Why Can't I Come Up with a Decent Backstory?

Many roleplayers find themselves struggling to create a compelling backstory for their characters, often because they get stuck on forcing a narrative onto their character rather than exploring them deeply. This article will provide you with techniques and insights to help you craft a rich and meaningful backstory for your character.

Exploring Your Character Through Interviews

One effective method is to interview your character. Ask them questions about why they do certain things, and let them answer freely. This technique can be particularly useful in getting to know your character's motivation and history. For example, J. Michael Straczynski, the creator of Babylon 5, used a five-minute questionnaire to flesh out his characters, which he then expanded upon in character profiles. This approach can help you uncover layers of your character's psyche that you might not have considered before.

James Scott Bell's Character Diary Method

James Scott Bell, a prolific author, found success in his craft by having his characters create diaries. These diaries are rich sources of information about the character's thoughts, motivations, pet peeves, and more. Bell collects these rambles and weaves the information seamlessly into his stories. By encouraging your characters to "ramble," you can uncover their backstory in a natural and organic way.

The Importance of Continual Character Interviews

As you interview your character, consider asking them why they do specific actions and how their past influences these choices. If you build this out during the drafting stage, you will continually uncover new details. Each time you introduce a new action, ask, "Why do they do this?" This process of discovery can be both fun and enlightening.

Creating Backstories Through Character's Future Arc

A different approach to crafting a backstory is to consider your character's future arc rather than purely describing their past. This method is non-traditional but highly effective because it focuses on where your character is going and the changes they need to undergo. This approach ensures that their backstory is relevant and connected to their current state.

Ancient Techniques and Modern Adaptations

Consider this example: Imagine a character who is a thoughtlessly vain and spoiled debutante. The character's arc is that they need to become independent. By understanding what your character is striving for, you can trace back to their past to figure out why they need to make this change. It may become clear that their overindulgence stems from a tumultuous childhood, or perhaps they were pampered because their parents were always away on business.

Similarly, another character who is filled with rage and hatred might need to learn to deal with care instead of death. Their backstory could reveal that they were the sole survivor of a brutal murder, and their anger is a defense mechanism. By focusing on the arc and the goal, the backstory naturally flows and becomes more believable.

Character Psychology and Realism

While detailed backstories can help make a character feel "real," it’s the character's sense of purpose and agency that truly makes them feel alive. Focus on the "she needs to" aspect of your character's journey. Instead of trying to force a backstory, consider what drives your character forward and how their past informs their current psychology. This approach ensures that your character’s actions and decisions are coherent and meaningful.

Conclusion

By following these techniques, you can create a backstory for your character that is organic, relevant, and engaging. Whether you choose to explore through interviews, consider the future arc, or a combination of both, the key is to uncover your character’s motivations and how their past shapes their present and future. Happy roleplaying!