One of my favorite shows this year has been Person of Interest on CBS. If you like thrillers, intrigue, and a bit of suspense, you’d probably enjoy this show as much as I do.
In last week’s episode the writers ventured into Mr. Reese’s backstory. They’ve shown some snippets and enough proof via his actions about Reese’s moral code (he’s a good guy) and his expertise (via Special Forces, CIA). But this episode really exposed what Reese is all about emotionally.
Ongoing education is part of an author’s life. We learn more about our craft with each draft of our books, through conference workshops, online classes, and feedback from editors and other authors.
But craft, education, and experience can only carry the story so far.
At some point, the heart of the author has to enter into it. We infuse our characters and our plots with a part of ourselves, a facet of our world view, or a peek at our priorities or fantasies. At some point in the process, our personal backstory comes in to play.
No person has the same history or life experience as another. What life throws at us and, more importantly, how we deal with those events makes us unique as individuals. Within a family, even a close family, the same event will affect each person a little differently.
That unique perspective is personal backstory and it influences the way authors tell their stories, no matter what genre they write.
My work is primarily fiction, often set in the future, often with paranormal elements. It’s true people die in my books. Usually the bad guys meet a bad end. That doesn’t mean I have latent lethal tendencies, but like many other authors, I admit I’ve killed off a few frustrations symbolically in my stories. 😉
I have five novels (so far) and several short stories in a series known as the Shadows of Justice series. You’d be right to think I have a thing for seeing wrongs avenged and justice achieved. My stories also explore a strong, abiding love and show characters who venture forward, conquering obstacles (and bad guys).
While my personal backstory has its dark spots just like everyone else’s, my imagination is my most valuable tool in my storytelling. But being raised with love, surrounded by people of integrity willing to step up and confront injustice obviously had a lasting impact.
Live the adventure!
