Background Quote by Evan Marshall
““Another mistake is presenting too much background information, and doing so in the first few pages. Writers should begin their stories with the event that kicks off the story, and then spoon-feed us background information only when it's needed to understand what's going on." [ A Conversation with Evan Marshall ( Writers Write , September 1999)]””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Writers Write, September 1999
Begin stories with the inciting event, revealing background only when necessary to maintain momentum.
In simple terms: Start with action, add backstory later.
Key Takeaway
Hook readers early, reveal details as needed.
Themes
writing
storytelling
structure
Mood
instructive
practical
Type
educational
professional
When to use this quote
- novel drafting
- screenwriting
- blog posts
- marketing copy
Key Concepts
narrative pacing
information reveal
Questions to Reflect On
- When should background be introduced?
- How does early action affect engagement?
A Different Perspective
Too much early exposition can lose reader interest.
![“I think one of the biggest mistakes you can make as a writer is to follow your initial [writing] plan too stringently. A story needs room to grow and evolve.” quote by Patrick Rothfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/88a/patrick-rothfuss-145_biggest-mistake_i-think-one-of-the-biggest-mistakes-you_2818358.jpg)
