Dribbling Backstory

Backstory trips up new authors and still troubles seasoned ones.

Question: What is backstory?

Answer: Anything that has happened to your characters before the first page of the book.

Question: What makes it hard?

Answer: Deciding what a reader must know to understand what he’s reading and what can be left to the imagination to build tension and hold interest.

Here’s 3 truths.

1.     Backstory dumps near the beginning kills novels.

2.     Stories must be understood to be interesting.

3.     So, the author must tell as little as possible and wait as long as possibe.

Here’s a couple of guidelines given by multi-published, multi-awarded authors. They help me.

In a fiction mentoring clinic, DiAnn Mills taught us to strive for no backstory in the first fifty pages.

At Blue Ridge Christian Writer’s Conference, Angela Hunt told us to wait until about the 75-80% finished spot in your book to give lots of backstory. By then, the reader is invested in the character and wants to know what happened to him/her in the past.

 

Here’s some examples. Think about which you like the best and why.

Appearing on page 12 of Texas Blue by Jodi Thomas

     Since the War Between the States, bandits from across the border had been raiding cattle off ranches in Texas. At least a hundred fifty thousand head had vanished, not counting the hundreds stolen by small-time outlaws hiding out in canyons within the state.

      By this time, the reader is well acquainted with the protagonist and his goal, motivation, and conflict.

Appearing on page 4 of Life on Hold by Beverly Stowe McClure

     My father, with Uncle Gary’s help, had built it for Rachel and me when we were younger. In addition to being firefighters, the Gibson brothers owned a construction business.

     McClure gives this piece of insight into the treehouse which figures greatly into the story, but then she goes right back into the action.

Appearing on page 4 of Second Chance by Galand Nuchols

     Leroy looked toward the wizened garden he and his mother had tried to save. Buckets of water had been carried to peas, corn, and tomatoes.

     We get this tiny bit of backstory giving a view of the setting before Nuchols goes back to action.

On page 1 of Victoria and the Ghost by Janet K. Brown

     The expression of pain on Dad’s face was familiar since the divorce.

On the same page several paragraphs down.

     Dad gave Mom’s fancy French Provincial to the Salvation Army.

On page 13 of Scorned Justice by Margaret Daley

     He had come back to his hometown of San Antonio to fill a ranger’s position in Company D because his father’s health had taken a turn for the worse six months ago Then, he’d had a heart attack, and his dad had required a lot more care than Brody checking with him every day could give him. When his dad was released from the hospital, he came to live with Brody.

     This was a full paragraph after the reader has been introduced to the heroine and then the hero with dialogue and action included.

Another solution to the problem is shown by including a prologue as in Shadow in the Past by Melanie Roberson-King.

     Nine-year-old Sarah Shand struggled to keep up with her grandmother on their way to the stone circle. (This prologue continues on for 2 ½ pages.)

     Then in chapter 2, page 8, the first touch of backstory comes with this.

     Blair had been Sarah’s first serious boyfriend. They started dating the year she turned sixteen. She was certain he would ask her to marry him when they finished school and had even picked out her wedding gown and planned her big day.

     Then, the author goes back to dialogue.

Compare the above examples that were published with this example that needs work before it can be published.

This is the beginning of a novel I wrote before editing.

     Hannah Hastings was in a mess. If only James had stayed home with his family, but he hadn’t. He had deserted them to write his book, to make his mark. Then, a drunk driver cut his life short, and left Hannah with three kids to raise, no job, and little money.

     Notice this action all happened before the story began. It’s all backstory. How would you solve this?

 
Which example do you like the best and why.

I found these links helpful.

 http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/how-to-weave-backstory-seamlessly-into-your-novel

http://storysensei.blogspot.com/2005/08/how-to-write-backstory-without-putting.html

http://www.foremostpress.com/authors/articles/prologue.html

My best solution is dribbling only a few words at a time through the novel. What’s you best idea?

How Important is the Cover?

