I love a fabulously well-timed quote.
Inspiration arriving in my in-box as I’m editing and working my way to the finish line with my novel. Have you heard this one?
“The backstory isn’t a detour – it’s the past pressing in.”
-Joyvity
Joyvity is a site offering writing tips, one I’d never heard of but the timing of the advice? A little eerie, I must admit.
In my WIP (work-in-progress) there’s a substantial detour, a rewind into a family’s shocking history (inspired by “Surviving Sue”) complete with secrets…ancestral tidbits tucked away under the guise of protection. “You’re better off not knowing, kids…”
We all know how deception plays out in real life. In my magical realism/speculative fiction tale, the truth wriggles its way into the light and in the process, damage is done. Whoa boy. Especially to relationships.
Telling a story which spans generations is challenging and I’ve labored over the backstory. How and when to layer glimpses without giving away the store.
“The past pressing in…”
I like it. And it fits. Judicious reveals peppered here and there. Allowing the past to find its way in, adding depth, while still withholding the biggest reveal. So much harder than it sounds.
Thank you to those of you who’ve asked about the timeline to completion…and for continuing to ride along with me, even though I’ve been less active here on WordPress as a result. The target date is still Mar/April of 2026 and I promise to keep you posted.
Last but not least, in the spirit of taking detours, I’ve got one for you. A sweet reader asked recently “Where are the deer pics?” and I laughed. It’s been a minute, I know, since I posted wildlife photos and I’ve been holding out on you. In the past couple of weeks, we’ve seen a flurry of activity with deer frequenting our backyard, enjoying the last of the apple tree’s bounty. And we’ve got at least two bucks roaming around, looking for love:
From me…and the dear deer…take care!
Vicki 💝
Lagniappe? A little more? Click here for some of my favorite posts about writing. Enjoy!
Hi – I’m Victoria, Vicki, Dr. Vicki. I hold a doctorate in Adult Education and I’m a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), and author of Surviving Sue | Eckhartz Press.
Check out this link to learn more about my book “Surviving Sue”.
Click here for Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcasts with talented creatives.
Click here for videos of our podcasts. Thank you!
Victoria Ponders 
Leave a reply to Treechange Life Cancel reply