Backstory

I've run into a few issues with my novel... Not major, just things that need to be clarified. I'm not very good about writing backstory or history or character sketches before I start a story. I know a lot of authors do extensive pre-work, but I just prefer to let it all unfold as I go. But now, I have to push the pause button on the writing/editing process. I'm a little stuck. I need to go back and write some backstory.

I actually like this right now. I could look at this as a stumbling block, challenge, or barrier to success, but I think I was supposed to write everything I've written up till now before stopping to do this backstory bit. The history and mythology of the world I'm creating has been rolling around in my head for ages, but only by developing characters through the narrative and dialogue that I've already written have I discovered the pieces I was missing.

When I first came up with this book idea a few years ago, I pictured only a few characters. I've discovered a whole new race in the writing process, and I've discovered a whole new arm of the magic of the world. It's been an exhilarating process, but now that I've discovered them, I need to do a little anthropology.

I think that's what appeals to me about fantasy -- the anthropology of it. More about that another day...

I'll have more about the backstory later. I think I may publish some of it to my Facebook page -- or maybe here -- I don't know. I'm really just making this up as I go along. It's what I do best, after all.