Thread: Too much backstory?

I have been exploring in-depth some of my characters' profiles in the novel I am working on. I have discovered that the back stories I have created are very interesting and could be a completely separate novel of its own.

The problem I am having is that these back stories are paramount to carry the plot of the novel. Some of the characters in the novel have done things in the past that influence the current events of my story. I would rather "show" than "tell" the readers these back stories I have contrived, but am afraid that most of the dialogue will become expository.

I would also like to tell the story in first person, and allow the events to unfold without seeming too expository. In other words, I don't want to end up like Dan Brown and having my book sound like an encyclopedia.

Any tips?

I frequently have this problem. My solution is to expose those things through dialogue.
Here's an example from my current novel about the founding of the California missions.

“I am pleased that nobody asked us to explain why the Jesuits had to leave.”
Brother José looked at his companion and sighed. “I too. For my part, I do not fully understand the reason even though it was explained to us before we departed.”
“Why would the King of France seek to have the order disbanded? They have always been devout in their efforts.” Brother Pedro hesitated. “Do you think it was their participation in The Inquisition?”
Brother José could not answer that. They had both heard the rumors, some of them about trade disputes. Others had whispered of great riches gathered by the Society of Jesus and not shared with civil government. “In any case, the reason is not important. We have our duties to perform and we must reassure the disciples that our Brothers in The Lord taught them with faith and belief in The Word.”

This frequently happens and there are few ways to do it beside dialogue.

One of my favorite novels, The Man with the Golden Arm, by Nelson Algren, has loads of backstory -- and a good deal of it wasn't especially pertinent -- about characters and events that didn't really seem to move the plot forward. It was just well written and very entertaining.

One of the more interesting devices Algren used, other than just straight narrative, was "reprinting" a newspaper article that was tacked up on the wall of a bar the characters frequented.

But the thing is, before I started writing, I never thought about "backstory." I just considered it all "story." Make it interesting, and people won't care.

*agrees with Joe*

Rule #1: Don't bore the reader.
Rule #2: See rule #1.

whats wrong with a spin off novel? they do it on tv.

I wrote backstory for one two of my characters, but was then able to directly use it later in the story. I have written backstory for the world, but can't see that being used, just reference material for a consistant read.