In a previous post I gave a brief account of when to use a flashback. In this post I’ll be covering how to create them. It really isn’t hard. If done right, the reader will know and understand that a flashback is occurring.
But first, how does one separate a flashback from the rest of the text/story/scene. Simple…with an extra space gap between the paragraph just before the flashback starts and the flashback itself. Second, I always find it better if the flashback itself is in italics. There’s no rule that says you have to do this. I just find it better to do for the benefit of the readers.
So how do you lead into a flashback? Here are some samples of some lead-ins.
- Sally thought about the first red rose she got from her boyfriend and smiled…..
- Jeff leaned against the door frame and watched his family open Christmas presents. Nothing had changed since he was kid…..
- Much like right now, my mother never did understand what happened that summer…..
- I slipped my foot into the saddle’s stirrup, grabbed the horn, then froze. Would this time go smoothly, or would I end up like last time…..
- Stan straightened his tie. He expected his wife, Dawn, to saunter in and take over then give it a once over, but not this time nor any other time. He smiled at the last time she’d done that…..
Remember, use flashbacks only when necessary, and don’t make writing them more difficult than they have to be. If you’re in doubt, have someone else look at it.
WRITE TIME AND AGAIN 