Thursday 21 February 2013

Flashbacks...

I'm at the stage in the novella where I need to use a flashback.

I've always been ambivalent about flashbacks. Done well they can help a story; done badly, they will ruin it.

As I'm only on the first draft, it doesn't matter if I don't get it right the first time- that's what further drafts and editing are for... :-)

I'm sure I'm not the only writer who has weak spots, so yes, flashbacks are one of mine.

Now fortunately I know a writer, A J Humpage, who is good at explaining how to use flashbacks effectively, so I looked up her blog 'All Write - Fiction Advice' for the post on the subject. Read it here.

Found some useful pointers in avoiding getting flashbacks wrong, here, at Fiction Notes.

So next week I will be attempting the short flashback scene that leads to secrets being revealed...

Any advice on successful flashbacks?

Or any thoughts on the subject?

Then please leave a comment. I enjoy reading, and responding to them. :-) 



3 comments:

Patsy said...

Don't know why but I tend to use flashbacks more in short stories than longer ones.

Rosemary Gemmell said...

My very first published short story (also prize-winning) contained flashbacks, although I don't use them much now. We're usually told to avoid them but I found it worked when weaving in snatches of the past within the story, as the past very much influence the present story. Difficult to explain without examples!

Carolb said...

I know exactly what you mean, Rosemary. I have a similar situation in the current novella.

Patsy, I've noticed flashbacks can work quite well in short stories.