back-story
Origin narrative details
A back-story is the history behind a character, situation, or narrative—events that occurred before the main story begins.
In fiction, back-story explains motivations and relationships: The villain's back-story revealed childhood trauma.
The term extends beyond fiction to any contextual history: What's the back-story on this project?
Also spelled backstory.
Narrative's causal chain
- prologueIntroductory literary section
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- arcCurved line segment
- subplotSubordinate narrative strand
storyline · tale · chronicle · saga · narration · storytelling · vignette · episode
Rotating motion or surprise
- secretConcealed information
- discoveryAct of finding something
- mysterySomething unexplained or unknown
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
flashback · confession · unveiling · disclosure · foreshadowing · hint · clue · explanation
Impetus toward a goal
- biographyWritten life account
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- secretConcealed information
revelation · past · memory · childhood · upbringing · formative · identity · persona
Context of events
- circumstancesConditions affecting an event
- milieuSocial or cultural surroundings
- environmentExternal conditions affecting life
- situationState of affairs
framework · conditions · scene · landscape · atmosphere · ambiance · world-building · lore
Point of creation
- beginningInitial stage of something
- inceptionFounding moment
- historyRecord of past events
- antecedentSomething that precedes
precursor · prelude · preamble · setup · lead-up · introduction · overture · foundation
plotline
Narrative's causal chain
- prologueIntroductory literary section
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- arcCurved line segment
subplot · storyline · tale · chronicle · saga · narration · storytelling · vignette · episode · scenario
twist
Rotating motion or surprise
exposition · flashback · confession · unveiling · disclosure · foreshadowing · hint · clue · explanation · unraveling
motivation
Impetus toward a goal
- biographyWritten life account
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
secret · revelation · past · memory · childhood · upbringing · formative · identity · persona · development
setting
Context of events
- circumstancesConditions affecting an event
- milieuSocial or cultural surroundings
- environmentExternal conditions affecting life
situation · framework · conditions · scene · landscape · atmosphere · ambiance · world-building · lore · universe
genesis
Point of creation
antecedent · precursor · prelude · preamble · setup · lead-up · introduction · overture · foundation · roots