backstory
Origin narrative details
A backstory is the history behind a character, situation, or narrative—events that occurred before the main story begins.
In fiction, backstory explains motivations and relationships: The villain's backstory reveals childhood trauma.
The term extends beyond fiction to any context where understanding the past illuminates the present: What's the backstory on this merger?
Storyline or land parcel
- subplotSubordinate narrative strand
- arcCurved line segment
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
prologue · foreshadowing · conflict · resolution · denouement · climax · narrator · perspective
Operate a vehicle
- purposeReason something exists
- reasonBasis or justification
- incentiveReward encouraging action
- traumaLasting psychological wound
desire · goal · wound · ambition · quest · catalyst · trigger · impetus
Point of creation
- beginningInitial stage of something
- inceptionFounding moment
- birthComing into the world
- rootsUnderground nutrient absorbers
ancestry · creation · source · seed · emergence · dawn · commencement · progenitor
Introductory literary section
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- setupHow something is arranged
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
- preamblePreliminary statement before content
Context of events
- circumstancesConditions affecting an event
- situationState of affairs
- conditionsPrevailing state of affairs
- environmentExternal conditions affecting life
framework · scenario · landscape · universe · milieu · era · timeline · events
plot
Storyline or land parcel
- subplotSubordinate narrative strand
- arcCurved line segment
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
flashback · prologue · foreshadowing · conflict · resolution · denouement · climax · narrator · perspective · pacing
drive
Operate a vehicle
trauma · desire · goal · wound · ambition · quest · catalyst · trigger · impetus · explanation
genesis
Point of creation
roots · ancestry · creation · source · seed · emergence · dawn · commencement · progenitor · antecedent
prologue
Introductory literary section
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
- setupHow something is arranged
- introductionPreliminary section or presentation
setting
Context of events
- circumstancesConditions affecting an event
- situationState of affairs
- conditionsPrevailing state of affairs
environment · framework · scenario · landscape · universe · milieu · era · timeline · events · past
- dramaTV drama, acting, television drama, drama school, playwright
- mystery fictionwhodunit, whodunnit, sleuth, murder mystery, detective novel
- Flashback Tropesflashback, flashbacks, amnesia, memory loss, montage
- Storytelling Devicesflashback, foreshadowing, cliffhanger, plot twist, narrator
- storytelling techniquesflashback, voiceover, subplot, flash forward, twist
- dramaturgydramaturgy, dramaturg, dramatic structure, dramatic technique, dramatic form
backstorymain plot
Primary sequence of events
foreground · current events · front and center · main thread
backstoryepilogue
Concluding literary section
flash-forward · sequel · aftermath · denouement · what happens next
backstorymystery
Something unexplained or unknown
unknown · untold story · blank slate · enigma