For mothers, grandmothers, and great-grandmothers . . .

                                                     – Jillian

This is NOT a post about limiting backstory in your manuscript, query, or synopsis to avoid info dump.* I completely agree with that recommendation. This post is about what I learned about backstory from Jodi Henley who is a story consultant, workshop instructor, developmental editor, and author.

Backstory, or in Jodi’s terms “core event,” is important in the pre-planning stages.

Why is backstory essential? The emotions stemming from this core event form the structure of your story and affect everything from the character’s GMC to the HEA. While you’re writing, even the slightest tweak in backstory and related emotions can create a tsunami of changes that will either sink your story structure or throw it off course.

Has that ever happened to you?

What backstory would you create for the girl in the painting?

LINKS:

For more information about Jodi Henley, her workshops, and free instructional videos, visit . . .

http://jodihenley.blogspot.com/

http://www.savvyauthors.com/vb/showevent.php?eventid=1613

https://www.youtube.com/results?q=jodi+henley&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=w1

For an opposing view on the importance of backstory, visit Historical Romance author, Joanna Bourne.

http://jobourne.blogspot.com/2013/03/backstory-finally-two-rules.html

*In case you really wanted information on limiting backstory to avoid info dumping, visit the following blogs.

An interview with literary agent, Sara Megibow

http://madamewriterofwrongs.blogspot.com/2013/05/backstory-done-right.html

A post by Contemporary Romance author, Sugar Jamison

http://secretsof7scribes.wordpress.com/2013/03/04/the-thing-about-backstory/

According to an old British superstition if you washed your face in the morning dew on May 1^st, you would have a beautiful complexion for the rest of the year. Supposedly the magical dew removed blemishes and freckles, too. I don’t know about you, but I missed my chance to rush out into the garden and wash my face in the May dew this morning. Too bad Mountain Dew doesn’t work the same way.

Congratulations to Haley W.! She is the only winner. -Jillian

Winner(s) will be notified by email and announced here on Mon. Apr. 29th.-Jillian

Welcome to my Terrible Twos Contest! Now that my website is entering its second year, it’s time to celebrate. Instead of messing up my hair and pinching my sister on the knee like I did when I was a toddler, I’m giving away two $10.00 Amazon gift cards. For your chance to be one of the two lucky winners, please answer the following questions by email. See rules below.

Contest Questions (Answers can be found on this website.)

1. What inspired my passion for history, research, and England?
   
2. How do the Victorian characters in my current manuscript plan to end their marriage?

Rules:

1) You must reside in the U.S. and be over eighteen to win. (Sorry foreign visitors.)
Void where prohibited. Odds of winning depend on the number of eligible participants. You may only enter ONE time using ONE email address. (Multiple entries will be disqualified.)
2) Your entry must contain the correct answers to the two contest questions above.
3) Use the subject line Terrible Twos Contest and email your entry to jillianlark dot com at gmail dot com by midnight (CST) Fri., Apr. 26^th
4) Winners will be selected from a random drawing of eligible entries and must provide their U.S. mailing address to receive their prize. The two winners will each receive a $10.00 gift card via email directly from Amazon.
5) Winners will be notified by email and announced here on Mon., Apr.29^th.

Good luck!

Jillian

Jillian Lark (and my website) are twelve months old. Thanks to my web guru, Cheryl Rae, I don’t use gestures and point to things anymore. She is busy trying to Jillian-proof my website as I learn how to share and play well with WordPress.

Although my understanding is improving, I’m not sure my hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity ever will. The most difficult tasks are juggling time and balancing a computer on my lap. Who knew I could accidentally like my own post?

If you understand how to fix that, please let me know SOON. I’ve resisted shaking, banging, and throwing my computer, but remember I’m starting my Terrible Twos. Tantrums are a distinct possibility. 

