Dishin' It Out: #TipsforWriters

Saturday, March 18, 2023

How to Share a Backstory/History with Your Reader By Connie Vines #Backstory, #Round Robin, #Sharing with Readers, #Writing Tips

This month's topic:

The Importance of your character's backstory/history and how to share this with the reader without an info dump that stalls the action.

My preferred method is to utilize my blurb.

Example: Lynx (Rodeo Romance, Book 1)

With a dangerous reputation for taking chances and tempting fate, rugged cowboy Lynx Maddox had one goal in life--to win the coveted Silver Buckle rodeo championship. But when he sets eyes on Lovely Rachel Scott, he becomes determined to capture her as well.

Rachel traveled the circuit with her famous father rodeo rider dad until his fatal accident in the arena. Now she wants nothing to do with that world--or the men who risk their lives for one brief moment of glory, But her attraction to Lynx becomes too powerful to deny..., and his unexpected gentleness is too seductive to resist.

However, this month's main topic is introducing backstory/history into the story.

Internal dialogue is useful, but a conversation with a friend/confidant or having an event trigger a memory creates more substantial reader involvement in the scene.

Rachel stalled to no avail. Charlene planted herself on the arm of the couch, "Dan told me Lynx left for Lubbock without you. Why?"

Rachel squirmed.

"I couldn't do it. Lynx kept talking about his family. He kept telling me about the ranch and planning how we'd spend our days. The more he planned, the more frightened I became. When it came to the final day, I couldn't do it, Charlene. I pulled my suitcase from the closet and remembered all the times I'd picked up and moved...I just couldn't do it again."

Example 2: Brede (Rodeo Romance, Book 2)

In this story, I utilized a prologue. I seldom implement this device (except in my historical novels); however, because this is romantic suspense, this moves the reader into an action sequence.

Example 3: Tanayia: Whisper upon the Water (Historical)

Prologue

1868

The Governor of New Mexico decreed that all Indian children over six to be educated in the ways of the white man.

Indian Commissioner, Thomas Morgan, said," It is cheaper to educate the Indians than to kill them."

1880, Apacheria, Season of Ripened Berries

Isolated bands of colored clay on white limestone remains where the sagebrush is stripped from Mother Earth by sudden storms and surface waters. Desolate. Bleak. Al and made of barren rocks and twisted paths that reach out into the silence.

A world of hunger and hardship. This is my world. I am Tanayia. I was born thirteen winters ago. We call ourselves N'dee. The People. The white man calls us Apache.

https://books2read.com/Tanayia

Everyone has great tips on sharing a character's backstory with the reader.

Please visit the participants:

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

A.J. Maguire http://ajmaguire.wordpress.com/

Dr. Bob Rich https://bobrich18.wordpress.com/2023/03/18/where-to-hide-the-time-machine-backstory/

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Connie

Link to my publisher's website: https://www.bookswelove.com/vines-connie/

(eBook and print)

Happy Reading! 📖📚📱

Friday, March 18, 2022

What Messages Do Your Books Give Your Readers? By Connie Vines #RR , #WritingTips, #BWLPublishing, #Themes, #WesternRomance

What messages do your books give your readers?

Thank you, Rhobin, for this month's topic.

The theme of a story is important because a story's theme is part of the reason why the author wrote the story. The term theme can be defined as the underlying meaning of a story. It is the message the writer is trying to convey through the story. Often the theme of a story is a broad message about life.

1. There is always a character's growth through life experience and challenges.

2. One of my main characters usually has a character-building (unhappy) childhood.

3. Which, fortunately, has assisted him/her in becoming a tightly functional adult.

4. My message is to never give up hope; always strive for a better life and believe in yourself.

Example 1:

Blurb:

With a dangerous reputation for taking chances and tempting fate, rugged cowboy Lynx Maddox had one goal in life--to win the coveted Silver Buckel rodeo championship. But when he sets eyes on lovely Rachel Scott, he becomes determined to capture her as well.

Rachel traveled the rodeo circuit with her famous rodeo rider dad until his fatal accident in the arena. Now, she wants nothing to do with that world--or the men who risk their loves for one brief moment for glory. But her attraction to Lynx becomes too powerful to deny...and his unexpected gentleness is too seductive to resist...

Example 2:

Blurb:

Trouble is something hard-edged rancher, Brede Kristensen, knows all about. A widower with a rambunctious young daughter, a ranch to run, and an ornery cook who has just runoff, Brede doesn't need another problem. Yet, during a violent storm, he finds an injured woman. The beautiful woman can't recall her name or past, but Brede vows to protect her from harm. What he hadn't bargained for was her laughter and gentleness finding a way into the lonely corners of his heart.

Beaten and left for dead, Amberlynn Maddox has no memory of her past. When a madman finds Amberlynn's hiding place, no one is safe from harm: not Brede, his young daughter—or Amberlynn herself! Accepting Brede's offer as temporary ranch cook, the woman, now called Kate, discovers the sexy rancher with his protective nature, and sizzling kisses has claimed her heart.

Example 3:

Also available in Spanish

Blurb:

Tanayia is alone in the world. Her village was destroyed and her people murdered by a group of revolutionaries who now hold her hostage. A daring escape on the edge of Cochise's stronghold saves Tanayia's life, but she discovers her ordeal is only beginning.

Forced to live in a government-run boarding school, Tanayia is stripped of her identity. The headmistress is bent on destroying Tay, but Jacob Five-Wounds stands in her way. Jacob urges Tay to run away with him—but diphtheria strikes the school. Now, Tanayia must choose, a choice she knows may cost her both Jacob and his love.

For a fast and fun read:

An Anthology of Romance

"Marrying off Murphy" – (Light-hearted Romance). Like all Cajun fairy tales, it began harmlessly enough. A match-making columnist promises to turn a stuffy professor into a charming prince. So, why does this confirmed bachelorette suddenly wish she was dressed for the Ball?

"Love Potion #9" – (Contemporary Romance). Watch what happens when you mix a traditional Creole woman with a fun-loving Cajun man and throw in a Voodoo Love Potion—stand back! The Louisiana Bayou ain't never gonna be the same!

"A Slice of Scandal" – (Mystery/Suspense). A producer finds herself embroiled in a mystery as hot as her Bayou Cooking Show. When an undercover cop-turned chef shows up and dishes up more heat than a bottle of Louisiana hot peppers. Can she prove her innocence before the real killer finds her? Or, will she become the main course in a murder trial?

Novella:

Alive, Steampunk novelist Meredith Misso worked hard at living the perfect SoCal celeb life. Now that she is a Zombie, it's all about the make-up, non-vegan lifestyle, and her soon-to-be ex, who somehow managed to Velcro himself back into her life.

Buy Link (click on book cover)