Branding and Backstories

Welcome everyone, to this week’s episode of the Murder School podcast. Later, I’m going to talk about developing backstories for your characters, to add complexities to your novels; that’s in the writing craft section of the episode. First, I want to talk about your author brand. You might think that branding is something that only big companies pay attention to, but working on your own author brand, almost as soon as you start writing, can really help you to focus your style of writing, connect you with your readers, and help build your author business.

Crafting compelling stories is only half the battle. In today's crowded book market, it's not enough to simply write a great book – you also need to make sure that your target audience knows who you are and what you stand for. This is where building your author brand comes in. Your author brand is the unique identity that sets you apart from other writers in your genre, the promise you make to your readers about the kind of stories they can expect from you. And it’s not just a logo!

First and foremost, your author brand should be an authentic reflection of who you are as a writer and as a person. It's not about creating a false persona or trying to fit into a mold that doesn't feel true to you. Instead, it's about identifying the unique qualities, values, and perspectives that define your writing and using those elements to create a consistent, recognizable identity.

To start building your author brand, take some time to reflect on what makes your writing distinct. What themes and motifs do you find yourself drawn to again and again? What kind of characters do you love to create? What settings and atmospheres do you excel at evoking? By identifying the core elements that define your writing, you can start to create a brand that feels authentic and true to who you are.

So, let's say that your crime novels are known for their gritty, urban settings and their complex, morally ambiguous characters. Your author brand might emphasize your deep knowledge of city life, your fascination with the gray areas of human nature, and your commitment to exploring the darker sides of the human psyche. You might use language and imagery that evokes the neon-soaked streets and seedy underbelly of the city, and you might position yourself as a writer who isn't afraid to delve into the most challenging and uncomfortable aspects of crime and punishment.

Once you've identified the core elements of your author brand, it's important to communicate that brand consistently across all of your marketing and promotional materials. This includes everything from your website and social media profiles to your book covers and author photos. Every element should work together to create a cohesive, recognizable identity that reflects who you are as a writer.

Another key aspect of building your author brand is engaging with your readers and building a community around your work. This means being active on social media, responding to fan mail and comments, and participating in events and conversations that are relevant to your genre and your brand.

By building relationships with your readers and showing them the human side of your brand, you create a sense of loyalty and connection that can translate into long-term success. Readers who feel like they know you and understand what you stand for are more likely to become passionate advocates for your work, recommending your books to friends and eagerly awaiting your next release.

Of course, building an author brand isn't just about marketing and promotion – it's also about the quality and consistency of your writing itself. To truly succeed as a crime fiction author, you need to deliver on the promise of your brand with every book you write. This means consistently creating stories that reflect the unique qualities and perspectives that define your brand, and always striving to improve and evolve as a writer.

One way to ensure that your writing always aligns with your brand is to develop a clear understanding of your target audience and what they're looking for in a crime novel. Who are your ideal readers? What kind of stories and characters do they love? What themes and ideas resonate with them most deeply? By keeping your target audience in mind as you write, you can create stories that feel authentic and relevant to your brand, and that will keep readers coming back for more.

Another important aspect of delivering on your brand promise is continually pushing yourself to grow and improve as a writer. This means studying your craft, experimenting with new techniques and styles, and always striving to create stories that are more powerful, more immersive, and more emotionally resonant than anything you've written before.

Ultimately, building a strong author brand is about more than just marketing and self-promotion – it's about creating a meaningful connection with your readers and establishing yourself as a vital voice in the world of crime fiction. By crafting an authentic, consistent brand identity and delivering on that brand promise with every book you write, you can build a loyal, passionate fanbase that will support you throughout your career.

So as you work to build your author brand, remember to stay true to yourself and your unique vision as a writer. Don't be afraid to take risks, to experiment with new ideas and styles, and to put your heart and soul into every story you create.

And who knows – with a strong, authentic brand and a growing body of powerful, unforgettable stories, you may just become the next big name in crime fiction. So go forth and build that brand, one riveting tale at a time. Your readers are waiting to discover the unique voice and vision that only you can bring to the page.

I hope all of that is helpful. Now, I’ll move on to this week’s writing craft segment.

