by Elizabeth S. Craig, @elizabethscraig
I’ve just finished the latest Southern quilting mystery—book five in that series, due to release in late 2015. So that means, right now, I’m no longer under a contract until Penguin decides if they’d like to acquire more books for the series (likely something they would determine after seeing sales figures for book four, coming out in August).
For the first time…ever, really…the only project I have to work on is my self-published Myrtle Clover series. I started book seven at my usual full throttle, and then slowed my writing pace down a bit and decided to take a more thoughtful approach.
I have a completed outline for the book. The mystery looks pretty sound. Readers told me they especially wanted more humor and the book’s outline has plenty included.
But then I remembered some of the other emails I’ve gotten. Readers have been writing me and mentioning things they’d like to see in my Myrtle stories. Others wrote that they were “so glad to hear more about____”. I remember reading these emails and being baffled because the elements the readers liked and wanted to hear more about seemed very incidental to the story.
But I know by now that anything readers like, even if it seems incidental to me, is simply a sign that I’m not getting it.
I started looking more closely at those elements and what I saw was that they were interested in seeing more glimpses of what everyday life is like for my recurring series characters…when they’re not solving a mystery.
Someone mentioned wanting to find out if Myrtle’s sidekick, Miles, had children and grandchildren and what they were like.
Someone else wanted to know where the yard gnomes all came from and how long Myrtle had been collecting them.
The things they’d mentioned fell into a couple of groups—information that I identified as background info that’s up in my head but never written about, and information that I had honestly never even considered.
What’s curious to me is that there is so many articles out there warning against extraneous detail and how readers don’t want it cluttering up a story. That’s one of the main writing “rules” that we all read about over and over again—dump the backstory.
So I’m wondering if there’s a point in a series where readers suddenly are really very interested in this extraneous backstory. Because it still has no bearing on the mystery or subplots. And, unless I work it very carefully into a story, it still would resemble an info-dump.
What I’d rather do is to work a story around some of this information that readers have become curious about and make them either important to the mystery or important to the characters’ general personality—have it be something that either gives the readers some insight as to how they ended up being the way they are or show more about them as they are now. Maybe I could even pull some of the info into a subplot—extra points if I can connect the subplot to the main plot.
I do enjoy glimpses in characters’ pasts in other long-running series. Elizabeth George has done a nice job showing us working class cop Barbara Havers’s background and how her background is now impacting her present.
What I did was make a Word document with a list of questions. The questions were both what I thought readers might be interested in knowing and what they had already indicated to me that they’d like to find out. They included everything from the unnamed street where much of the action in the stories takes place to what book literature-loving Myrtle is currently reading.
I’ll set about incorporating some of them into this story, some of them into upcoming stories. I’ll try to make the information significant, too, because there may be some new readers happening into the series for the first time.
As a reader, is there a point when you start becoming interested in extraneous detail? As a writer, when have you started adding some of this backstory into your series?
Image: MorgueFile: ARTG33K74
Since you brought it up, I have a couple of questions about Myrtle, too. It bothers me that she is so elderly – in her 80s – and has a son young enough to have a toddler. It’s something that I think about everytime I read one of the books, and it’s a distraction!
If the son is say, 40, or 45, that would mean that Myrtle gave birth to him when she was 40 or 45, and that is so unusual for a woman of her age, I start wondering why and what was going on in her life, and as I say, that is a distraction. Her son can’t be much younger than that or she would have had to have given birth in her 50s.
Also, I realize that there is someone for everyone, but her son seems so obnoxious sometimes that I wonder how he attracted his wife, who seems very pleasant. I wonder if she is a lot younger than he is, and calculating the possible difference in their ages, since they do have that young son.
I would love to have some of this explained!
Pardon my nosiness,
Audrey
Audrey–But you’re not being nosy–you’re being a perceptive reader! There’s a backstory to this, too…and I haven’t shared it since I worried readers would lose interest. You’re not the only one who’s asked me these questions–I’ve had someone on Facebook DM me about the same subject more than a year ago. And a separate email from someone else. I’ve been too poky to respond to it in the story, so I’ll work it in now!
Thanks for reading, Audrey…I appreciate it!
