In 2018, when I was creating my website, the most difficult thing to write was the About page.
I wrote and rewrote it three times.
When I couldn’t make it any better, I put it aside, thinking that as I got better at writing, I would write it again.
I didn’t touch it for three years.
The same thing happened when I wrote the About Me post on Medium. It’s my pinned post and I wrote it about 18 months ago. I meant to update it but can’t bring myself to do it.
Why?
Because it is too hard.
We writers can write hundreds of stories but can’t tell our own story well.
Yet we need to be able to tell our backstory in a compelling fashion.
Nearly all successful entrepreneurs have a compelling backstory. The backstory helps entrepreneurs build their brand and generate loyalty among their customers.
As authors, we are building our brands too.
We, too, need a compelling backstory.
By that, I do not mean you need to invent a backstory or make up a false story.
What I mean is that we need to identify our authentic backstory and tell it in such a way that it resonates with our audience.
Recently, I learned how to identify and create my (true) backstory. I am sharing the whole process here so that you, too, can create your backstory.
It is done in 7 steps.
Step 1: The Obstacle
To begin, it’s important that our audience can relate to our story. We could be from different backgrounds, different countries; we might have different upbringings and different education, and different professions, but there is one critical thing that’s very relatable: overcoming an obstacle.
And everyone has to overcome obstacles in their lives.
So, base your story on what obstacle you have overcome.
My example: I wanted to win promotions in my current role, but there was one problem. My English was not very good. It was my second language, and the truth was I sucked at it.
Step 2: The Internal Struggles
Internal struggles are how we feel inside because of the obstacle faced in Step 1.
Internal pain is captured with words like fearful, insecure or anxious.
My example: During a performance review, my boss told me that the only thing standing between me and a senior management position was my written English. Even though he was polite about it, his remark left me shattered. Does that mean I will never be promoted?
Step 3: The External Struggles
External struggles can generally be seen or heard. An over-drafted bank account, a lost job, a poor living situation, etc.
My example: I was overlooked in many promotion opportunities. My superiors saw me as a workhorse rather than as a leader.
Step 4: The Change Event
The change event is the one critical decision that you made that leads you from your struggle to your newfound transformation.
My example: I couldn’t swallow that. What can I do? I asked myself. I decided to take a writing course. I thought it will help me become a fluent writer. But instead of joining a business writing course, I took up a Life Story Writing course.
Step 5: The Spark
The spark is that magic moment when you realize everything is about to change. When you go from feeling completely disconnected to reinvigorating.
My example: I learned that writing was nothing but storytelling. Even business writing. When I was writing a business case, I was telling a story. When I was writing a discussion paper, I was weaving several stories to make a case. Even when I was writing a resume, I was telling a story — my story. I became a storyteller.
Step 6: The Guide
The guide in the story is the person who lifts you up and helps you see your potential for what it really is.
My example: A few months later, my then boss gave me an important project — to create a monthly performance report for the department. A perfect opportunity to showcase my storytelling skills. I never looked back from there. I got promoted multiple times and eventually reported to the CEO of our organisation.
Step 7: The Result
The result is the continuation of the story to even bigger and greater success, leading up to your present situation.
My example: Years later, my storytelling skills helped me to launch my writing career. I went on to author four books. Today I am a full-time writer.
Stitching the steps together to tell the story
Now stitch together all the pieces. My backstory sounds like this:
I wanted to win promotions in my current role, but there was one problem. My English was not very good. It was my second language, and the truth was I sucked at it. During a performance review, my boss told me that the only thing standing between me and a senior management position was my written English. Even though he was polite about it, his remark left me shattered. Does that mean I will never be promoted?
I was overlooked in many promotion opportunities. My superiors saw me as a workhorse rather than as a leader. I couldn’t swallow that. What can I do? I asked myself. I decided to take a writing course. I thought it will help me become a fluent writer. But instead of joining a business writing course, I took up a Life Story Writing course.
I learned that writing was nothing but storytelling. Even business writing. When I was writing a business case, I was telling a story. When I was writing a discussion paper, I was weaving several stories to make a case. Even when I was writing a resume, I was telling a story — my story. I became a storyteller.
A few months later, my then-boss gave me an important project — to create a monthly performance report for the department. A perfect opportunity to showcase my storytelling skills. I never looked back from there. I got promoted multiple times and eventually reported to the CEO of our organisation.
Years later, my storytelling skills helped me to launch my writing career. I went on to author four books. Today I am a full-time writer.
Now I can use the various iterations of this backstory for different purposes. I can tell the full version where needed, and I can tell shortened versions or use snippets of the story when it makes sense.
Takeaways
- Telling a compelling backstory isn’t just for entrepreneurs; authors need it too.
- Everyone who has a backstory you admire has crafted it and perfected it.
- Being vulnerable with your audience allows them to see you in a very transparent and human light.
- Practicing your backstory using the seven steps gives you a consistent and compelling story that you can use for various purposes.
