How To Write Flashbacks That Don't Suck

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Beth McMullen and Lisa Schmid tackle the art of writing flashbacks, offering insight into integrating them effectively into your narrative. The episode focuses on making flashbacks seamless and impactful, avoiding common pitfalls that can distract or confuse readers.
Flashbacks: A Double-Edged Sword
- Flashbacks can enrich your story by providing backstory and depth to characters.
- However, misused flashbacks can disrupt the flow and pull readers out of the story.
Five Key Tips for Effective Flashbacks
1. Anchor Your Flashback: Ensure there's a clear connection to the present narrative to smoothly transition into a flashback.
2. Have Purpose: Each flashback should serve a specific purpose, adding value to character development or advancing the plot.
3. Keep It Brief: Lengthy flashbacks can derail the story's pace. Focus on delivering essential information.
4. Make It Clear: Clearly delineate between past and present to avoid confusing your readers. Consistency is key.
5. Integrate, Don't Isolate: Flashbacks should feel like a natural part of the story, not as isolated incidents or info dumps.
6. BONUS: Sometimes, the goal of a flashback can be achieved within the present narrative, reducing the need for a disruptive shift to the past.
Personal Insights and Examples
- Beth shares her experience with her first published novel, Original Sin, discussing how her unfiltered use of flashbacks played out.
- Lisa provides an example from Hart and Souls, illustrating how a flashback can reveal character motivations rooted in past experiences.
The Importance of Revision and Feedback
- Emphasizing the role of critical evaluation, revision, and external feedback in refining the use of flashbacks in your manuscript.
- The hosts share personal anecdotes about receiving and incorporating feedback to improve their work.
Remember
- Flashbacks, when used judiciously and effectively, can significantly enhance storytelling.
Next Episode Preview
- Beth and Lisa tease the next episode featuring Patience Bloom, a veteran in romance editing and publishing, promising invaluable insights into the genre.
Blog version here
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Chapters

1. Mastering Flashbacks in Writing (00:00:00)

2. Mastering the Art of Flashbacks (00:05:49)

3. Romance Editor Patience Bloom Interview (00:18:15)