This course is now finished. Sign up for our waitlist here to find out when it’s running again. In the meantime, check out our list of current courses or sign up for our Newsbite weekly newsletter for updates.

This creative writing course with Laurel Cohn about balancing backstory takes place at Writing NSW in Sydney.

There’s nothing worse than getting cornered at a party with a stranger determined to tell you all 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?

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ >

Through writing exercises and looking at excerpts from published books, this course with Laurel Cohn will give you 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.

Expected learning outcomes

Participants will learn:

1. The importance of understanding your characters’ backstories
2. How to determine what backstory the reader needs to know
3. How backstory can increase dramatic tension and amplify themes
4. An awareness of how other writers use backstory

Participant requirements

Pen and paper, laptop optional. Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

Pre-reading: participants will receive PDF readings the week prior to the workshop, to be read in advance.

If you have questions about this course, please contact us.

Reviews

‘Approachable, engaging teaching style and great content clearly expressed and explained, coming from many years’ experience editing manuscripts.’ – Julie, 2022

More from Writing NSW

Check out our full range of in-person writing courses in Sydney, our online writing courses and our feedback programs to see how we can help you on your writing journey. Find out about our grants and prizes, as well as writing groups across NSW, and sign up to our weekly newsletter for writing events, opportunities and giveaways.