Build unforgettable characters via Backstories

In this hands-on workshop, Francesco examines the importance of backstories to highlight narrative thematic resonance, analysing novels and films in depth to understand what can undermine an otherwise engaging story.

Beginning with a word of warning against backstories revealed like clues in a murder mystery, Francesco will dive deep into the importance of connecting characters' backstories to their thematic universe of choice, using examples spanning from Madame Bovary to Spiderman.

He will then analyse Pi Patel's poignant backstory in the novel 'Life of Pi', showing how the screen adaptation loses most of its emotional force by tweaking the theme ever so slightly.

It will follow a brief exposition of the 'Trauma Trope', and how to use it effectively (or not so much) showing examples from the tv show 'The Boys'.

Francesco will close with a display of what a writer can conjure with words, using 'Stories of your life' by Ted Chiang and its screen adaptation 'Arrival' to show the endless possibilities of writing craft.

4 thought provoking exercises are intertwined with the above sections, suitable for both authors looking to improve their work in progress and writers thinking about their first draft.