McClure's new cover art

This week, a wonderful friend and fellow 4RV Publishing author, Beverly Stowe McClure revealed the cover art for her new middle grade book soon to be released. The picture tells me the story is about a young girl, basketball, and maybe a problem with ego. Aidana WillowRaven produced the cover for Star of the Team. I love it. I'm intrigued. It's a winner in my mind.

This big cover reveal got me to thinking.
How important is the illustration on your book cover?

Many faithful readers follow writers they love, but what about buying from a new author? Polls suggest that the first thing to catch our eye about a book is the cover. If the cover looks interesting, we pick up the book, read the back cover, and if still interested, read the first paragraph or two.

4RV Publishing released my debut YA novel a year and a half ago. Long before it did, I learned the importance of team work. Authors create stories. Editors read, correct, strengthen, and clarify the author's words. Then comes the illustrator. 4RV asked Aidana WillowRaven to create a cover for my book, Victoria and the Ghost. WillowRaven asked me questions about the main character's personal appearance. She asked about the setting and wanted to know important symbols in the story.

The Cover of my book

My fifteen-year-old main character wore shorts and flip-flops with her light brown hair loose and always blowing into her face. The ghost brought strange happenings to the setting of Clara Cemetery, in North Texas. (A real place.) One main happening involves a disappearing hopscotch drawing.

Ms. WillowRaven came up with Victoria praying over a hopscotch with trees and a church in the background. The picture tells the reader something is strange about this place.



A book's illustrator is listed on the copyright page of the book, but how often do they get recognition for their work? Yet, their creation helps authors sell books.

My advice to new and old authors is work well with your illustrator. Give her enough detail to see what you see. If you disagree with the arrangement or something in the drawing, speak up and explain. Work as a team to come up with a winning cover. It's important.

Let me leave you with two other book covers, one a new adult A Shadow in the Past,  by Melanie Robertson King, and Prairie Dog Cowboy, a YA book by Vivian Zabel.

                              

Think about what you see in these covers. What do you expect? What do you like about these 4 covers? What do you dislike? Think of your own work. Do the covers represent the story?

I would love your feedback. Lastly, we need to recognize our illustrators for work well done. Thank you, Aidana WillowRaven. Thanks to all the team at 4RV Publishing.

What is the etiquette when approaching an artist for your book?

by Aidana WillowRaven

At one time, the only authors who would approach an artist to illustrate their book or cover art were indie authors, but more and more small publishers are permitting authors more creative control by allowing them to hire qualified artists on their own, as long as the work meets their standards. Of course, the majority of traditional publishers still choose the artist for your book without much say from the author, but that is not what this post is about. So let's pretend, for this post, that you are on a quest to find an artist for your book.

First, you need to determine what you can afford. If you can not afford to pay a professional standard rates, don't seek professional artists. It is not only a waste of time for both parties, but it's insulting to the publishing professional, and word like that gets around, especially with today's addiction to the internet.

You especially do not want to approach a professional artist via email with a lengthy description about your book, the characters, and an exhausting description of your mission, only to conclude with a requirement for free samples as well as a vague royalty-only arrangement for compensation with a publisher that they've likely never heard of and has an unknown track  record (at least as far as the artist is concerned). Even worse, upon looking up said publisher, all that can be found is an incomplete website/splash page announcing "Website coming soon" and "New independent publisher." This will not instill confidence  that the artist will ever see a penny of compensation for their work and experience.

If you are guilty of the above, than you more than likely got either a smug response or no response at all ... lol.

If you are on a limited budget, or no budget at all, then target artists that are new to the industry and need to build a professional portfolio, like students or hobbyists. They need the validation and exposure of published work as much as you need a good image. They also need to learn the ropes. College, no matter the degree, does not provide good ole experience. Rarely will you find an experienced artist willing or able to work for royalties with an unknown publisher.

If you can afford to hire the artist you want, then by all means do so. Make sure you ask a lot of questions: if they are knowledgeable of the field in general and their particular industry; if their rates are fair (meaning do research first as to what professionals of your particular genre charge); and if they have the experience to give you what you seek. Also make sure that the publisher approves their work or style before investing your money. Artists don't usually have a return policy. The cover artist and illustration industry has taken a huge hit in the last few years, just like every other industry, so hire when you can. Too many skilled artists are forced to work for beans (and not magic ones, either) or give in and get 'real jobs' outside their true field.

