Fanfiction Cliches (and Where to Find Them)

Cliche #6 - Unnecessary Backstory

Cliche: Characters dumping a long, tragic backstory on the reader for NO APPARENT REASON.

Example:
"It all started when I was two years old. My abusive father died suddenly and left my mother and I alone with no means of support. My mother eventually committed suicide when I was nine, and I've been living on the streets ever since."

"Um... Kyle, I only asked if you wanted to get KFC for lunch."

Why it's a cliche:
While getting to know more about a character is great, having them dump a full three paragraphs of backstory on readers is a bit too much familiarity. Also, it's hella irritating if the backstory is used to gain pity from other characters or used as an explanation as to why they never eat tomatoes or something.

In My Own Words:
Holy doley, I'm so guilty at using tragic backstories when they aren't needed. It pops up a lot in my fanfictions. Here are some examples.

* * * *

"If I tell you," I said solemnly, "do you swear not to tell anyone?"

"I swear," John said. He said several swear words to illustrate his point.

"All right." I took a deep breath. "John, I come from a broken home."

John blinked in astonishment. "You do?"

I nodded.

I feel Michelle's backstory from She's a Woman could be considered a bit unnecessary for two reasons: 1) the reader was along for the ride while he backstory was still forming, and 2) Michelle goes to extreme lengths to describe every detail about her absent father and deranged mother.

* * * *

DOUBLE WHAMMY: A BIT MORE OF YOU

"Well, I shouldn't really be telling you this," Adam said, "but I'll do it anyway. Has Serenity told you that my parents split up a while ago?"

I shook my head.

"My dad walked out and tried to drag Sylvia and Clare away with him. They were absolutely terrified and crying. I was very near tears myself. Mum fought to get them, and then there was a huge barney. Mum had to go to hospital after that. She's okay now and looks after us, but I don't think we'll be seeing Dad again."

"Oh, Adam," I said, tears welling up in my eyes. "That's so horrible. I didn't know about your family."

"Yeah, well, you wouldn't," Adam said, wiping his nose on his sleeve. "That's why I need to keep being friends with Serenity. She makes me feel safe and happy. I don't know what I'd do without her. She's my everything, Georgia."

Fuck off, Adam. We all know you're just trying to buy time until Georgia inevitably punches your head in. Backstories aren't gonna help you here.

"I don't know if you'll be capable of staying up as long as I'm thinking," I told Serenity. "How late do you normally stay up?"

Serenity thought silently for a moment. "I think the latest I've stayed up is ten o'clock, maybe ten-thirty."

"That's almost nothing!" I exclaimed. "My mum works nights and doesn't often get back until well after midnight! I have to stay awake all that time because..."

My voice suddenly trailed away. I wasn't going to let Serenity think her brave big sister was afraid of something stupid like going to sleep.

Serenity's beautiful blue eyes widened. "Your mum leaves you alone? At night?"

I nodded slowly. ''Yeah... it's okay though. I have the telly to watch, records to play, books to read... but..."

Georgia, what does your mum leaving you alone at night have to do with the fact that your father... well, spoilers, so I'll stop talking here.

But still, backstories like that are pretty unnecessary. If you're using it to explain an aspect of a person's behaviour or as a way to gain pity points, avoid it altogether. Only use a tragic backstory when it's relevant to the plot!