Tip 1: make it clear the character is going back in time.
Give the character a trigger – he sees an object, smells a scent, or experiences an action.
For stories written in past tense, use past perfect tense a few times when entering the flashback. Once in, switch to past tense until near the end of the flashback, then switch to past perfect a few times. After leaving the flashback, return to past tense. (Limits cumbersome past perfect.)
For stories written in present tense, use the simple past in the flashback.
Tip 2: Write the flashback so it:
*Serves a purpose – shows what shaped characters into who they are now or shows past story world.
*Engages the reader.
*Is limited to key moments.
Tip 3: Write ending sentences that transition the reader and character from the flashback.
*Use another trigger – abrupt or easing.
*Change verb tense as mentioned above.
Tip 4: After the flashback, the reader must see the character or story world in a new light as they read forward in the present.
General:
1.Don’t use flashbacks as a cop-out to avoid writing difficult present story.
2.Don’t include more than one or two flashbacks.
3.Let go of a merely interesting flashback from a character’s biography.
4.Use flashbacks only after the reader’s engaged in the story and knows the character (after several scenes).
5.Make sure a flashback advances the main story.
6.Make sure a flashback scene, like a main-story scene, has goals, motivations, and resolutions.
7.Give long flashbacks their own chapter or scene.
8.Hold back flashbacks until the reader must know the information – keep the suspense going.
9.Have flashbacks follow exciting scenes so the reader will want to return to the main story.
http://zoemmccarthy.com/writing/flashbacks-when-theyre-not-appropriate-and-tips-for-when-they-are
A very useful lesson on the proper use of flashbacks!
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Thank you, sir!
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Great tips on this rather difficult transportation into the past Amir. I have seen some film noir where the protagonist begins his story with just a few words that propel him back to the “beginning” and the entire tale is in that prospective, up to the close out. Thanks again for a most interesting and enlightening article.
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Thank you for reading and commenting on my posts! I really appreciate it!
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I tried to leave comments on your blog, but I guess they went into your spam folder!
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Oh, I will ck there. That was happening to me earlier in the year, I eventually sent a support request to support@akismet.com and they took care of my issue! Thank you Amir.
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I have to tell them about this issue.
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I didn’t find you in my spam folder. 🙂
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Let me send a comment.
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I left a comment, Holly.
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yes, here it is 🙂
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I found you in spam Amir …Hi! 🙂
support@akismet.com …I sent them my problem with the spam issue back in May and they fixed it for me.
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Thank you. I sent them my problem. Now I can comment on your amazing blog!
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Good luck with this. I got a reply from them within a day or so.
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May I ask a question?
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Sure
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As a non-native writer, I have some problems using the word “off”. I don’t know when to add them to other verbs, and how it changes the meanings.
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When used as a verb, one might say “he “offed” her killer” or “he decided to off her” (meaning kill her)
A phrasal verb :
” The plane took off an hour late”.
Your English seems perfect to me but here’s an interesting link.
http://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/off_1
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Thank you so much! I’ll check it out right now.🙂
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one might say “get off my bike”…or “I’m off to the races”. Examples.
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Phrasal verbs are the hardest part of English language.😞
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I know. What does phrasal verb mean anyway. 🙂
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Where are you from, Holly?
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I’m from the state of Florida Amir.
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Cool!😊
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Great tips, thank you for sharing this information.
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You’re welcome.😊
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Thanks, especially for the tenses part 🙂
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You’re welcome!
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Loved it
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in radio productions a flashback to the good old times quite often uses the chime of a harp to accentuate the dialogue’s changing into past – often used as a cliché for comedic effect. Anybody know if there is any specific term for that?
Thanks for liking Nat’s Cats Nuts, by the way!
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I hope someone can answer your question. And thank you too for liking and commenting, as well!
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Hello there, one of my most loyal ‘liker’ , not your royal highness but your loyal likeness
I already thought I had overstrained your tolerance because I posted quite a few things tiday, a bit much, really, for anybody’s inbox :} – I am pretty certain, though, that won’t happen again in a hurry…
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That’s okay!😘
I’m always here to like your posts
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I just loved this post.
I always get stuck at how to write a flashback, and this post will help me a lot.
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Thanks again!
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really helpful 👌
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Thanks
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Reblogged this on Memoir Notes.
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Great tips! Thanks for sharing 😇
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You’re welcome
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Reblogged this on eternal scribbler and commented:
As I missed yesterday’s blog post, I thought I would share a reblog. Enjoy 😊
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Great article, reblogged!
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