In this last lesson I’m sharing a recap of conflict and backstory.

NOTE: I have a few more examples of how to share backstory in conversation, flashback and in thoughts. They’ll be added to the “Sharing Backstory” Discussion Thread

Though we are focusing on older characters, these points can apply to any characters you write about. But if a character is older and has a lot more life experience, you have a lot of backstory to work with.

Everything does not have to be on the page – share only what is necessary for the story.

Try this…

If it’s helpful, write a character description of who they were as a young child or young adult. Then compare that to who they are when your story begins. Have they changed a lot? In what way? What is important to them now that wasn’t important in their earlier years?

Consider how wounds and trauma might have changed them. Are they ready to live life on their terms? Or are they still focused on past events?

Remember every trauma doesn’t have to be horrific. It could be major to the character but not seem that way to others in the story.

Also consider that younger characters in your story (If you have them) might not understand the older character’s viewpoint. Over time, certain experiences can bring awareness that a younger person (who hasn’t had those experiences) might not be able to see – as yet.

Learning to live with grief and disappointment can change a person’s perspective. Sure, younger people can also have those experiences. But, chances are the older character will have a lot more of those situations in their backstory. (Though in real life, that depends on a lot of factors. A young person in an unstable environment or living with a chronic illness may have acquired wisdom beyond their years.)

Life Experiences

As people mature they also have accumulated life experiences. They may not have the same innocence or assumptions that things will work out.

Instead, they may get stuck in patterns of behavior and be less likely to take risks. That means more internal conflict. Trust might be harder for them if they're basing the current relationship on past disappointments.

How will they open up and be vulnerable? How will they resolve guilt from past decisions?

An example

I recently saw a movie from the 1990's called Regarding Henry starring Harrison Ford. He's a successful attorney who is shot during a robbery at a local store. He goes into a coma and when he wakes, he has lost his memory. Though there are some memories that are buried, for the most part he has to learn everything over again.

Because he doesn't remember the person he was, he has a fresh start without all the baggage. It's not an easy transition for him but his relationship with his wife and child are re-kindled and he (from what we've seen and been told) is a better person now.

He's better because he doesn’t have all the behaviors that had made him extremely successful while being ruthless and lacking in empathy. There are references to imply Henry was raised by a demanding father, but we don’t get more information about his backstory.

The character is probably in the 35-45 age range, which was old enough to have a developed personality. What I mean is, he was already established in his life at that point. But the injury and recovery sent him on a different path.

His conflicts included:

-A loss of identity

-Having old friends and colleagues discard him because he wasn’t the man they remembered

-Finding out his marriage had been in trouble

-Having to build a new relationship with his daughter

-Realizing he couldn’t be the man that he was (an attorney) due to his memory loss and brain injury

The focus was on his recovery and his new life. However, it makes an interesting point. What would happen if a person could not remember most of their past? How would they be different if their backstory was erased?

What Do Your Characters Want?

You'll have to know what their goals are before you can know what keeps them in conflict.

If she wants to move take that job in Paris but he wants to pursue a career in California – that could be a conflict. Long distance romances are a big challenge. Can they overcome it?

He lost his first love because she broke up with him, and his current love is frustrated because he withholds his emotions – that is a common conflict in stories (and real life too).

If she is a vampire who can only move freely during the day, but he's under a curse that keeps him from being out in the sun – that's a conflict if they can't meet up!

In fact I think there have been fantasies where the characters have been separated because a spell has put them at odds with each other. For instance, the 1985 dark fantasy movie, Ladyhawke describes this type of situation.

Conflicts Should Not Be Easily Resolved

You can have all kinds of conflicts that create obstacles for your characters. BUT you should be able to identify the deep needs that are driving them. What goal do they absolutely have to fulfill, or their life isn't worth living?

In a romance, the goal is for the characters to find love. What can you do to complicate that as much as possible?

Stakes are even higher for an older character who might feel like life has passed them by. Or have challenges and responsibilities that cause them stress – can they make space in their life for a relationship?

If they feel anxieties about being older, how can that be overcome? How will they be intimate (if that's in your story)? Will they feel uncomfortable or are they finally free to express their emotions and enjoy those encounters?

What if they grew up in a repressive family or community – how do they view the world as an adult if they were forced to follow certain rules as a youth?

Be careful not to make your characters into stereotypes. Older doesn’t have to be mean bitter, or sad, or unhealthy, or lonely.

Your characters can live to the fullest no matter the age. Readers are anxious to see a variety of older characters on the page. Authors can give the readers what they want - bring those characters to life!

Questions?

If you have any questions that haven't been answered, let me know!

This is the last class. I've really enjoyed it, and I hope you have too.

It's not too late to share excerpts and homework. I'll check back over the weekend.

If you’d like to find out more about my books and what I’m up to, visit me here: Blog for Author Deborah A. Bailey | Author Deborah A Bailey. When I have upcoming classes I post them on the blog (though you’ll also receive a notification from Savvy Authors for classes I present here).

I've got a class coming up here on Savvy in February. I hope you'll take a look and sign up if you're interested:

02/26/24-03/03/24 - Second Chance Romance

Second chance romance is a popular trope that covers a lot of situations. A chance to make up after a split. A second chance at love for "older" heroines. Another chance for love after heartbreak or trauma. Second chances come in many forms and readers love to experience them. Learn how to build your character's backstory and make their second chance extra satisfying for your readers.

What kind of second chance story are you telling? (Types of second chances)
What are the risks and what will your character gain?
Conflicts - what will they have to do to overcome the obstacles?
Backstory – why is your character in this situation and what do they really want?
Make the reader care – how they can become invested in your character's journey.

Genre-Romance - Second Chance Romances with Deb Bailey

Good luck on your writing journey & I hope to connect with you again!

Writing Romance with "Older" Characters with Deb Bailey