Do you feel like you have a story that’s highly dependant on your characters backstories, but you’ve heard all the arguments against including flashbacks in your story? Well, I’m here today to tell you how you can identify whether your story needs flashbacks and find calculated professional ways of including those in your story!
Flashbacks, the doom of newbie writers. The lazy, info-dumping technique we’ve all been warned about—right? But what if I told you that this advice is highly outdated? Flashbacks can absolutely be a powerful tool in your storytelling arsenal when used correctly.
Today, we're tackling the often misunderstood topic of flashbacks and how to use them effectively in your writing.
Many writers have heard it: “Don’t use flashbacks! It disrupts the flow, it's lazy, or it just ends up being an info-dump.” But that doesn’t have to be the case. In fact, when done right, flashbacks can add layers to your story and offer readers a deeper understanding of your characters and plot.
I'm a big fan of flashbacks myself, and here's why:
When used with intention, flashbacks can elevate your story by revealing important backstory, motivations, and character insights that couldn’t be conveyed through your present plot alone. They can provide a glimpse into your characters’ pasts, allowing readers to understand the why behind their actions.
Here are some reasons why flashbacks can be a fantastic addition:
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Character Depth: Flashbacks give you the chance to show critical moments in your characters’ lives that shaped who they are in the present. Whether it’s a traumatic event, a turning point, or an important relationship, these glimpses into the past help readers connect with your characters on a deeper level.
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Building Tension: When done well, a flashback can add suspense by revealing crucial details at just the right moment. It can raise more questions in the present storyline and keep readers hooked as they wait for the payoff.
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Answering Big Questions: Have a mysterious element or plot twist that you need to explain? A flashback can provide the perfect opportunity to shed light on what happened in the past that’s impacting the present events.
Pitfalls
Info-dumps: One of the biggest no-nos is using flashbacks solely as a way to dump information. This often happens when a flashback directly follows a description or dialogue about the very event you’re about to revisit. Essentially, you're telling your reader the same thing twice. If your present scene already gives us enough context, there’s no need to immediately dive into a flashback for the sake of reiteration. Sometimes, less is more.
Answering too many questions: While flashbacks can be used to answer questions posed in your main storyline, they shouldn't only serve that purpose. A well-placed flashback should still create new questions or open up new narrative threads. It should dig deeper into your characters or their backstory, making readers wonder about what’s to come, not just tying up loose ends.
Revealing Unnecessary Information: Remember, your readers didn’t ask for the flashback, so make sure it’s worth their time. If the flashback only rehashes something your character has already expressed in the present timeline, there’s no reason to include it. However, if there’s a part of the backstory your character hasn't shared—something new and significant that shifts the reader's perspective—that's when a flashback can be a game-changer.
Including Flashbacks Without a Clear Purpose: Another common mistake is inserting flashbacks simply because you can’t find a better way to introduce certain information. If a flashback feels out of place or is used to patch a hole in your current timeline, it risks feeling forced. Flashbacks should always be planned into your story and have a clear reason for being there.
Using Only One or Two Flashbacks: Be cautious of scattering a few flashbacks into your story without integrating them into the overall narrative. If you only use one or two flashbacks in the entire book, they can feel jarring—especially if they shift to a different time, place, or narrative perspective. If flashbacks are part of your storytelling method, make sure they are balanced and cohesive within the flow of your plot.
Ways To Pull It Off
Now that we’ve covered what to avoid, let’s talk about how to make flashbacks work for your story. A well-crafted flashback can add richness, depth, and emotional resonance to your narrative.
1. Know the Difference Between Context and Flashbacks
There’s a subtle but important distinction between providing context within a current scene and diving into a full-blown flashback. Sometimes, your character’s thoughts and reflections can serve as a “mini flashback” without taking the reader completely out of the present storyline.
For example, a character could be in the middle of a conversation and be reminded of a moment from their childhood—say, a memory of eating ice cream with their mother at the beach. This moment of reflection doesn’t need to turn into a full flashback with detailed descriptions and dialogue. Instead, you can weave it into the narrative through internal monologue or narration, briefly grounding the reader in that past moment without disrupting the flow of the current scene.
2. Use Flashbacks to Reveal, Not Repeat
If your character has already shared a significant event from their past, avoid using a flashback to repeat that same information. However, if there’s a part of the story they didn’t reveal—something crucial that changes the reader’s understanding—then a flashback can be an effective tool. It adds layers to the story by showing a piece of the puzzle that wasn’t previously visible.
3. Create Seamless Transitions
The best flashbacks are those that feel like a natural extension of the current timeline. Smooth transitions are key—use emotional triggers, sensory details, or a relevant conversation in the present moment to guide your reader into the flashback. These moments should feel organic, not like a hard cut to an entirely different scene.
4. Don’t Overwhelm the Reader
Too many flashbacks, or long, convoluted ones, can interrupt the pacing of your story. Balance is crucial. Use flashbacks sparingly and make sure they’re concise and engaging. Your readers should look forward to learning more about the past without feeling like they’re being dragged away from the main plot.
Tips & Tricks
Flashbacks are a powerful tool for adding depth to your story, but to use them effectively, you need to ensure they’re integrated smoothly into your narrative. Here are some tips to help you do just that:
1. Parallel Your Flashbacks to the Main Story
A flashback should have a clear connection to what's happening in the main storyline. There should be a reason why this specific flashback is happening at this particular moment in the story. Ideally, something in the present timeline should trigger the flashback, allowing the reader to see how the past event relates to the current situation. This keeps the flashback from feeling random and gives it purpose in the larger narrative.
2. Use Symbolism to Connect Timelines
To create smooth transitions between the present and a flashback, use symbolism. This can be anything from repeating objects, settings, or even specific colors. For example, you could focus on an object in the present and then reference that same object in the flashback, creating a visual or thematic bridge between the two timelines. You can also repeat a line of dialogue or set the flashback in a location that mirrors the present-day setting. These subtle connections help make the transition feel natural.
3. Set Up Intrigue in the Main Storyline
The more questions you raise about a character’s past in your main storyline, the more compelling the flashbacks will be. Flashbacks should satisfy some of the reader’s curiosity but also introduce new questions or mysteries. By setting up intrigue in your main plot, you make readers eager to explore the flashback because they want to know more about how the past influences the present.
4. Keep Flashbacks Short and Focused
Flashbacks should serve the main narrative, not overshadow it. Keep them concise, focused on key moments or revelations that matter to the story. Long flashbacks can slow down your pacing, so ensure they provide necessary insights without taking over the entire plot. They should complement the current timeline, not distract from it.
