I have to admit–these days I'm all editor. Revising and editing other's work, as well as studying some published titles have been taking precedence over NEW writing. I've also taken on a couple of editing projects, and while taking a peek at submissions was very quickly reminded of how difficult it can be for authors to weave in backstory.
As part of my SCBWI mentorship with Lisa Moser, we did a picture book study of On Sand Island by Jacqueline Briggs-Martin. Lisa had mentioned the book was groundbreaking–and it is in many, many ways. Martin's ability to seamlessly weave in backstory is amazing. She thickens the plot (Carl building his very own boat start to finish) with the backstory of his Norwegian heritage and the longing for his late mother, and connects us to Carl, his sister without the reader even realizing they've slipped for a moment out of the present action of the story.
Too many times I read drafts of picture books or MG/YA novels and the backstory is literally "plopped" into the manuscript. This pulls the reader out of the story, reminding them that they're reading something made up, and can break that emotional connection or building tension that is so important in gripping a young reader. I encourage writers to weave the backstory into the scenes of the present story when appropriate. How?
There's no one recipe, but some of the ways Briggs-Martin does it are:
1. Through an object from the past; a physical thing that serves as a reminder
2. A comparison of something current to something in the character's past experience
3. A saying, phrase, custom, or tradition that lingers from past to present (or has changed now)
4. A character who is older, sharing their story (or journal/timeline) with the main character
5. Clever dialogue that allows the reader to discover something that has happened
6. A place - (in Martin's book there is a cave with drawings from the First People)
7. An author's note at the end (if you've got non-fiction/historical context to add as backstory)
When you're weaving in backstory, I think the key is to feed it a little at a time. Think of unfolding a character's past rather than unloading it.
And check out this Perfect Picture Book if you'd like inspiration on how to weave in backstory! If you're not familiar with Perfect Picture Book Fridays, hop on over to Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
Title: On Sand Island (A Golden Kite Honor Book)
Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Illustrator: David A Johnson
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2003
Genre: Picture Book
Ages: 6-10
Subjects: Fishing, Historical Fiction, Wisconsin, Death/Grief/Loss (Mother), Community
Description (from Amazon): In the deep blue waters of Lake Superior lies a small island of hummingbirds, rabbits, and hardy Norwegian fishing folk. On that island lives a boy named Carl who wants nothing more than to be out on the water in a boat of his own making. So this is a story of sawing, nailing, and sanding. But because Sand Island neighbors are closer than cousins, this is also a story of picking strawberries, moving rocks, and mending fishing nets fine as lace.
Why I chose this book: See above. But also because I am from Wisconsin and enjoy learning about the history of our fishing communities and immigrant experiences. And also because it's Friday of EARTH WEEK! I love sharing great stories for kids about our natural world.
Additional Resources:
Jacqueline Briggs-Martin's website has many shots of the inside of the book and a curriculum connections page. For more about the Apostle Islands, of which Sand Island is a part, visit this National Lakeshore website. You could also plan your own canoe/kayak trip there with the kids!
Comments are open!
As part of my SCBWI mentorship with Lisa Moser, we did a picture book study of On Sand Island by Jacqueline Briggs-Martin. Lisa had mentioned the book was groundbreaking–and it is in many, many ways. Martin's ability to seamlessly weave in backstory is amazing. She thickens the plot (Carl building his very own boat start to finish) with the backstory of his Norwegian heritage and the longing for his late mother, and connects us to Carl, his sister without the reader even realizing they've slipped for a moment out of the present action of the story.
Too many times I read drafts of picture books or MG/YA novels and the backstory is literally "plopped" into the manuscript. This pulls the reader out of the story, reminding them that they're reading something made up, and can break that emotional connection or building tension that is so important in gripping a young reader. I encourage writers to weave the backstory into the scenes of the present story when appropriate. How?
There's no one recipe, but some of the ways Briggs-Martin does it are:
1. Through an object from the past; a physical thing that serves as a reminder
2. A comparison of something current to something in the character's past experience
3. A saying, phrase, custom, or tradition that lingers from past to present (or has changed now)
4. A character who is older, sharing their story (or journal/timeline) with the main character
5. Clever dialogue that allows the reader to discover something that has happened
6. A place - (in Martin's book there is a cave with drawings from the First People)
7. An author's note at the end (if you've got non-fiction/historical context to add as backstory)
When you're weaving in backstory, I think the key is to feed it a little at a time. Think of unfolding a character's past rather than unloading it.
And check out this Perfect Picture Book if you'd like inspiration on how to weave in backstory! If you're not familiar with Perfect Picture Book Fridays, hop on over to Susanna Leonard Hill's blog.
Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Illustrator: David A Johnson
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2003
Genre: Picture Book
Ages: 6-10
Subjects: Fishing, Historical Fiction, Wisconsin, Death/Grief/Loss (Mother), Community
Description (from Amazon): In the deep blue waters of Lake Superior lies a small island of hummingbirds, rabbits, and hardy Norwegian fishing folk. On that island lives a boy named Carl who wants nothing more than to be out on the water in a boat of his own making. So this is a story of sawing, nailing, and sanding. But because Sand Island neighbors are closer than cousins, this is also a story of picking strawberries, moving rocks, and mending fishing nets fine as lace.
Why I chose this book: See above. But also because I am from Wisconsin and enjoy learning about the history of our fishing communities and immigrant experiences. And also because it's Friday of EARTH WEEK! I love sharing great stories for kids about our natural world.
Additional Resources:
Jacqueline Briggs-Martin's website has many shots of the inside of the book and a curriculum connections page. For more about the Apostle Islands, of which Sand Island is a part, visit this National Lakeshore website. You could also plan your own canoe/kayak trip there with the kids!
Comments are open!