You know, I can see this: as a reader, I like to fall into the world of a series. I like to hang out with the characters. When I think about the moment I quote from, say, an Hercule Poirot book, it’s very often the stuff about _him_, and not about his detection. (This is more true of the TV series than the books, though. My mother and I often say to each other “These eggs.. I cannot eat them. They are not the same size.”)
The great thing about this is that you don’t have to shove them all into the first book — the whole point is to discover them over a long period of time. Over many books. For a writer, this is cool, because it gives you something new to do after you have been going for a while.
Camille–Good example. When I think of Hercule Poirot, I do think of all his funny interactions with Captain Hastings and the little details about his personality and quirkiness. Detection does *not* come first! But if the book had been a one-off and not part of a long-running series, would we have cared so much?
And you make a good point about the fact that *this* is a good way to keep things fresh for series writers and readers. I should have thought of that for my last post, but I hadn’t thought this through yet.
I think after you get past a certain number of books you’re allowed an info-dump-style volume. Sometimes this can be like a refresher/reboot/crash course for new readers as well.
I think all series kind of go in blocks of books that have to be reset and built back up again.
Greg–It’s almost like…and this isn’t my genre and I can’t totally remember the basis for this example…like some of the SF movies and shows where there’s one episode or a movie that’s really meant for devoted fans. Do you know what I’m referring to? I can’t remember what show…maybe a Star Trek kind of thing. But someone new to the franchise would never be interested in the stuff they threw in–it would have to be a die-hard fan to enjoy it, but they ate it up. Does that make sense?
So what you’re saying is that books after a few entries, sort of need more or fresh backstory built in? So like–every three books, something like that? Interesting. But with new backstory. Actually, I sort of like that idea. I guess I missed the boat with book 6, but could add some into this current book, 7.
I think you hit the nail on the head.
This is a great point to keep in the back of our minds. As a reader who enjoys series, I love getting more information about the characters over time. It starts to feel like you know these characters and as such you become more curious about them. This is likely why trash celeb. magazines sell so well. I think this is a great reminder to give fans a little more with each book – about the characters, the setting, back story, their family. Like you say, it doesn’t have to be a dump but through in a few subtle gems.
I’m currently working on the third in a series and will try to apply this.
Thanks
Sorry. I posted this in the wrong spot.
Silas–No wrong spots here! No worries.
Silas–It’s interesting, isn’t it? I’d just never thought about it, subscribing to the writing ‘rule’ that said we can’t throw in backstory…but that rule is thrown out the window when the readers start demanding backstory…ha! Good luck with book three.
As a side note here, I wanted to mention an idea that a writer/reader on Facebook had. I’m pasting it here:
Joe Hebert commented on a link Elizabeth Spann Craig Author shared.
Joe wrote: “Why don’t you give your characters Facebook pages to entertain questions that don’t move stories forward?
Actually, although I really dislike Facebook, this is a very interesting idea to me. It would offer a sort of social media platform to a book and could be listed in the contact info at the end of each book. And I don’t think it would have to be actively maintained–it could serve as a kind of Q&A spot for the character/books. And might be a way to mine for future book ideas. What do y’all think?
Jake Calcutta has had a sadly neglected presence all over the web. When the first Jake Calcutta mystery anodyne is finished later this year, he’ll spread his attitude all over.
Giving them Facebook pages lets the deep fans dig in, but leaves the books just books. This is a good thing.
But your idea of making, for instance, the gnome collection, the point of one of the books, letting the backstory inform the story, is excellent. Two birds and all that.
Joel–Will look forward to seeing Jake’s attitude broadcasting! :)
Yeah, that’s what sounded really intriguing about the FB idea. Not stuffing the books with minutiae, but having it available for those who want to know more.
But some of it I’ll definitely work in. I’ve got an idea now, too, for a character from Myrtle’s past to show up. Think that might have some possibilities for including some of these things that readers are interested in.
I’m just fascinated by this – I bet Myrtle, her son and daughter-in-law will start posting comments in the thread soon. Poirot might drop by, too.
As a reader, I understand craving more details about the characters I’ve become attached to. I like the idea of making the backstory important to the current story and personalities of your characters.
Thank you for the post, Elizabeth.
