McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft

Are Flashbacks Completely Taboo?

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songofsuzanna:
There is a flashback in my novel that isn't very long, just a few lines of dialogue and some action, at a moment when the hero needs to make an important decision, when the character can either evolve or devolve (so to speak).  But I keep reading about how flashbacks are completely taboo, you should never do them, period.  Is this true?

Haru:
If it's well done it should be ok. Even Jim used them in at least one book I remember, the scenes in Camp Kaboom and what follows. And they are integrated brilliantly, so I don't think they should be considered taboo outright.

But there is also the risk of them feeling alien and they just would hinder the story more than they would help it.

So I think the best way to go would be to try it, and if it fits you can use it. If the read is too bumpy, rewrite it.

Lanodantheon:
Flashbacks are denounced in writing advice columns, books, and articles because amateurs and new writers tend to overuse them and/or use them incorrectly.

Flashbacks are taboo to veteran writers because they easy and they are easy to misuse (stop any forward action and be a collection scenes meant solely for exposition)

If a Flashback, 1) moves the story forward, 2) is compelling and 3) provides information that cannot be conveyed any other way or nearly as efficiently then go ahead and use a Flashback. 

songofsuzanna:
Thanks for the advice!  The information is something that can be conveyed in conversation between two characters but I think that maybe a flashback has more of an emotional punch to it.  I'll play with it and see if it works or if there's a better way of doing it.

meg_evonne:
WTF! Flashbacks are eloquent and powerful! I've taken classes from several editors at major houses, from writer workshops that included the likes of Brett Johnston Anthony from Harvard, BK Loren Millieum Short Story winner.  Who ever would say that this important writer's tool was taboo. Idjits.

Not only are flashbacks essential to tension beats in your writing and another way to disperse backstory (if not used as a crutch) they are a literary staple. Idjits. Idjits. Idjits.

Hint: Many writers hate to write them and they suck at them! Could this be an easy out for lousy writers? LOL

Now, whether the flashback is doing more than chugging out boring bacckstory, or if it works the way you are using them? That you will have to decide. FLASH TO YOUR HEARTS CONTENT. You can always reorganize later, if need be.

Ditto to this excellent advice!
--- Quote from: Lanodantheon on July 19, 2011, 10:11:39 PM ---
If a Flashback, 1) moves the story forward, 2) is compelling and 3) provides information that cannot be conveyed any other way or nearly as efficiently then go ahead and use a Flashback.  



--- End quote ---

My blood pressure is still up...  OK, if you are getting feedback that your FB isn't working, it might be because it is far too short. A couple lines dropped at a tension point to give what you think is more emotional/tension out of a scene probably needs more to make it a true value to your story. That's just a thought though.

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