Cranks, won't catch, backfires

What is your question?

Was working perfectly, starting up like a champ. Has new battery. Now (we did have some rain) it cranks, seems like it's going to catch, then doesn't. Sometimes there are backfires during cranking. Nothing has changed since it worked find and now when it doesn't. Haven't driven it for a couple days. Tried turning the key before cranking, to activate fuel pump. No joy. Was told I should hear something then, but I don't. Maybe it's too soft for me to hear? Or it isn't happening. Don't know. If it is a bad fuel pump, would there still be enough to make it sound like it's catching? Now I'm stranded, at home at least. It's four-cylinder but I don't know which of those choices. Does it matter?

What makes this problem better or worse?

don't know

How long has your 1993 Chevrolet Corsica had this problem?

just now, was starting perfectly