flashbacks
I am hoping today will be a manic writing day. I’m really hoping, because I need to get moving on BOL, especially since a new story kind of crept in while I wasn’t looking and made me write five pages. Plus scattered notes. That’s all I need is another yellow legal pad hanging around. If they ever fall, I’ll be buried.
I keep playing with the opening of my current WIP, thanks to a crit I got. But the more I play with it, the crazier I get (big surprise, yes?) So here’s my question for you (I know, you’re sick of my questions - I’ll stop soon.) Do you mind flashbacks? I’m talking ones that act like the flashback is happening in present time, using present tense, etc - an entire scene of backstory. Personally, I really like flashbacks, but I know a lot of readers find them annoying.
Oh, and I got this postcard in the mail this morning:
I’ll be back tomorrow. A nice, homecooked meal would work for me, but I’d settle for take-out. And an entire book about me. Oh, and tell Charlene I’m stopping by her house to unlock that trunk of hers. See ya. - Jake.
Shoot, I thought he’d be gone for longer. I guess classified missions don’t last as long as they used to. *heads off in search of take-out and her burst of creativity*
Steph T.
May 16th, 2005 at 9:23 am
I tell this to Amy all the time, but it’s all in the execution. Sure, there are those who would get all glass-eyed and pasty-faced over the mere mention of something so vulgar as a flashback, but if it works, then it works *g*
Sometimes it conveys very necessary information.
May 16th, 2005 at 9:26 am
May 16th, 2005 at 9:38 am
Oh good - so now I can panic about my execution…:eek:
May 16th, 2005 at 9:45 am
I agree with the “all in the execution” statement, but I’d tack on revelancy. I don’t mind a necessary flashback either. But I think flashbacks have gotten a bad rap because so many of them were the writer taking the lazy way to get information across to the reader and executing it poorly.
(I’m assuming you’re waaay too good a writer for that.)
Oh, about that postcard… you really fell for that “classified mission” line? Bet he shows up with a big smile on his face.
May 16th, 2005 at 10:11 am
Flashbacks don’t bother me if they are necessary. I’m sure yours will be necessary. Your writing is always flawless and perfect, and you never make bad decisions. (Practicing my Steph Tyler fangirl speak.)
May 16th, 2005 at 10:48 am
I agree about the relevancy, Carol. And I know I had a really good reason for the flashback, but I can’t remember that now…
And seriously - Jake is a really good liar when you’re face to face with him…
Larissa - Your fangirl speak isn’t bad, although I feel it could be a tad more complimentary. Why are you holding back? I may make you president if you promise not to bring any grasshopped legs to the meetings.
May 16th, 2005 at 11:42 am
The book I just turned in (YAH ME!!! sorry, I digress) had a flashback opening. I took it out, put it back it, took it out, put it back in … you get the picture. I sent it to my editor, finally, without it. Just felt like a lazy way to go. But I’ll probably put it back in and take it out a few more times in revisions …
May 16th, 2005 at 11:51 am
Yay to Jill on finishing:bravo:
May 16th, 2005 at 1:41 pm
May 16th, 2005 at 3:18 pm
tough call on the flashbacks. I have done like Jill with the put it in. No, take it out…weave it in. No, put it all back in. Etc, etc. Repeat process.
May 16th, 2005 at 4:34 pm
I’m trying, Sasha - but my instincts have a split personality!
*waves to Kacey* At least I know I’m not alone in this - that helps.:grin:
May 16th, 2005 at 5:02 pm
I prefer to avoid flashbacks, but sometimes there’s no other way to work in the information. If the story calls for it, do it!
And NO OPENING THAT TRUNK! How would I explain the Viking horde to my neighbors? Not to mention all the others. Chaos! Pandemonium! Violation of every neighborhood CC&R!
May 16th, 2005 at 5:28 pm
Steph–I’d go without it and then when you go back and revise, see if it fits. I have a scene like that (a prologue). Ultimately I decided to yank it out after doing the back and forth thing for a while. Jo Beverley did a wonderful flashback chapter in a novel once that really developed the characters for me and made me root for them. But then again, she’s Jo Beverley!
May 16th, 2005 at 8:18 pm
Flashbacks are like prologues. Some people say to NEVER use them, but sometimes they work beautifully. No rules. Just do what works.
May 16th, 2005 at 8:59 pm
I think you need to do what you think’s best. I know I’d been “trained” for no flash-backs then realized around page 100 that I NEEDED flashbacks!!!!!!!! NEEDED THEM!!!!!! There was no better/stronger way to get the information across. So go with your gut.
May 16th, 2005 at 10:09 pm
Charlene - I’ll try and catch Jake before he heads that way, but he’s pretty stubborn & I obviously can’t control him. Did I mention he tends to carry grenades with him at all times?:shock:
Michelle - you sound like me with Suz Brockmann - I always think, she uses them - but she is Suz B. and I’m not
Suzanne - OMG - I have a prologue AND flashbacks. *takes deep breaths and repeats - no rules, no rules, no rules* I like no rules:biggrin:
Cece - Right now my gut says - head for the nearest box of cookies. And the thing is, as I’ve said before - I really love reading flashbacks - you’re right - sometimes there’s no other way to get the information across. I always feel like - if there’s dislogue and action in a flashback, then it shouldn’t really count as a backstory dump, right?
May 17th, 2005 at 8:04 am
Heck, I want a postcard from a good-looking Seal!:grr:
Flashbacks–don’t use them, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t work if done right. If you need an extra pair of eyes to look at it, Steph..just drop me a line.
Have a fabulous day!
May 17th, 2005 at 8:44 am
Thanks Jerri! I might just toruture - uh, take you up on that offer.:biggrin: