Disney announced they are releasing, Mufasa: The Lion King at the end of 2024. December 20th, to be specific. More than thirty years since the first release in this beloved series we are getting the backstory on Mufasa. How did he become one of the greatest leaders of the Pride Lands? Why was Scar so angry and cynical?
I love backstories. They help me understand what to do with the ups and downs of life. The hero’s journey inspires me to keep trying after failure. And I gain insight and empathy for why people have opted for the dark side – grabbing for power or turning away from love.
Since I mostly write personal narrative, backstories remind me to not just tell what I’ve found but show when I’ve been lost.
I think of the time when my daughter was about three-years-old and asked me, “Mama, have you made any mistakes?” And I told her about the time right after I got my driver’s license, when I went too fast around a corner, and rolled the car end over end five times.
When I relayed to my mom that I told that story to my daughter, she laughingly responded with, “THAT was the mistake you went with?” Clearly she thought I should go with something smaller when choosing from my plethora of mistakes.
But I was fascinated about my dad’s stories about trial and tribulation he felt when he went to study in India for two years in his 20’s. The way he talked about loneliness and isolation was genuine. When he described the sadness he felt when his buddy in the program tried to commit suicide it was believable. Who wants a preacher that has never been tested in life? Or a parent for that matter?
My friend, Phil, who climbed and guided mountains for more than 45 years, likes to joke, “Bivouac is French for mistake.” While his translation is a joke, the lesson isn’t, and he didn’t discover it in good weather. He learned it when he was climbing high up on Mt. Everest. He was pummeled by a storm and had to hunker down to survive the night. It’s reassuring to climb with a guide who knows not to make that mistake again!
In a culture where we tend to post our best moments to social media, and sometimes forget how to be vulnerable and authentic enough to talk about our worst, it seems like it falls to writers to remember to include a believable backstory. After all, that’s often how the best kings are made, right?
I’ve published a related story that gives some of my backstory on my personal blog: Writing Last Lines That Count
[By the way, Rebecca from the Fake Flamenco blog has a great post on Heroines/Heroes: 5 Ways Heroines Differ From Heroes.]
My other projects include hosting a podcast that features inspirational creatives and being part of a team that teaches/speaks about corporate creativity. My book about my journey to find what fueled my dad’s indelible spark and twinkle can be found on Amazon: Finding My Father’s Faith.
(featured photo from Pexels)
You can find me on Instagram and Twitter @wynneleon
Thoughtful post, Wynne. I appreciated it.
Thank you! I appreciate you reading and commenting!
I loved reading about your dad’s experiences in India, Wynne. So much goodness about his character came through. The best sort of “backstory”. 🥰
Right – where character is built! The best sort of backstory. Thank you, dear Vicki!
🥰❤️🥰
As life is made of good and bad moments, it makes sense to write about life as it is. Sometimes we are in competition and I think that’s the reason why we prefer publishing our good moments.
Ah, what a good insight about being in competition. Thanks Cristiana!
Wow! I found your words very powerful and useful. Thank you and continued success!
Thank you for the lovely comment!
«In a culture where we tend to post our best moments to social media, and sometimes forget how to be vulnerable and authentic enough to talk about our worst, it seems like it falls to writers to remember to include a believable backstory. After all, that’s often how the best kings are made, right?» I do so agree with you, Wynne. I really like to read when writers paint the background of their stories with personal background!
I couldn’t agree more about the color of personal background! Thanks for the great comment, Parisa!
Great story, great points, and great news about Mufasa!
PS- holy 💩 Wynne! How fast were you going?!
Thanks, Todd! I think I was going 55 on a country road that recommend 40 for the turn. It was dark, I didn’t know the road or the turn, and went straight into a farmers field…thank goodness the angels were working that night. 🙂
Wow! Flipping five times must’ve been terrifying! Did you stay conscious through all of it?
I think so. I had a passenger and neither of us were wearing seat belts (the story gets better and better, huh?). We ended up upside down in the back of the station wagon part of the car. I’ve got to say – the little Honda held up awfully well.
🤯🤯🤯 I’m glad you’re still here to tell the tale!