Sasha–Thanks for coming by!
Isn’t it funny how real they become…to us and to readers? I was discussing Myrtle the other day with someone in my family and said, “…which I’d do, but I think it would be disrespectful to Myrtle if I did.” And the person I was talking to said, “You do realize that you made Myrtle up, right?” :)
I’m already thinking of ways to incorporate some of these little details into the book I’m writing–maybe a visit from someone from Myrtle’s past? That would be an easy way to do it for nearly every writer.
I laugh to read you talking about your character as if. So, what if you ‘made her up’, she’s still real.
Some of the people who read my books just start talking about things various of my characters have done and said all of a sudden, this confuses me at first, then tickles me.
I always think: info dump for whatever I put in as backstory, then the mind Grim who says as I write: ‘No one is interested in that’ or ‘That isn’t really part of the mystery, you’re going on and on.’
When I read, I don’t like landscape details a whole lot, but I like to know something! about the character.
thanks.
Sara–She’s real to me…ha!
That’s cool that readers are talking about your characters like they’re real. That shows you’ve done a great job!
I’m with you–I don’t like the landscape types of details as a reader or writer. But I’m getting a lot better about including more description about the protagonist’s house, etc. Readers seem to really like that…and I can actually show a lot about a character that way.
Mine are starting to ask about other characters, but not so much detail stuff.
Someone could steal one of the gnomes – that would be a great way to work it into the story.
Alex–A good idea! I missed an opportunity to work it in for another book when I had a gnome broken during the course of the story.
For me as a reader, I begin wanting to know more about the protagonist and other characters after a couple of books. By then the author should have me hooked to the point I feel I know these characters and each time I visit with them again I want to learn something new about them, as well as how they solve the current murder. While those tidbits aren’t important to solving the crime, they do make the characters more real as we get to know them better. It’s hard to stay with a series with you don’t never learn anything new about the character’s past or likes/dislikes and such that are unrelated to what’s happening. I go back to a series for two reasons – the mysteries (or actions) are well written and I love the characters. I like the idea of taking information readers want and incorporating it into the story as a subplot or having it come into play in the main story. Elizabeth, you always do a great job of pulling it all together and making your protagonist realistic.
Mason–So, a couple of books for you. I think that might be the way it is for me, too. A couple of books in, I’m either hooked on a series or am ditching it. I can see looking for colorful details that help piece together a character’s motive and outlook at that point.
And thanks! I appreciate it.
As a fantasy romance series writer, I find the most gratifying and amazing moments are when some small detail mentioned for a character or world building in early books all of a sudden become a focal twist to a plot or between two characters in a book 2 or 3 down the series. It’s a total light bulb moment when you just get goose bumps and say ‘holy cow I never saw that coming but I can totally tie that in’. It’s like I planned it . . . . I mean, ‘of course I planned it’. LOL
I love it when that happens.
JL–Ah, so for you it’s a long tail twist…very cool! I don’t plan books out several books ahead, but maybe I should.
And I love those light bulb moments. :) Wish I had more of those.
Elizabeth – First, I respect you very much for listening to your readers – for really paying attention to what they say. Of course what you write is your choice, but when readers let you know something, I think it’s always worth paying attention. It’s communication and I think it’s helpful. I like the idea too of giving a little more depth to a character as a series goes on. It gives regular readers something to look forward to, much as you might look forward to getting to know a new friend better. And for readers who start your series later, it gives them more rounded characters to meet. Then they can go back and see how it all began.
Margot–So you don’t think that kind of detail would turn off a new reader? I like the thought that it might just offer a new reader a more rounded character.
And thanks. Yes, I do pay a lot of attention to readers…at this point, I think of the series as theirs. Maybe it was mine at the first or second book…but I think it’s their series now.
Great blog, Elizabeth! I’ve noticed when I’ve written stand-alone books that readers seem to be more interested in the suspense and moving the plot forward. But with my series, readers do want more of the backstory. I think over time, readers feel as though the characters are real (if we as writers are doing our jobs correctly) and they do want to know more about certain characters. It’s been part of the fun of writing a full series for me; it allows such multi-faceted characters. However, I’ve learned to add their backstories a little at a time so it doesn’t stop the plot from moving forward, while still filling in the gaps…
p.m.–Interesting! So, for you, it’s been something present in series but not your standalones. I haven’t written any one-offs, so wouldn’t know about that, but it seems in line with what I’m finding with my readers. They never used to ask questions about backstory but started to about a year ago. I think you’re right–we’ve got to be careful about allowing the info to trickle in instead of dumping it.
