Fiction Writing: How to Include Back-Story Without an Info Dump

Who wants to read a story that starts with the birth of the main character and follows them through their entire life? This method of fiction writing is hardly ever successful. Why? Because readers will not care about everything that happened to the character when he was two, three, four, and more. They want to get to the action... the stuff that matters to the story or book in front of them.

But what about backstory? Information that happened outside the scope of the piece of fiction writing is often necessary to understand the plot. A character's history can provided needed clues about their current emotional state, goals, or reactions to events. Some backstory must be included.

The worst way to include backstory in your fiction writing is with an info dump. An info dump is exactly what it sounds like, a big, steaming pile of information without action or characterization. It is bland, boring, and will scare off readers faster than anything.

So how do you include backstory without resorting to the dreaded info dump? There are several acceptable ways. What works best in your fiction writing depends on the writing and story itself.

Include Backstory - Prologue

It is important, if you choose to have a prologue in your fiction writing, that you do not turn it into an info dump. Prologues should have action, character interaction, and even dialogue. However, the prologue can be set in the past and give backstory by showing the exact event as it happened.

Include Backstory - Memory

Another fine way to include backstory in your fiction writing is by having a character remember something. This can be done internally, or the character can relate a memory to another character through dialogue. Remember that a memory can be tinged with the character's present mind state and feelings.

Include Backstory - Flashback

A flashback is similar to a memory, as it can relate an entire incident that happened in the past. However, while a memory is seen through the filter of the present, a flashback is the event exactly as it happened. Flashbacks only work if they occur naturally and for a reason.

Include Backstory - Sprinkles

Arguably the best way to avoid an info dump when putting backstory in your fiction writing is to give it in small doses, or sprinkle it throughout your writing. New events and character interactions can trigger spot memories - "Betty had lost weight since we dated. If she looked this good in jeans back then, I would've been more worried about her cheating on me, instead of the other way around." Sprinkled of the past give information without disrupting the flow of the story.