Master the backstory balancing act and flesh out your characters or setting in the best way for your readers.
There’s nothing worse than getting cornered at a party with a stranger who talks endlessly about themselves – too much backstory! The same is true with characters on the page. Readers don’t need to be regaled with great slabs of personal history about characters in order to care about them, or in order to understand what’s happening. Backstory can notoriously bog down a manuscript, particularly in the opening chapters. But how do you determine how much backstory is too much or not enough? And where do you put it? Through writing exercises and looking at excerpts from published books, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to use backstory effectively, and how to get the most out of what you know about your characters and settings without sacrificing narrative momentum.
This is a live stream recording of a face-to-face event. To attend the face-to-face version, book here.
Learning Outcomes:
You will improve your writing skill-set through practical exercises and group discussions, you will gain the below:
An understanding of what constitutes backstory.
An ability to recognise when backstory is needed and when it isn’t.
Specific strategies for how to use backstory effectively.
Format:
This is a hybrid workshop with a focus on craft; it will be live streamed simultaneously to an online audience. It is a level 1 course, suitable for writers of all levels.
More information on program formats and level definitions can be found here.
About Laurel:
Laurel Cohn is an editor passionate about communication and the power of stories in our lives. Since the late 1980s she has been helping writers prepare their work for publication. She works with writers, publishers, businesses and community organisations, and is a popular workshop presenter. She has a PhD in literary and cultural studies.
How to Connect to the Live Stream:
When you buy a ticket, you will receive two emails. One will be your receipt from Eventbrite. The other will be an email from Queensland Writers Centre on behalf of Crowdcast, our live stream provider. The latter email will thank you for registering for the course and provide you with a link to the video. A representation of this email is below; the 'Visit Event' button will take you to the live stream's landing page.
It is only through this link in which you may access the live stream, so it is important that you check that you have received it. In case you misplace this email, you will receive another email with the live stream link 10 minutes before the course is scheduled to start. If you don't receive the initial email when you buy the ticket, contact us on 07 3842 9922 or at admin@qldwriters.org.au.
FAQs
Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
Unless otherwise stated, Queensland Writers Centre workshops and events are suitable for participants aged 16 years and over. If you are under 18 years of age, please check with us for suitability before purchasing a ticket.
Can I ask the instructor questions as a live stream viewer?
We will have a live stream facilitator monitoring the chat section, so if there is a recurring question being asked, that employee will ask the instructor on the viewers' behalf. Naturally, the instructor will also provide time to answer such questions; however, depending on the number of live stream viewers, for the tutor to answer everyone's question within the time allocated can be a challenge, so please understand.
What should prepare for the event?
We suggest having either a pen and paper or electronic note-taking device as you watch the live stream.
How do I access the event?
Once you have purchased a ticket on Eventbrite, you will receive two emails: one from Eventbrite confirming your purchase and another from the live stream provider, Crowdcast, with your unique link to the live stream. If you do not receive two emails, please check your spam folder or else please contact QWC.
Can I playback the live stream after the event has happened?
Yes! You will have access to the live stream for seven days after the event. If you are watching the playback after the live stream, please keep in mind that you won't be able to use the chat feature and ask questions to the presenter. For the best experience, we highly recommend watching live. After seven days your access will be revoked. You cannot purchase access to the live stream after the physical event has started.
What am I allowed to say in the group chat?
The group chat is a fantastic way to interact and collaborate with other online participants, the QWC live stream facilitator, and the presenter. We expect members to be courteous and respectful in the group chat. The same behaviour you would conduct yourself in person at a QWC event is expected online. The QWC live stream facilitator will ban any participants who don't abide by these rules so other participants can enjoy the event. If you are banned you will not be refunded the admission.
How do I improve the video quality of my live stream?
Every live stream is broadcasted in high definition. To watch the live stream in the best quality, select the gear icon in the bottom left of the video and select the highest possible resolution (in most cases this is 720p).
What internet browser should I use?
Our live stream provider, Crowdcast, recommends using Google Chrome to watch the live stream. However, the live stream does support Firefox, Opera, Edge, and Safari.
Can I watch the live stream on my mobile device?
On Android, Crowdcast can be used with Chrome for Android or Firefox for Android.
On iOS, you can use the Crowdcast app or view in your favourite Mobile browser!
If using the app, you can access the event by clicking the link sent to your email on your device and this will open the event in the app.
How can I contact the organiser with any questions?
You can contact us by phone on 07 3842 9922 or email us at admin@qldwriters.org.au