Definition of backstory

The word "backstory" has its roots in the early 20th century in the United States. It emerged from the world of comics and pulp fiction, where it referred to the pre-existing narrative or history of a character that wasn't explicitly revealed in the main story. This concept allowed writers to add depth and complexity to their characters without overcrowding the main narrative. The term "backstory" is a combination of "back" and "story," and it gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of character-driven fiction. Since then, "backstory" has become a common term in various creative fields, including film, literature, and even gaming. It now refers to any pre-existing narrative or context that informs a character's actions, motivations, or personality.