How to develop character backstories that bring your novel to life

Every character, even those that appear briefly, benefits from a backstory. Understanding their past not

only aids in writing them more convincingly—it also makes them feel more real, both to you and your readers. This doesn’t imply cramming pages of history into the novel, but possessing a profound understanding of their origins will manifest in subtle, impactful ways.

Why Backstories Matter

Backstories provide context for your characters’ actions, decisions, and beliefs. They shape everything from how they handle conflict to what they value most. For readers, this background can make the difference between perceiving a character as a stereotype and seeing them as a nuanced, relatable individual. Consider Jean Valjean in Hugo Victor's novel Les Misérables—his years as a convict and his struggle for redemption define every choice he makes. 

Or think about Miss Havisham in Charles Dickens's Great Expectations, whose heartbreak and betrayal fester into a life of bitterness, shaping how she manipulates Pip and Estella. These backstories aren’t merely tacked on; they’re interwoven into the fabric of who these characters are.

How to Create Meaningful Backstories

A straightforward method is to start by asking questions. Where was your character born? What was their family life like? Did they experience any significant triumphs or traumas during their childhood? The aim isn’t to include all of these details in your manuscript but to gain insight into your character’s psychological makeup. Even knowing something as minor as your character’s favourite childhood toy or their first significant failure can influence how you write them in the present.

For instance, let’s say you’re writing about a detective named Sarah. Perhaps she grew up in a crime-ridden estate where she lost a sibling to gang violence. This experience might make her fiercely protective of the vulnerable and laser-focused on justice. 

Alternatively, consider a character like Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice—her backstory as one of five daughters in a family facing financial uncertainty not only informs her wit and independence but also provides context for her mother’s push for advantageous marriages and her father’s weary detachment.

Tips for Weaving Backstories into the Narrative

The key to integrating backstory is subtlety. Rather than overwhelming the reader with large chunks of exposition, let details emerge naturally through:

• Dialogue: A passing remark about a childhood home can hint at a character’s past without halting the story.

• Internal thoughts: A déjà vu moment or an unexpected emotional reaction can reveal hidden layers.

• Small details: A character’s habits, fears, or preferences can quietly nod to their history.

For example, instead of explicitly stating that Sarah grew up in a rough neighborhood, she might instinctively scan a room for exits or feel unexpected comfort in a chaotic city street. Similarly, in Sarah Waters's The Night Watch, characters' past relationships and traumas unfold gradually, shaping their present interactions without heavy-handed exposition.

When backstory is woven seamlessly into the present action, characters feel richer, their decisions become more believable, and readers develop a deeper emotional connection to them. Rather than interrupting the story to deliver a history lesson, let the past breathe within the spaces of the present.