And no matter whether you are approaching a professional artist or a newbie, the first contact is not where you overload them with details about your marketing plans or certainties of a successful book. Just like in a cover letter to a publisher you want to read your manuscript, first contact should be simple and to the point. Let the artist tell you what he or she wants or needs to know before they make a decision. Some will want all of the details, many won't.

Good luck on your search finding the right artist, both for your book and your budget. :D

Aidana WillowRaven

Art Director & VP of Operations

4RV Publishing

*All books featured in this post are available through the 4RV Publishing Bookstore. In addition, all of the covers were created by Aidana WillowRaven. 

4RV Preditors & Editors results

     Critters Workshop sponsors the  Preditors & Editors Readers Poll each year. This year several nominations were from 4RV Publishing: Children's books, Young Adult books, Artwork from books, Book Covers, Publisher, Author, Artist, and Bookstore. Of those, we had seven (7) that placed in the top 10, the only places that actually count.

 

        The first on the list, Children's books with two nominations from 4RV, had one place. First Flag of New Hampshire by Stephanie Burkhart, illustrated by Ginger Nielson took 8th place.

       Nominated in Young Adult books were two from 4RV, but only one placed - A Shadow in the Past 3rd. The novel, written by Melanie Robertson-King, also helped Aidana WillowRaven, who designed the cover art, earn 9th place in the Artist category and tie for 6th place in Artwork.

  

 

    Ginger Nielson, tying with Aidana WillowRaven for 6th place in the Artwork category, wrote and illustrated Willow, an Elephant's Tale.  

     In the Author category, Vivian Zabel placed 6th.

    4RV Bookstore took 3rd in the bookstore category.  

    Congratulations to everyone who placed.           

         

Kansas Book Festival 2012 - 4RV style

by Vivian Zabel  

The grounds of the Kansas Historical Museum set up for the book festival

          The minivan loaded with books and supplies headed north from Edmond, Oklahoma, its nose slightly airborne due to all the weight. The rain washed the vehicle clean all the way to Topeka by way of Emporia.

          Friday about noon, Melanie Robertson-King and Carla Ralston joined Jacque Graham and me at the Best Western Hotel. After we greeted and hugged each other, we moved our luggage to a suite where we had connecting bedrooms and began an old fashion slumber party -- but full of plain ol' hard work.

The table with 4RV YA, fiction and nonfiction with editor Carla Ralston, authors Janet K. Brown and Melanie Robertson-King behind publisher Vivian Zabel

Carla Ralston tries to stay warm

          Saturday morning, September 15, dawned cold, dreary, and wet. We hauled (well, mainly "they") boxes and boxes and boxes of books and materials from the van to our tables. Someone wanted pictures of what it took to set up. That's impossible. Take my word for it, with the help of 8 people, it took us over two hours, as we shivered and felt our feet become numb. Needless to say, the crowds stayed away -- until mid-afternoon when the sun decided to awaken and warm us a bit. Then the people began to flood the grounds, over 2000 of them. 

Galand Nuchols, Carla Ralston, Jacque Graham, Melanie King

          The book festival actually was a combination of conference and festival. Authors and other book related people held workshops in the museum and history center, found on two sides of the grass area where tents held a children's area, exhibitors, and special book signing area. 

The children's books table with gift bag for drawing

          4RV had two tables, and one table held nothing but a variety of children's books, and at the end the gift bag donated by Stephanie Burkhart for a drawing. We had several people sign up, and the woman who won loved it.

Janet K. Brown, Melanie Robertson-King, Galand Nuchols

          4RV had three new releases, with their authors present to promote their books, and one of our top editors at our booth: Melanie Robertson-King from Ontario, Canada and her debut novel A Shadow in the Past; Janet K. Brown from Wichita Falls, Texas and her first book Victoria and the Ghost; Galand Nuchols from Mt. Pleasant, Texas with her second 4RV book Leroy's Chance; and editor Carla Ralston from North Dakota.

