While providing a detailed background for every character in a story can certainly add depth and richness to your narrative, it is not always necessary for every character to have an extensive background. The level of detail you provide for each character's background should depend on their importance to the story and the role they play.
Here are some considerations regarding whether every character needs a background:
1. Protagonists and Major Characters: It is typically essential for protagonists and major characters to have well-developed backgrounds. Understanding their past experiences, motivations, and relationships can help readers connect with them on a deeper level and make their actions and decisions more meaningful.
2. Supporting Characters: While supporting characters may not require as extensive a background as main characters, giving them some depth and backstory can make them more realistic and engaging. Even a few key details about their past or motivations can help flesh out their role in the story.
3. Minor Characters: For minor or background characters who have limited impact on the plot, providing detailed backgrounds may not be necessary. In some cases, a brief description or a few defining traits may be sufficient to establish their presence in the story without delving into their entire history.
4. Purpose and Impact on the Story: Consider the function of each character within the narrative. Characters who significantly influence the plot, contribute to themes, or serve as foils to the main characters may benefit from a more developed background to enhance their role in the story.
Ultimately, the decision of how much background information to provide for each character should serve the overall storytelling goals and contribute to the reader's understanding and engagement with the narrative. Striking a balance between depth of characterization and pacing is key to creating a compelling and well-rounded cast of characters.
I like giving most of my characters backgrounds, even if they only exist in my head and never on paper. Helps me figure out what I am doing next with them.
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Tim Brannan
The Other Side: 2024 A to Z of Dungeons & Dragons.
my main, and supporting (next to main) characters all have backgrounds written down, minor characters not so much.
ReplyDeleteI recently switched from Word to Scrivener which provides templates for character descriptions and I realised that in my completed draft - I had only described one character's appearance. The points you make are a good way of weighing up how much background to dole out...
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