I think you mentioned having characters with secrets. I'm working on a new story, but I'm having trouble coming up with a back story. Do you think you can make a chapter on back stories maybe? -- Temperware

This is really where getting to know your character comes in. Back story adds depth to characters. No one wants an info dump, but they also love to know more about the characters they love. But that's the key. Love.

Or hate even.

You need to know everything about your main character.

Their favorite food.

Drink.

Dessert.

These may seem pointless, but you have to know what makes them like these things.

Maybe a soldier's favorite drink is water because he had to go without it.

Let's say your character is thirty. What happened during their childhood, teenage years, twenties?

Now you won't put every piece of information about them into your story. But bits and pieces will naturally find their way into your story depending on how well you know your character.

Give bits and pieces of information in the beginning of your story as lures. Almost like a trail of bread crumbs leading up to the moment where you reveal something big about their past. And because you left small pieces though out the story, you don't need to have an info dump later on.

What is their greatest fear? Why?

What do they love more than anything? And why is that?

How is their relationship with their parents? Siblings?

You need to have a sit down with your characters and start asking the deep questions.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this helped you!