          Also located in the exhibitors' tent were some of the award groups. They were looking for children's books and middle grade/young adult books, published in 2012. They left with three entries for the Bill Martin Jr. Award: My Cat, Porcupine's Seeds, and Rhino Crashes &Critter Classes. For the William Allen White Children's Book Awards, the representatives took First Flag of New Hampshire, Life on Hold, and A Shadow from the Past. Joining them soon will be Victoria and the Ghost and Leroy's Chance.

          We sold several books, more than usual at a book festival. All told, the Kansas Book Festival was a success for 4RV Publishing.

A few glimpses of the hard work:

Boxes under table after setup

Boxes under the other table after setup

       Hope these pictures give just a glimpse of some of the work involved.

Galand begins tearing down

Even husbands work - Charles Brown

Sisters help, too - Galand's sister

Melanie sells herself and her book

      And then there's the "job" of meeting, greeting customers and persuading them they want your book.  

We're in the News - from Alaska to Kansas

          Published on the digital version of The Edmond Sun:

September 11, 2012

Edmond publisher speaks at Alaska Writers Conference

The Edmond Sun

 

EDMOND — Edmond author, editor and publisher Vivian Zabel of Edmond was one of the featured speakers at the 2012 Alaska Writers Conference Sept. 7-9.

This three-day annual conference brings nationally known authors, agents, editors and publishers straight to writers, ready to share their knowledge of how to write well and get published. Many of these speakers have authored or worked on nationally recognized books, films, television and other media.

Zabel was to present one of the Friday Interactive Workshops — Keeping the Reader’s Interest: A workshop on how to write so that “action” and “showing” keeps a reader’s interest.

Her publishing company 4RV Publishing produced the Oklahoma Book Award winner in fiction for 2010; “Confessions of a Former Rock Queen” by Kirk Bjorngaard. Other books have received regional awards in their categories. 4RV has released children’s books, middle grade and young adult books, novels and nonfiction books. 4RV is a royalty paying, traditional press. Authors do not pay for being published. The company takes the financial risks.

As an editor for more than 35 years, an English and writing teacher for nearly 30 years, an author with poetry, articles, short stories and novels published (with a few writing awards), and the head of a small publishing company for more than five years, Zabel experienced both sides of the submission experience. She understands being rejected, too. Since all submissions go to acquisition editors anonymously, one of her own submissions to 4RV was rejected.

“That’s the only way to keep the company honest,” Zabel said.

Zabel also was to speak on pitching book ideas and tips for impressing agents, editors and publishers, and presenting a finished book to a group.

 
           Included in the same issue of The Edmond Sun:

4RV launches young adult paranormal books

4RV Publishing of Edmond will officially debut two young adult paranormal fiction books at the Kansas Book Festival Sept. 15.  The event will be at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka, Kan.

“A Shadow in the Past” by Melanie Robertson-King and “Victoria and the Ghost” by Janet Brown will debut at the Kansas Book Festival.

Robertson-King will be flying to the festival from Canada to sell signed copies of her debut YA/crossover paranormal romance.

In “A Shadow in the Past,” ancient Scottish legends become a reality when Sarah Shand finds herself transported back to the Victorian Era. She falls for the handsome Laird of Weetshill, but will he simply be the next to break her heart? After all, he is spoken for...

Brown will sell signed copies of her new YA paranormal novel as well. 

In “Victoria and the Ghost,” Victoria, a 15-year-old city girl, loses her mother’s love and tries to cope with country isolation, no friends, and no one who cares, until she meets a ghost.

           At the time the press release was sent to the media, the company didn't know Leroy's Chance would be ready to be launched. However, Galand Nuchols will be at the Kansas Book Festival for the official release of her novel, too. 

          All together, 65 4RV titles will be available for purchase at Topeka.  All can be found on the 4RV Book Store, too.