Ask Jerry
Story arc.
Asked by Tim Eichenbrenner on October 10, 2020
Jerry,
My first chapter, in which I place my protagonist in terrible trouble, starts in present time.
I then go back 2 years and build the story back to present time. This start seems to be more engaging than had I done it another way. Is everything before present time then considered back story and, if so, would this be frowned upon?
Thanks,
Tim
Jerry's Answer
No, Tim, backstory is not frowned upon the way flashbacks (and the cliches inherent in them) are. Just do a time and location tag at the start of that second chapter, and it should work.