                                                   - Jillian

P.S. I’m aware that having a giveaway for readers is popular, because it drives more traffic to a website. Personally I’d rather thank those of you who actually visited my site this past year. I’m sorry I don’t know the names of everyone who did, but I truly appreciate you and the following friends and visitors who left comments.

Deb Sanders, Paranormal Erotica and Romantic Suspense  http://debsanders.com/

Ana Farrish, Historical Romance    https://twitter.com/AnaFarrish

Chris Campillo, Contemporary Romance http://chriscampillo.com/

Tammy Ramirez, Women’s Fiction http://tammy-ramirez.com/

Gary Brandt, Writer, http://jillianlark.com/2012/05/25/writer-whisperer-of-the-week-gary-brandt/

Cheryl Rae, Artist (Web and Author Designs) http://cheryl-rae.com/

Haley Whitehall, Historical Fiction http://haleywhitehall.com/

Nanette Littlestone, Women’s Fiction/Coach http://www.wordsofpassion.com/index.html

Laurie Schnebly, Author/ Workshop  Presenter http://www.booklaurie.com/

Lila Gillard,  Historical Romance http://www.lilagillard.com/

Kristin Noel Fischer, Contemporary Romance https://twitter.com/KristinFischer

Alexa Bourne, Romantic Suspense http://www.alexabourne.com/

Louisa Edwards, Contemporary Romance www.louisaedwards.com/

Jane Meyers Perrine, Inspirational Romance http://www.janemyersperrine.com/

Carrie Murgittroyd, Writer

Sue Morrow, Best Non-Writer Friend Ever

Belinda Pollard, Writer/Editor www.smallbluedog.com/

Jenny Hansen, Writer/ Social Media http://jennyhansenauthor.wordpress.com/

Sasha White,  Erotica    http://www.sashawhite.net/

Bookswagger.com, Romance Book Reviews http://bookswagger.com/

Wiseink, Indie Author Site http://www.wiseinkblog.com/

Letterfrombritain, Site for Anglophiles http://letterfrombritain.com/

Current Archeology, Online Magazine http://www.archaeology.co.uk/

How did you find me? Let Google explain their ways. If you entered the search terms below, I appreciate your perseverance and hope you locate what you want. This post is dedicated to you.

1. Once upon a time room

2. Mrs. Lord’s hat shop

3. Kitchen Maid cabinets 2001

4. Thomas Alva Edison creation

5. Tiptoe upon little hill

6. Green fence post straw hat

7. Put wine in a time capsule quote

8. Was Bourne Part of Lark?

9. Iron Maiden childhood home site

10. Pot Lark or Pot Luck?

P.S.
Please vote for your favorite search term(s) and visit my website any time.
- Jillian

RELATED POST:

Finding Jillian Lark http://jillianlark.com/2012/07/15/finding-jillian-lark/

Happy Easter!

-Jillian

Lewis Carroll was a genius whose stories were first illustrated by John Tenniel. From the Jabberwock to the Bandersnatch galumphing after Alice with heavy footsteps, Carroll created an imaginary world with its own language. Two of my favorite nonsense words are, “frabjous,” a combination of fabulous and joyous, and “frumious,” state of being between fabulous and furious. My characters and I know the feelings.

In the latter part of the nineteenth century, Lewis Carroll’s true identity, Charles Dodgson, was well-known and the popularity of his stories spread. Two of his famous readers were Oscar Wilde and Queen Victoria, who invited him to entertain two of her grandchildren.

I’ve seen almost every film version of this classic story. If you missed the 1903 and the 1915 silent film adaptations or the original edition of the book, click on the links below.

Have a Frabjous Spring Break! I’ll resume blogging in April-Jillian

LINKS:

1903 and 1915 Silent film adaptations of Alice in Wonderland:

http://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Alice_in_Wonderland_%281903_film%29

http://publicdomainreview.org/2012/03/22/alice-in-wonderland-1915/

Original Alice edition (virtual view with page turn and audio)

http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/ttp/alice/accessible/page1.html#content