Long form - separate backstory

[LustfulLibido]

Hi

I've been writing poetry for years and I've always been a fan of erotica since I first discovered it in my teens.

I've started writing my first story and I realised that the introduction/backstory is lengthy.
I have included little snipits of sexual descriptions, but I'm concerned there will be a leap as the story escalates.

Should I separate the set up so that readers can ignore it if they want to?

 

[ElectricBlue]

Should I separate the set up so that readers can ignore it if they want to?

You might need to start the story earlier, if that stuff is important; or lose it completely because it's probably not needed at all. Ask yourself, why is it needed, who cares?

If the set up can be ignored by readers, it sounds like that's the answer - you don't need it.

 

[StillStunned]

Welcome to Lit!

About the backstory: ask yourself first whether the reader needs to know it, and if so, how much. In most cases, a few lines are enough - drop some hints, make the readers think. They become more engaged if they have to work things out for themselves. It can be useful for the writer to have it clear in their head, but it should be like the bulk of an iceberg that supports the visible tip.

Essentially, the question is this: would the backstory make a decent story by itself? If not, you don't need it. Backstory (like worldbuilding in SF&F) requires an investment from the reader that you haven't earned yet. Readers generally need to be hooked by a character or an event before they start caring about the world or the past.

 

[THBGato]

Good advice above.

Alternatively, can the backstory be revealed throughout the story in dribs and drabs, perhaps in dialogue between the protagonists as they get to know each other?

 

[LustfulLibido]

Thank you all so much for the quick replies, very helpful advice.
This seems like a very supportive community

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Should I separate the set up so that readers can ignore it if they want to?

No one should be ignoring anything in your story. There should be no option to skip ahead. It's not 'choose your own adventure'.

If your backstory is too long try a few things:

1 ~ Re-read it carefully and determine what parts are necessary for the reader to know and if there are any parts that really aren't necessary and remove them.

2 ~ Re-read it again and determine how much of the backstory the reader needs to know 'now' and if any could be told later. That way you can break up your backstory and tell a little bit of it here and there so that it's not just a big wall of info at once.

3 ~ Show some or all of your backstory rather than tell it. Sneak it in in clever ways like through dialogue or flashback or simple scenes that actually show the events rather than you just flatly telling them. Sometimes you can do it through simple tricks. For instance, if your character was recently divorced you could mention a callus mark or a tan line around his finger where he used to wear a ring. Stuff like that.

 

[TheWritingGroup]

Modern poetry doesn't (to the best of my knowledge) need a "hook", but it's something modern prose almost demands. That is, the first few sentences have to grab the reader, make her want to read more, or (especially in a place with millions of stories like Literotica) she'll just close the tab and read something else.

It's very easy to start with, "Please read this encyclopedia article on my characters." That isn't going to hold most people's attention. It's so easy because we, the writers, have so much cool information on these people and these situations, we worked so hard on them, but the reader has no reason to care, yet.

For some of my stories, I end up writing what ends up being a very boring few pages of setup and description. Then, once I have the actual story started, I cut it right back out, and drop the critical information in as @THBGato suggests, as the plot demands or allows.

Let me get all litcrit on you: as a poet, you're probably aware of the concept of "negative space" in art. The stuff you leave out, the mysteries that remain when the reader is done, can be as big a part of the final work as what is present in the words (or paint, or notes).

-Billie

 

[LustfulLibido]

Thanks again!
I can't believe how many people are willing to offer advice and support to newbies

All great advice, now to get back on it!

 

[StillStunned]

I can't believe how many people are willing to offer advice and support to newbies

We offer our advice to everyone, actually, but only the newbies still listen.

 

[Rob_Royale]

You gotta get the readers attention quickly here. A lengthy backstory isn't a good way to do that. It's like eating really dry turkey, with no gravy. But if you break it up and add it into the story in little bits, it's much more palatable.

"You look terrific tonight. I'm so glad you came." John whispered in her ear. His body was close to hers as they danced, and she could feel his warmth. His hand on the small of her back felt wonderful.

Angie sighed. "So, am I." John was so different from her ex, who barely paid her any attention at all. So different from all her exes, as a matter of fact. Her track record with men, wasn't great.

Do something like that, until the reader has enough to understand the character. @StillStunned is quite correct, in most cases, the readers don't really need a huge backstory. Often its more about the writer flexing their creative muscles in the mirror.

 

[Cagivagurl]

A back story, (In my opinion isn't a good way to start a story.
It is valid, and important. As @THBGato said. The best way to deal with back story is to incorporate it in the actual story. Reveal it in small doses throughout.
Sprinkle it like fairy dust.
Todays readers need to be hooked early. Start with a passage that may be from the middle of the story. A little drama, some tension. Dialogue is a good way to capture attention.
We, the readers don't need to know everything about your characters in one hit.
Reveal them as they're introduced in the story...

Those are my thoughts. Be warned... I'm not an expert. Merely telling you what I like to read...
If a story starts with an info dump. I sort of cringe and turn off...

There's so many great stories in here. If you don't capure my attention quickly. You've lost me.

Cagivagurl

 

[jaF0]

No one should be ignoring anything in your story. There should be no option to skip ahead. It's not 'choose your own adventure'.

Then they just skip the whole thing and don't read it at all.

 

[Katie_Mae]

The back story is the stuff that happens before the story. The stuff that happens after the story starts and before the sex is part of the story, not back story. If you decide you've started your story too early and re-write the beginning then yes, some of that story will become the backstory.
A lot of people have answered this with how to handle the backstory, but I wanted to clarify if you meant the backstory, or if you're more asking where to start your story, or how long the story can be before the sex starts?

 

[BobbyBrandt]

Hi

I've been writing poetry for years and I've always been a fan of erotica since I first discovered it in my teens.

I've started writing my first story and I realised that the introduction/backstory is lengthy.
I have included little snipits of sexual descriptions, but I'm concerned there will be a leap as the story escalates.

Should I separate the set up so that readers can ignore it if they want to?

There are some different techniques mentioned in this "How To" that might help you with addressing your dilemma.