Opinions on flashbacks in writing? And how often is too often?
The story I’m creating is set in a certain time, but I’m thinking in order for readers to figure out backstory and stuff I’ll be having quite a few flashbacks in the form of memories or something (mainly because I’ve created a lot of stuff that was set before the current timeline, and I need some way to incorporate it into the current story). But I also don’t want to overdo it.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
I have never done anything like that, I have not really written much. but, from a readers' perspective, I would suggest only doing them as often as seems likely.
your character has a moment of time where not much is happening? they might reflect on their past– Ta-da, flashback. something reminds them of something that happened? well now they're thinking about it– boom, another flashback. or they could be telling another, newer character a story and that way you get to incorporate the history you've made. DREAMS.
not sure if any of this is decent advice, but as a reader of many many many books, I candy that lots of authors use these for flashbacks. have a nice day!
Deleted user
ok here's an excerpt from my story Tuneless! might change the name, idk. which reminds me–
vote for the name of this story! help me pick, I cant choose.
Tuneless– because it is a world where creativity is outlawed, so no creative music is made.
Anarchy– because that's the name of a group dedicated to taking down the government, who is forbidding all art. And it's more dramatic.
just let me know what you guys think! I like both these names but I cant pick on my own.
anyway here's the little story piece:
imma count the votes here
Tuneless: I
Anarchy:
I think tuneless is better because it sounds more original and fits the story more specifically
ok here's an excerpt from my story Tuneless! might change the name, idk. which reminds me–
vote for the name of this story! help me pick, I cant choose.
Tuneless– because it is a world where creativity is outlawed, so no creative music is made.
Anarchy– because that's the name of a group dedicated to taking down the government, who is forbidding all art. And it's more dramatic.
just let me know what you guys think! I like both these names but I cant pick on my own.
anyway here's the little story piece:
imma count the votes here
Tuneless: I
Anarchy:
that's so good! I'd love to read more sometime, I really liked your descriptions, they were quite immersive. I think Tuneless is a great title! If it's a series, maybe you could include Anarchy in like the book title and use Tuneless as a series title? just a thought, go with whatever you want but great job!
Um I’ve been writing more here. Ik I posted it before, but I’ve added more since then and that was a while ago.
Deleted user
Opinions on flashbacks in writing? And how often is too often?
The story I’m creating is set in a certain time, but I’m thinking in order for readers to figure out backstory and stuff I’ll be having quite a few flashbacks in the form of memories or something (mainly because I’ve created a lot of stuff that was set before the current timeline, and I need some way to incorporate it into the current story). But I also don’t want to overdo it.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Depends on how it's handled.
I don't like entire chapters dedicated to a flashback especially in the middle of the plot. I don't like flashbacks in the form of dreams (because that's not how dreams work???)
I don't mind first chapters that take place before the others. I actually think these work pretty well so long as they aren't very long.
I also don't mind recollections or memories posed in the first person (if you need an example, I think the Hunger Games does it particularly well).
Most of the time flashbacks are a big no for me. Either leave past events up to interpretations or disclose it via diary entry, letter, dialogue, etc.. but sometimes, if it's done well and it flows with the story, I personally don't mind.
as for how often the flashbacks are, I do not like frequent flashbacks generally. I think at that point just start in the past and work into the present instead of putting a lot of flashbacks.
I suggest incorporating the past naturally into the story- if it's through dialogue, make it fit naturally into interaction. if it's through the first person, let it flow with the narration.
Opinions on flashbacks in writing? And how often is too often?
The story I’m creating is set in a certain time, but I’m thinking in order for readers to figure out backstory and stuff I’ll be having quite a few flashbacks in the form of memories or something (mainly because I’ve created a lot of stuff that was set before the current timeline, and I need some way to incorporate it into the current story). But I also don’t want to overdo it.
Thoughts? Suggestions?
Depends on how it's handled.
I don't like entire chapters dedicated to a flashback especially in the middle of the plot. I don't like flashbacks in the form of dreams (because that's not how dreams work???)