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One of the most essential elements of crafting a compelling story is developing your characters' backstories. A well-placed backstory can add depth, motivation, and complexity to your characters, making them feel more authentic and relatable to your readers. However, finding the right balance and timing to reveal these details can be a challenge. Revealing too much too soon can overwhelm your readers, while holding back can leave them feeling disconnected from your characters. In this article, we'll explore some strategies for effectively integrating backstory into your crime novel.

First and foremost, it's important to understand that backstory should not be an information dump. Avoid lengthy passages that unload every detail about a character's past, as this can disrupt the flow of your story and bore your readers. Instead, think of backstory as a trail of breadcrumbs that you sprinkle throughout your narrative, leading your readers deeper into the mystery and motivations of your characters.

So, when is the right time to reveal backstory? The key is to do it when it's relevant to the current story and adds to the character's development. For example, if your protagonist is a detective investigating a murder that resonates with a tragic event from their past, you might drop hints about this connection as the case unfolds. This not only raises the stakes but also provides insight into what drives your detective's actions and emotions.

Here's an example:

As Detective Samson studied the crime scene photos, his jaw clenched tightly. The victim's face seemed to morph into another – younger, more innocent. Samson pushed away the memories that threatened to surface, knowing he had a job to do. This time, he was determined not to fail.

In this brief moment, we get a tantalizing hint that there's more to Samson's story without revealing all the details at once. As the investigation continues, you can gradually reveal more about his past trauma and how it shapes his actions in the present.

Another effective way to weave in backstory is through dialogue. Characters can naturally mention past events or relationships in conversation, allowing readers to learn about their history without disrupting the story's pace. Just be mindful to keep the dialogue relevant and avoid lengthy monologues that feel unnatural.

Consider this exchange:

"You're really taking on this case?" Detective Rodriguez asked, eyeing his partner skeptically.Samson shrugged. "It's just another job.""Is it? The last time we had a case like this, you nearly lost your badge."A mix of anger and pain flashed in Samson's eyes. "That was different. I won't let it happen again."

In just a few lines, we've hinted at a past case that went wrong and its lasting impact on Samson. Readers are now intrigued to learn more, and you can continue to reveal additional details as the story unfolds.

Supporting characters' backstories may not be as critical to the main plot, but they still add richness and depth to your story. For these characters, you can be more selective in what you reveal. A brief anecdote or character quirk can go a long way in making them feel authentic and memorable.

For example, if your detective has a witty partner who always has a clever remark ready, you might hint at their past like this:

"I used to be a stand-up comedian," Detective Lopez said with a grin. "But the only thing getting murdered was my act."

This small detail adds an interesting layer to Lopez's character and may even become relevant later in the story.

When it comes to the villain's backstory, it's crucial to understand their motivations and make them feel like a genuine threat. However, be cautious not to reveal too much too early. Keep your readers guessing, dropping hints and red herrings along the way. As the story reaches its climax, you can finally unveil the events that shaped your villain into the complex and twisted character they are.

Imagine your detective has been pursing a serial killer for months, always one step behind. In their final confrontation, the killer reveals a tragic past that set them on this dark path. While it doesn't justify their actions, it adds depth and perhaps even a hint of sympathy to an otherwise monstrous character.

Here's how that revelation might unfold:

"Why did you do it?" Detective Samson asked, his gun aimed at the killer.The killer's smile was a twisted, broken thing. "You want to know? It's because I was once like them – innocent, helpless, until someone took that away from me. Now, I'm simply returning the favor."

By saving the killer's backstory for the climax, you've kept your readers engaged, eager to understand the motives behind their horrific acts.

Balancing backstory in your crime novel is all about weaving those intriguing details throughout your narrative, revealing just enough to keep readers invested without overwhelming them with unnecessary information. Use backstory to add depth and motivation to your characters, ensuring it remains relevant to the current plot.

Just as importantly, enjoy the process of crafting your characters' pasts. Backstory is an opportunity to explore the psychological depths of your characters and create multi-faceted individuals that will captivate your readers. Embrace the challenge of creating complex, compelling characters whose backstories are as intriguing as the crimes they investigate.