"Backstory is like seasoning—a little goes a long way, but too much ruins the dish. The 90/10 rule suggests readers only need to glimpse 10% of your character's history. The key is revealing past details when they become emotionally or narratively necessary, not when you think they're interesting."
Great foreshadowing feels inevitable in hindsight but surprising in the moment. Like noticing Uncle Greg's affair before everyone else—the clues were always there. From explicit prophecies to subtle behavioral tells, mastering this craft means trusting your readers' intelligence while keeping them guessing. The best stories make you say "I knew it!"
Understanding the difference between plot and story isn't just technical—it's transformative. While plot provides the structure of events, story breathes life into those moments, creating emotional resonance. Master both, and you'll craft narratives that don't just tell what happened, but why it matters deeply to your readers.
Kenneth W. Myers 