I don't mind first chapters that take place before the others. I actually think these work pretty well so long as they aren't very long.
I also don't mind recollections or memories posed in the first person (if you need an example, I think the Hunger Games does it particularly well).
Most of the time flashbacks are a big no for me. Either leave past events up to interpretations or disclose it via diary entry, letter, dialogue, etc.. but sometimes, if it's done well and it flows with the story, I personally don't mind.
as for how often the flashbacks are, I do not like frequent flashbacks generally. I think at that point just start in the past and work into the present instead of putting a lot of flashbacks.
I suggest incorporating the past naturally into the story- if it's through dialogue, make it fit naturally into interaction. if it's through the first person, let it flow with the narration.
Thanks for the suggestions :)
Personally, I don't care for flashbacks in dreams either. Usually dreams are so warped from reality it just doesn't work very well.
I might do memories, such as recollections. Or people bringing it up in dialogue. Just have to see how it happens when I get there, I suppose.
Deleted user
How do y'all avoid sounding pretentious in your prose?
Please judge my very sudden dump of a deity page
Open to ideas :) they’re essentially the Elders from the game Sky: Children of the Light, but with lore changes.
Uuh, tips on writing characters in pain without it getting redundant?
Guy I'm writing breaks a (or potentially multiple) bone(s), and he's in pain for a good long while. Looking over my draft, and, like, half of it is just him going "ow."
Uuh, tips on writing characters in pain without it getting redundant?
Guy I'm writing breaks a (or potentially multiple) bone(s), and he's in pain for a good long while. Looking over my draft, and, like, half of it is just him going "ow."
I’d say maybe show that he’s in pain from his actions. Say, he has a broken rib and just breathing hurts. Sure, he could say ow, but he could also have labored breathing, slower movement, clutching his side, etc.
Verbal indications of pain aside from “ow” could be wincing, screaming, crying, talking to themselves(?). . .
Oooh that definitely helps some
The brain hasn't been braining for a bit, and I think that fixed it a bit
Looking over an excerpt, might drop it here later
Walls of night-black stone towered into the sky, framing the swirling swath of stars above. Fading rasps of warmth huddled close as they drowned in the howls of a rolling storm. In the moonless dark, the chasm's wind-chiseled confines stood lifeless, still, and near silent.
From within the depths, faint clouds of breath billowed upwards like woodsmoke. A crumpled body lay upon the cold cobbles. A clouded eye fluttered open, and the chasm's walls blurred into view.
Heavy with hoarfrost, his conscious was slow to thaw. His mind was fogged, and as his own thoughts eluded him, he could do nothing but stare into shadows. His heartbeat thudded slowly in his head, echoing in his ears like thunder over a far horizon. The biting cold of the Everchill had fanged his fingers blue long ago, but the chilling numbness only now settled into his skin.
As feeling returned to his body, so did a new, droning pain that plagued his chest and below. A dirge of wind wailed in his face, and a blast of algid air seized his lungs with burning frost. He gasped and spluttered.
With every spasmodic swell of his chest, piercing agony tore down his spine. His hands blindly scrabbled for purchase as he choked on his own breath.
Working on it still, brain stopped braining again, but that's more because of coursework than being ideaed out
Aw, thanks! ^^
Hoping to get some more down tomorrow and over the weekend since writing is my therapy (when I'm not frantically researching how much blood is in a full-grown moose and then looking for the average population density of Greenland)
Um I’ve been writing more here. Ik I posted it before, but I’ve added more since then and that was a while ago.
K if really like for any bored individuals to read this tell me what you think! I added a part I've been hesitating to, but the characters picked a different path and they fell asleep instead of going and stargazing. Pls check it out!
Deleted user
Um I’ve been writing more here. Ik I posted it before, but I’ve added more since then and that was a while ago.
K if really like for any bored individuals to read this tell me what you think! I added a part I've been hesitating to, but the characters picked a different path and they fell asleep instead of going and stargazing. Pls check it out!
This made me very happy 😊 I don't know the context but I like it
