detailed stories with information about characters' looks, clothes, backstories etc. But it should be put there equally with a reasonable amount of bondage because that is the main reason why we read the stories here :-)

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby xtc » Thu Jul 13, 2017 3:12 am

Drawscore makes sense. (Yes, I really DID just write that! :mouthopen: )
Some back story is necessary to put characters into context or else there is a danger of just making the usual tedious list of who did what, with which and to whom. (Yawn!)
That doesn't need to be done all at once before getting down to the bondage action, it can be filled in as part of the narrative when it would be useful.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby solarbeast34 » Thu Jul 13, 2017 7:23 am

Ok, thanks all. I will try and take everything into account when I get a chance to continue writing the story after vacation.

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby Mmph Squad » Thu Jul 13, 2017 9:01 am

Look some people like detail, some do not. But I advocate for more detail.
To tie or be tied? I'm not one to care as long as there are gags!

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby naomi » Sat Jul 15, 2017 6:13 am

If I may be so bold: I think you're running into an X/Y problem. There are stories on here with many installments, well-developed characters, etc., which just happen to integrate bondage elements; and there are stories that are basically the bondage equivalent of porn, actual fucking optional. Either approach is valid [1], but very different to actually write - and backstory is one of the ways, and I suspect [2] that you're not quite sure where you want to fall on that spectrum.



[1] As much I personally prefer the former...

[2] Of course, I could be barking up the wrong tree. Read this as "food for thought" more than a diagnosis.
Hey there! If you want to roleplay with me, your PM should be at least three sentences and describe what you're looking for. I'd also recommend reading my directory post ( ./viewtopic.php?f=6&t=29299#p229232 ).

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby xtc » Sat Jul 15, 2017 8:19 am

Persnal opinion: I have read and sub-edited (big head that I am) Solarbeast's draft. It is a bit weird (intentionally) but would pass for a constructive contribution to our site. I don't think the author has anything to worry about.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby Kyle » Sat Jul 15, 2017 3:26 pm

Ask yourself this: does this backstory add anything to my main story? If not, it's just rambling and will likely drag your story down. On the other hand, a little bit of backstory is necessary to have some idea of what's going on.

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby Jason Toddman » Sun Aug 06, 2017 9:32 am

The usefulness of back-story is probably equivalent to its relevance to the plot.
Example: We are told at some point that the tied character hates spinach.
If at some point the character is then force-fed spinach (or threatened with same), this is a very important back-story element. The more spinach is mentioned, the more important this tidbit of information becomes. The more detail spent on how much he suffers eating spinach, the more detail you can go into - at least, up to a reasonable point. Just don't make it ALL about spinach.
On the other hand, if spinach is never mentioned again, it is a pointless and empty detail and should be left out altogether unless other food-related plot-points make it relevant in some way.
So yes there can be such a thing as too much backstory. However, previous TUGs experiences by any characters are always good for backstory here. Always!
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby xtc » Sun Aug 06, 2017 10:30 am

I think Jason has been reading the plot for a forthcoming story in another place!

I don't quite agree with the pont, though. Just mentioning, among other things, that a charcter dislikes spinach (or some other trait) can contribute to his charcter description.
Boxer shorts are cool,
but little speedos rule!

More by the same author: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=22729

Re: Writing Help/ How Much Backstory Is Too Much Backstory?

Postby Jason Toddman » Sun Aug 06, 2017 10:39 am

xtc wrote:I think Jason has been reading the plot for a forthcoming story in another place!

Have I? I was thinking of personal experiences, actually. When I was growing up, my cousins often used me to get rid of leftovers we all mutually detested, so that they would not have to eat said leftovers themselves and could hope for something better. Spinach was one such item.

xtc wrote: I don't quite agree with the pont, though. Just mentioning, among other things, that a character dislikes spinach (or some other trait) can contribute to his charcter description.

Well yeah; that can contribute to the character description, but to me that's a completely separate (if similar) thing from back-story.
Dare to be different... and make a difference.
To boldly go where no one in their right mind has gone before...