Today, we’re going to be talking about the Backstory for a Flat Arc protagonist. The Backstory is a vital part of a book or movie, so you have to make sure that you pin it down before you begin writing the story.

If you’ve already read my Positive Change Arc series, you probably remember when I talked about the Ghost of a Positive Change Arc character. And if you haven’t read that post, you can check it out by clicking here.

The Backstory of a Flat Arc character is very similar to the Ghost. However, the main difference is how that Backstory affected the MC. In a Positive Change Arc, the Ghost is the reason the MC believes the Lie. But in a Flat Arc, the MC will believe the Truth either because of or in spite of the Backstory.

Let’s take a look at a few elements to consider when creating your MC’s Backstory:

1. The Truth

The Truth can play many different roles in a Backstory, depending on where your MC is at during that time. Do they already believe the Truth and hold to it in spite of opposition? Or do they come to believe the Truth because of their Backstory?

Either way, the Truth needs to be present in the Backstory. Just like the MC might have a history with the antagonist or other supporting characters, they will also have a history with the Truth. Their relationship with the Truth began before the story starts, and will continue after the story ends.

In “The Basket of Flowers,” Mary learned the Truth from her father as a young girl. She had small hardships living as a peasant, but they weren’t much. So when the actual story starts, her belief in the Truth is getting tested for the first time.

In “Pendragon,” Artos, too, learned the Truth from his parents. And he also hasn’t experienced any huge hardships in his life… at least, until the story begins.

2. The plot

Depending on your story and its needs, there are things that will have to be in place before the actual story begins. A lot of times, the Backstory will tie characters and events together in ways that could make for some great story elements.

Shocking plot reveals, tons of juicy conflict, and more can result from a well-written Backstory. And on top of that, the events of the Backstory will often affect the future choices and motivations of the characters.

In “The Basket of Flowers,” Mary’s father was actually a gardener for the count, which is how they obtained the cottage they now live in.

In “Pendragon,” it seems that Artos’ father was somewhat of a renowned warrior in his day, as even King Ambrosius had heard of him.

3. The MC’s role

What role does your MC play in their Backstory? Were they a villain, a mistreated orphan, a world-renowned journalist, or the sidekick to a superhero? Their role during the Backstory—as well as their relationship to the Truth—will help to set up the current story.

Perhaps they’re now trying to seek forgiveness for their actions. Or maybe they now have a desire to help other orphans. Or maybe they want to settle down and retire. Or perhaps they now want to become something more than a sidekick.

In “The Basket of Flowers,” Mary’s role in her Backstory is minimal… up until the beginning of the story, she’s a peasant girl living a simple life.

In “Pendragon,” it’s much of the same for Artos… his Backstory is fairly short, and he doesn’t get much action until the story begins.

4. The reveal

Whenever you’re writing the Backstory, you have to make sure you know when and how exactly you’re going to reveal it. Bit by bit? All at once? During a major plot point? At the beginning? At the end?

You’ll also have to determine who it’s being revealed to. How much does the MC know? How much do the antagonist and other characters know? And, of course, you always have to ask how much the audience knows.

In “The Basket of Flowers,” there isn’t much Backstory to tell, so it’s dropped in little hints along the way.

In “Pendragon,” the Backstory is mostly told by the narrator, Artos’ sister, who is looking back on the events of the story. The rest of it can be pieced together by things the characters say.

Here are some other examples of Backstories from fiction:

1. Sophie’s orphaned past; what happened with the BFG and the little boy (“The BFG”)

2. The abandonment of earth and the altered course of the Axiom (“Wall-E”)

3. The death of their father and the dividing of his estate (“Sense & Sensibility”)

4. The first capture and sentence of Frank Miller (“High Noon”)

5. When the explorer first meets Paddington’s aunt and uncle (“Paddington”)

Comment below the Backstory of your favorite book or movie!