General Phade
I prefer not to know that much about my characters. Not at first, anyway. I may plan out a few basic details, but in terms of their entire lives, I'd rather be kept in the dark. It leaves a bit of mystery for me--it's something I want to find out, but then I have to write it in order to do so.
Shameless self-motivation!
When the story is finished, I'll know everything there is to know about the character. Then I'm left with a greater sense of accomplishment.
So, when I first create a character, I don't bother with a backstory. I'd rather let the character play him or herself out and see where I'm taken. Who they are, how they act, what they do, they all shape the backstory rather than the backstory shaping the character.
The reader, of course, would see it the other way, as the backstory being the reason for shaping the character.
Shameless self-motivation!
When the story is finished, I'll know everything there is to know about the character. Then I'm left with a greater sense of accomplishment.
So, when I first create a character, I don't bother with a backstory. I'd rather let the character play him or herself out and see where I'm taken. Who they are, how they act, what they do, they all shape the backstory rather than the backstory shaping the character.
The reader, of course, would see it the other way, as the backstory being the reason for shaping the character.
I do the same Phade. I just map out where they live, what they like doing and who they are. I find now, if I plan everything then I get bored. It is very interesting finding out the backstory of my characters.
