Comments on: FLASHBACKS http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/ Ten Authors. Five Genres. One Blog. Because the only thing scarier than a loaded gun pointed at your head....is writing about it. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:37:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Maureen http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11905 Maureen Fri, 13 Oct 2006 19:45:11 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11905 I've already commented on my view of flashbacks. Mostly I like them, however, I read a book about a year ago. I can't remember the title. I didn't actually finish the book. Here's why. I was involved in the story. Then, about 50 pages in came a long flashback. When I say long, I mean about 15 pages. It was good. But I got so involved in the flashback, which had a teaser ending, that when I got back to the main story, I was irritated. So I read the last chapter and dumped the book in my library-sale bag. It's possible to have too much of a good thing. Mo I’ve already commented on my view of flashbacks. Mostly I like them, however, I read a book about a year ago. I can’t remember the title. I didn’t actually finish the book. Here’s why.

I was involved in the story. Then, about 50 pages in came a long flashback. When I say long, I mean about 15 pages. It was good. But I got so involved in the flashback, which had a teaser ending, that when I got back to the main story, I was irritated. So I read the last chapter and dumped the book in my library-sale bag.

It’s possible to have too much of a good thing.

Mo

]]> By: May http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11901 May Fri, 13 Oct 2006 18:47:35 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11901 I haven't ever written a flashback, and saying that probably means I'll be writing another one in the next few days--my muse, my muse, he be quite contrary. I do think that they run a higher risk of causing the book to lag, but that's about it. It's in the execution people. I haven’t ever written a flashback, and saying that probably means I’ll be writing another one in the next few days–my muse, my muse, he be quite contrary.

I do think that they run a higher risk of causing the book to lag, but that’s about it. It’s in the execution people.

]]> By: Kalen Hughes http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11892 Kalen Hughes Fri, 13 Oct 2006 15:28:15 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11892 I don't think "the rules" actually exist as such. I think that a lot of aspiring writers are searching for that magic key that will open the gate to publication and they've codified ADVICE from their idols and somehow created an urban legend that is THE RULES. I don’t think “the rules” actually exist as such. I think that a lot of aspiring writers are searching for that magic key that will open the gate to publication and they’ve codified ADVICE from their idols and somehow created an urban legend that is THE RULES.

]]> By: Monica M. http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11832 Monica M. Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:04:55 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11832 Allison, I also love flashbacks. To me they can give real poignancy to a scene and intensify the emotion. But like everything else, they have to be done well. (Like yours!). I've also used them in what I hope is an effective manner. Allison,
I also love flashbacks. To me they can give real poignancy to a scene and intensify the emotion. But like everything else, they have to be done well. (Like yours!). I’ve also used them in what I hope is an effective manner.

]]> By: Allison http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11828 Allison Thu, 12 Oct 2006 21:59:22 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11828 Kalen, you crack me up :) I'm so glad everyone agrees with me. We been talking about "rules" on one of the published author loops I'm on and no one likes them, so I really want to know how they got started. Meretta, you're so right about the toolbox! (something King also discusses). We need to know what we can use and use them properly. Kalen, you crack me up :)

I’m so glad everyone agrees with me. We been talking about “rules” on one of the published author loops I’m on and no one likes them, so I really want to know how they got started.

Meretta, you’re so right about the toolbox! (something King also discusses). We need to know what we can use and use them properly.

]]> By: Maureen http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11824 Maureen Thu, 12 Oct 2006 20:13:01 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11824 The rules! What rules? Didn't someone say - and I'm paraphrasing - there are three rules to writing a great book and nobody knows what they are. That said. It really does depend upon the story. If a flashback holds up the story too much, dump it. Otherwise I have no objection to flashbacks. Allison, I'm not sure how you would have told the story in The Hunt without flashbacks. Something to ponder I guess. That said. I've read a couple of books where the flashbacks were better than the current story. Not good, I'm thinking. Mo The rules! What rules? Didn’t someone say – and I’m paraphrasing – there are three rules to writing a great book and nobody knows what they are.

That said. It really does depend upon the story. If a flashback holds up the story too much, dump it. Otherwise I have no objection to flashbacks. Allison, I’m not sure how you would have told the story in The Hunt without flashbacks. Something to ponder I guess.

That said. I’ve read a couple of books where the flashbacks were better than the current story. Not good, I’m thinking.

Mo

]]> By: Karin http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11823 Karin Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:49:44 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11823 I'll echo sentiment here. If it works *use it*. I'm really beginning to believe that many writers, published and unpublished are too fixated on the 'rules'. Who makes up the 'rules' anyway? The concentration shouldn't be on the 'rules' but the craft of writing. Craft a riveting story and they will read. I’ll echo sentiment here. If it works *use it*. I’m really beginning to believe that many writers, published and unpublished are too fixated on the ‘rules’. Who makes up the ‘rules’ anyway? The concentration shouldn’t be on the ‘rules’ but the craft of writing. Craft a riveting story and they will read.

]]> By: Michelle Diener http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11821 Michelle Diener Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:37:27 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11821 Allison, the flashbacks in The Hunt worked so well. I really loved the way you used that, and I agree, if the story needs it, use it. Allison, the flashbacks in The Hunt worked so well. I really loved the way you used that, and I agree, if the story needs it, use it.

]]> By: spyscribbler http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11820 spyscribbler Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:21:20 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11820 I think it's all in the pacing and the transitions. The king of flashback use (not skill) is Dan Brown. When I read the Da Vinci Code, I would be two or three paragraphs into a flashback before I realized a few new people hadn't suddenly materialized, and that we were in a flashback. Then I'd have to go back and re-read again to understand it. On other hand, Dan Brown's flashbacks dumped such fascinating information, that I couldn't put the book down. I'm looking forward to your flashbacks, Allison! You're right, watching the action is much better than hearing it summarized later. I think it’s all in the pacing and the transitions.

The king of flashback use (not skill) is Dan Brown. When I read the Da Vinci Code, I would be two or three paragraphs into a flashback before I realized a few new people hadn’t suddenly materialized, and that we were in a flashback. Then I’d have to go back and re-read again to understand it.

On other hand, Dan Brown’s flashbacks dumped such fascinating information, that I couldn’t put the book down.

I’m looking forward to your flashbacks, Allison! You’re right, watching the action is much better than hearing it summarized later.

]]> By: Natalie http://www.murdershewrites.com/2006/10/12/flashbacks/#comment-11819 Natalie Thu, 12 Oct 2006 19:20:47 +0000 http://www.murdershewrites.com/?p=299#comment-11819 I'm with Jen. I just think that you USE what the story needs, and ignore the rest. Again, Allison, very interesting subject! I’m with Jen. I just think that you USE what the story needs, and ignore the rest. Again, Allison, very interesting subject!

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