ancwritingresources:

Resource: Writing the Flashback

So you’re thinking about writing a flashback but you don’t know where to start. Flashbacks can be great tools in writing especially if you’re telling a story that takes place over a long period of time; however, if used incorrectly, flashbacks tend to be a sign of poor or “inexperienced” writing in the mind of a publisher, so it’s important to know what you’ll need to do and where to start. Here are some sources I hope will help.  

Should You Use Flashbacks?

• Flashback—Storytelling Foe or Friend?
• Why Flashbacks Are a Bad Idea (But How You Can Still Use Them)
• Why You Should Avoid Them (Tips From An Author)
• What Every Writer Should Know About Flashbacks
• Why You Shouldn’t Use Flashbacks

Using Flashbacks Effectively:

• How To Handle Flashbacks in Writing
• What is a Flashback and How Do You Use Them? 
• The Use of Flashbacks in Screenplays
• The Five Rules of Writing a Flashback
• 5 More Tips
• Formatting Flashbacks in Screenplays
• How to Construct the Flashback
• Using the Flashback and Flash-forward in Novels
• Flashbacks and Foreshadowing
• How to Transition into a Flashback
• 5 Rules of Effective Flashbacks
• 3 Tips for Writing Successful Flashbacks
• A Great Guide by WriteWorld

Examples Of Flashbacks:

• Flashbacks: Techniques and Examples
• How to Make Flashbacks Work (With Examples)
• Flashback Examples in Literature
• Flashbacks in Screenplays (With Examples)

If you’re unsure whether or not a flashback is necessary, ask yourself: a.) is it something I can’t say in the narration? and b.) has my story really started at the right spot? Should I start further back in time? If you’re confident than that the time span of your story is correct, then embrace the flashback! It might be tricky at times, but it can be vital in telling your story authentically. After all, some of the best stories use flashbacks, and you certainly won’t be the first or the last writer to try them again.