Backstory plays an important role in a story. It helps to understand the character: why they do what they do, how they think and how their past colors their present. It often lets us know a secret that can make a difference in the story.
Pumping Your Muse writing prompt
Write a scene SHOWING your character involved in everyday routine. Within the scene reveal at least one habit, quirk, and a thought of the past that shows inner conflict. Tie their present actions with what they're doing.
Example: Your character starts the morning coffee brewing (habit), and puts a mug of water in the microwave to heat because they only drink coffee poured into a warmed mug (quirk). They go into the bathroom to brush their teeth and look into the mirror stirring memories. She thinks she looks much like her mother who spit coffee into her face as a child when it wasn't warm enough. Now she is preparing to take her elderly mother in and become her caregiver (conflict). This is just a sketch and leaves room for a much larger story, but it gives you an idea of how to use this prompt.
Hope you enjoy this prompt. Have fun with the creative process and keep on writing! Let me know if you have questions. Write whether you feel like it or not and you'll be pleasantly surprised. A little every day makes a big difference.
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