Comments on: flashbacks

By: Steph T.

Steph T. — Tue, 17 May 2005 12:44:56 +0000

Thanks Jerri! I might just toruture - uh, take you up on that offer.:biggrin:

By: Jerri

Jerri — Tue, 17 May 2005 12:04:11 +0000

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!

By: Steph T.

Steph T. — Tue, 17 May 2005 02:09:36 +0000

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?

By: Cece

Cece — Tue, 17 May 2005 00:59:00 +0000

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.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Tue, 17 May 2005 00:18:41 +0000

Flashbacks are like prologues. Some people say to NEVER use them, but sometimes they work beautifully. No rules. Just do what works.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 16 May 2005 21:28:24 +0000

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!

By: Charlene

Charlene — Mon, 16 May 2005 21:02:21 +0000

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!

By: Steph T.

Steph T. — Mon, 16 May 2005 20:34:39 +0000

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:

By: kacey

kacey — Mon, 16 May 2005 19:18:28 +0000

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.

By: Sasha

Sasha — Mon, 16 May 2005 17:41:05 +0000

Go with your instincts.

By: Steph T.

Steph T. — Mon, 16 May 2005 15:51:59 +0000

Yay to Jill on finishing:bravo:

By: Jill

Jill — Mon, 16 May 2005 15:42:44 +0000

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 …