Dear Elizabeth,
I tend to write long books (as cozy historical mysteries–I have historical background, mystery, romance, and humor to cover), so I am constantly having to cut out detail . One solution I have found that seems to please my readers is short stories that are part of the series. In these stories I can expand on historical detail of life in 1880 San Francisco, provide more information on the main character’s back story and give minor characters the starring role. For example I have two elderly boarders who usually only have a line or two in the novels, but they have a whole short story–The Misses Moffet Mend a Marriage–to themselves.
Louisa–Ah! What a really cool idea. So, almost a spin-off for the minor characters that fills us in with information.
I only wish I were better at writing short stories! Long form is much easier for me somehow.
I never even considered writing short stories before this–last one I wrote was in high school. But when you are just writing a story about a minor character–it doesn’t even have to really be much of a mystery, you just get to expand on that back story you already have in your head, let your characters talk with each other (or consult your sleuth for advice), and after about 7,000 words, you have a story. The most recent story I am working on doesn’t even have a mystery-but it is about the origins of my sleuth’s career as a pretend clairvoyant–so it is actually a prequel to my series.
I find it a good break when I am in the process of researching (or waiting for beta readers to get back to me) on a full length book. Keeps me writing in these down periods. (Of course you never sound like you have down periods with your multiple series and deadlines!) :)
Louisa–I was contacted recently about a Penguin anthology and turned it down because I feel that insecure about my short story writing! I’m just not sure about how to do a short mystery. But, as you say, if I didn’t really *do* a mystery…I could handle that.
Down periods sound nice! I might be getting more of that soon, depending on the contract thing.
Hi Elizabeth–as a reader, I think that the “right” amount of extraneous detail depends on the style and tone of the series. I like some right off the bat in the first book, because I want to care about the MC, and I like to learn a little more about him/her with each succeeding book. Comic series seem to need less than more serious ones, perhaps because introspection requires more detail to be effective.
There are two kinds of reading experience: the one to kill time, and the one to enrich it. A lot of publishers seem to think most readers just want to kill time, but I think they’re wrong, because there are so many other ways to kill time that compete with reading. I like my computer games for killing time or brainless relaxing. I like my reading time to transport me into another world (and one with better language). Detail is what fleshes out that world, and detail gives language a chance to do more than just give the facts.
Thus, as a writer, I work out the MC’s character arc as much as the mystery plot. Some readers think I’ve done information dumps (and they might be right). Others like the length and the immersion into her personal story, and the way her life contributes to the way she sorts out the mystery. The feedback from that sort of reader has been very supportive, and I’ve come to think of them as “my” readers.
The other comments are full of great ideas for Myrtle. The only idea I can think of is to take advantage of her age, of remembering how things were done differently at different times in the past. Someone who’s 80 now was born in 1934, and a lot of cultural history has evolved since then.
Oh, and for a bit of silliness: I was in the nursery section of a local big-box home improvement store yesterday and saw a 4′ high garden gnome. It was great, and I thought of you and Myrtle. It was $170, though, so is not making its way to my garden!
Meg–Thanks for coming by and for your insights!
You’re right about the comedic mysteries being tough to incorporate reflection in. These books are humorous and since some of Myrtle’s backstory is (in my head) a little sad, I haven’t shared it. But…readers are right. It was unusual for women from that generation not to have had children earlier than she did. So now I’m going to have to figure out if I want to change those details (that are only in my head, after all) to suit the series better (i.e…make them lighter) or if I want to inject a sort of sad note in the books. My inclination is that I should change them and make them lighter since there is usually an uproar when I ‘do anything’ to Myrtle (which I can certainly understand, as a reader) and because it doesn’t really fit the tone of the series. And I just commented on that a couple of posts ago–“Keeping Things Fresh Without Alarming Readers.”
I think I may have to start taking a more balanced approach to what I’m adding into the mix…somewhere between the type of development that you’re doing and what I was doing in the past. Find a little middle ground. And good idea about the kinds of changes that Myrtle has seen and experienced and how that may have affected her.
That’s a huge garden gnome! Myrtle could really make a statement with that thing. :) But her budget (retired English teacher) wouldn’t be able to swing $170 either…
It’s easy for readers to like/love a minor character because we writers tease them with information. I felt that was happening to my characters, so I worked out a serial that explored a few bit players. Readers were actually interested in only one flawed character (a womanizer who always gets in trouble every time) but not the others. I learned a lot from that experience but I wouldn’t do it again because my goals were not in line with the proper way to execute an 80,000 word book.
Your statement, “… warning against extraneous detail…” is exactly right. Some readers want to hear more about Joe while others find him boring. My lesson from the serial experiment was that readers don’t always want what they asked for.
So it dawned on me –while reading your excellent post– that what we really should (and can thanks to Amazon) do is put out short stories that explore those characters. I’m thinking something like a 12,000~ word short about a minor character in the aftermath of a full novel’s scenario for 99 cents.
You are way, way, way (way x 283) ahead of me in writing, books published, fan base, looks, brains, etc. So I’d LOVE to know your thoughts.
Peace, Seeley
Seeley–There was one Penguin supporting character of mine that has garnered the kind of interest you mention that your readers had for Joe. The problem was that she was a scene-stealer and I had to keep tamping her back down whenever she’d show up on stage or else she’d make my sleuth look dull. Readers loved her though and wanted more. So in one book, I gave her a much-larger role, which was a little risky. Editor didn’t mind, though, and the readers seemed to enjoy it. I think I’d be nervous to do that again though unless it was the last book in the series or something.
So…the ideas I’m liking best are the 1) short story spin-off you mentioned, or short story exploring something that shows the character as separate from our genre (i.e…something like “Myrtle’s Christmas Catastrophe” …and no, readers, I won’t do that story, promise), or 2) Working the details that readers are curious about into the story somehow (even if it has to be a murderous family reunion or something), and 3) Keeping the extraneous stuff completely separate from the story by putting up Facebook pages for the characters or the series itself where True Fans can find it.
And thanks! But no, not far ahead of anyone and suffering from Impostor Syndrome nearly every day. :)
Seeley,
I think this is a great idea. I know sometimes, when finishing a book I am so excited or engaged by the ending that I am left wanting more. Especially if it is the last book available, you could get a short story out pretty fast exploring a main character or even a minor character and I think people would pick it up. It may even be a way to explore different aspects that you can’t in your main series.
Silas
Silas–I really, really need to brush up my short story skills. In a big way.
IMO – I think readers start to want that kind of back story after they fall in love with or identify strongly with your characters. The danger of filling books with too much back story is that you risk turning off new readers before they have a chance to love your characters and want this information. If you do put the back story in the book, you have to have something compelling to keep readers reading until they get to the point where they love your characters/world enough to want all the details. Diana Gabaldon has had huge success with her Outlander series and those books have A LOT of back story – to the point that I found them hard to get into myself… but the people who love her books love this aspect of her stories because they connect so strongly with the outlander world and the characters become real to them… It’s risky and really depends on your audience. If you are not inclined to risk adding a lot of back story, I would consider a companion book or a website for your series to share this kind of information. I remember J.R. Ward wrote a companion book to her Black Dagger Brotherhood series that was filled with what appeared to be ‘chat’ sessions between the characters of each of her books – sort of a behind the scenes look into their daily lives. I loved it – it was fascinating and funny, but you wouldn’t care for it unless you have read the books and really loved the characters enough to want more of them. Also, on her website, she has ‘interviews’ with each of the main characters from her books, and a section called “Slices of Life” – which are scenes from every day life. In my opinion, this is a much better format than Facebook for giving readers a place (outside of the books themselves) to learn more about your characters as you can make it easy for a reader to find information about a specific character they may be interested in. Facebook works for people who are plugged into your FB page from the beginning – sometimes (though seeing posts in their newsfeed is sporadic), but it is not as user friendly for new readers who come to your page later and want to learn about a specific character. I would use FB to direct readers to the website.
