My detailed character backstory outline just completely fell apart mid-story

I spent 3 weeks building this really detailed character profile for a noir detective story. Had his whole childhood mapped out, his motivation for taking cases, even his favorite diner spot. Then I got to chapter 4 and realized he would never actually take the next logical step in the plot. The whole arc just stopped making sense because I had locked him into a personality that was too rigid. I tried forcing him through the scene anyway and it read like garbage. Ended up deleting 15 pages and starting the character from scratch with way less planning. Now I just write a few basic traits and let them figure themselves out as I go. Has anyone else had a character rebel against their own backstory like this?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_charlie9d ago

Spent 3 weeks building this detailed character profile" - man I feel your pain, I've been there with a character who was supposed to be a tough guy but kept crying over sunsets. @rowanc29 your mercenary story has me rolling because that's exactly the kind of nonsense characters pull when you try to cage them in. Now I just give mine a vague outline and let them run the show like they're the ones paying the rent.

rowanc299d ago

Oh yeah, I had a fantasy character who was supposed to be a ruthless mercenary but kept wanting to adopt stray animals and help old ladies cross the street. Total mess.