38 Comments
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Karen Choi's avatar

This was the backstory slap in the face I needed. Thank you!

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Wes Kao's avatar

Glad this is resonating with you Karen

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Vanessa Fernandez's avatar

I love this - and I find that when I want to go heavy into my back story - typically it's because I doubt my main point is strong enough to stand on its own. If I trust my idea and am primarily focused on providing value to my reader (rather than soothing my ego or making myself appear better/smarter) - this is much easier to do.

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Wes Kao's avatar

It’s a valuable gut check because if you think your main point might not be strong enough, it either (A) is strong enough so you should remind yourself of that and double down on your main point, or (B) it’s not strong enough and you can regroup to figure out what you’re really wanting to say. It’s a win either way. Great insight Vanessa, thanks for sharing.

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Tim Whitley's avatar

This is great advice and I love all the specific examples. It's funny as a listener I don't want a lot of backstory but, when I'm speaking, I feel like I need to provide a lot of backstory. Trying to get that paradox in sync.

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Wes Kao's avatar

When we're in the moment, it's easy to get carried away because we have a captive audience--at least in the beginning of our story. And let's be honest, it's fun to hear ourselves talk. Our default is to see the world through our own lens, so I need to actively ask myself: "What will the OTHER person find interesting and useful?"

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Tim Whitley's avatar

Yes! So helpful to think about things from another person's perspective in so many areas.

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Kevin Alexander's avatar

In a post that went out this morning, I initially had a ton of backstory. I thought it would give context. It didn’t. I hacked 2 paragraphs into 3 sentences, and it was exactly what the story needed.

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Wes Kao's avatar

Nice, Kevin! So satisfying

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Celeste Tsang's avatar

You have managed to share tips to write a great fiction introduction and a story in general, Wes! Thank you!

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Wes Kao's avatar

Thanks for being here Celeste!

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Amy Cowen's avatar

Really enjoyed this! The diagram is an great visual, too.

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Wes Kao's avatar

Appreciate you Amy 🙏

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Caleb Mellas's avatar

Wow, I was reading along kinda nodding and then you stopped me in my tracks. Start the story right before getting eaten the bear?!

I was hooked for the rest of the article.

All the examples really helped to show how painful it is for listeners when too much backstory is shared. I’ve been in so many of those meetings and listened to so many YouTube videos like that - 27 mins long to change a light bulb, or similar 😂

Thanks Wes! Super applicable for my writing and communication. Gonna be thinking about this for a while.

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Wes Kao's avatar

It’s an ongoing practice to start right before you get eaten by the bear. I think about this when crafting the narrative for presentations, before hopping on intro calls, and pretty much all the time. Glad it’s resonating with you Caleb!

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Raviraj Achar's avatar

I shouldn't have delayed reading this article. As a newsletter writer, I need these tips!

Love it.

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Wes Kao's avatar

Thank you Raviraj, this means a lot 🙏

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Joseph Waruiru's avatar

Dang! As a recruiter, I see this everyday with myself, my clients and candidates. I will be more conscious of the backstory creep and politely steer conversations to the main points.

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Wes Kao's avatar

Backstory scope creep definitely happens in the hiring process and all stakeholders contribute to it. I love that you’re mindful of it now and will try to help folks out--I’m sure candidates, employers, and fellow recruiters will be thankful for this Joseph.

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Antonio Posada's avatar

Guilty as charged. I have gotten. Good to keep your advice at hand. Thanks!

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ColoradoWealthManagementFund's avatar

Found this from your latest post on notes. That graphic to start the article is outstanding.

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Matt Jones's avatar

That was really great. Thanks!

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Wes Kao's avatar

Appreciate you Matt!

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Jason Yoong's avatar

"Start your story right before you get eaten by the bear" - I am going to start using this line. Great advice.

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Philoinvestor's avatar

Great post!

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Wes Kao's avatar

Thank you Philo 🙏

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Philoinvestor's avatar

I will start to apply those teachings more. I think I made an attempt in my last piece from today. Went BAM BAM BAM!

https://philoinvestor.substack.com/p/the-bond-market-is-cracking

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Gaurav Bhandari's avatar

They key is to have the patience and willingness to edit the hell out of your story, no? Write drunk, edit sober 🙂

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