Thanks for all your wonderful posts!
Amy–Thanks for coming by and for these great ideas! A companion book is something that never occurred to me, although I’ve seen them done for other series (big series). What a cool idea! That could even be a novella, obviously. The idea of having a companion *website* instead of a companion book is also intriguing. That could also serve as a home for short stories written about secondary/supporting characters, etc. Very interesting idea!
I can see what you mean about FB being tricky to search for specifics. Wonder if Pinterest would be better suited for that? Except that’s so visually-oriented. Or, as you say, have a Facebook page that directs over to the special website.
Fascinating stuff! And, in a way, this could help us have a more modern, transmedia approach to our writing.
As always, a wonderful article. I’ve found this as well; readers can ask questions about details I thought would be read and forgotten. A couple of times I’ve been at a loss as to how to reply. Food for thought.
Karen–Thanks! It’s sort of…well, confusing when that happens, isn’t it? I expect feedback on the stories–the mystery, the sleuth’s behavior, the subplots. When I get excited feedback on the description of Myrtle’s living room…that’s food for thought, as you say, for sure. :)
I hadn’t thought about this all that much but you’ve got my brain firing! I do like getting to know characters and being surprised by new tidbits when I read a series. It’s fun learning new things about favourite characters. :)
Jemi–Great! I hadn’t thought about it either, although it’s true that I really like those tidbits as a reader for the series I’m especially avid about. The readers brought it to my attention…ha!
Thanks for writing about this and for sharing it. We ARE always being told to skip the info dump and for the most part that’s probably sage advice. I loved the example about Hercule Poirot. I always loved HIM and read his books more than Miss Marple. And it was because of his quirks and his banter with Captain Hastings.
I remember hearing about Nora Roberts After Death Series when I first began reading romance. I asked some people what was so great about the series, and they said they loved all the NEW bits of backstory they learned in each book and how it all tied in. I think it made them seem real to the reader. That leads me to believe that if you are skilled in peppering your stories with backstory details your readers will feel rewarded for putting in the time to read your books. It becomes almost a conversation where every time they show up they get another fun/exciting/mystery-solving tidbit about a character they’re invested in, and that keeps them coming back for more.
Normandie–Interesting idea! So, really, almost like a serial for bits of backstory with a small amount in each installment. I like that idea because, as you say, it rewards particularly dedicated readers for coming back each time (but doesn’t confuse newbies).
Poirot was a *great* character. And not just because he solved mysteries well! I think it was his flaws that made him so interesting, too–his vanity, for one. I don’t think Miss Marple’s flaws were fully explored (I don’t feel nosiness is a flaw in a sleuth…it’s a necessity!)
Thought provoking and very relevant post.
My favorite series of all time is the Discworld by Terry Pratchett. As a fan, I love meeting up with old characters and finding out how they’ve progressed over the years. I don’t believe a new reader starting a Discworld novel in the middle of the series would struggle that much to understand these characters but they would definitely enjoy the books more if they start at the beginning. Pratchett does a great job of adding a fresh layer to an old character that makes you think ‘Oh. I didn’t know that about them’ or ‘Wow! I wasn’t expecting that.’ I think he did this particular well with his YA spin-off about the young witch Tiffany Aching.
As a writer currently halfway through a series consisting of six books with a few recurring characters, working the backstory has been a challenge. As you said, some readers want a lot of info, some want less. To solve the largest backstory of them all, the penultimate book in the series will go back to the very beginning of the saga, a prequel to the final book, which brings all the characters of the first four books together for their final adventure (now that one will be a POV nightmare!) I am still uncertain as to how long it will be and it may turn out to be a novella rather than the usual 100-105K words novel.
I also find it intriguing what readers and fans pick up on and what they want to know about the characters and the story. My beta-readers also similarly surprise me at times as they view the MS in a very different way that I do. Because I know these characters inside out doesn’t always mean I’m successfully relaying that information across.
One fun way I’ve dealt with backstory and the extra information that never go in the books has been to add a Bonus section to my website. On there are character profiles revealing interesting titbits about the protagonists of each novel, as well as the research material.
I even have music playlists for each book! :D