Flashbacks - How to do them

[seren_ccd]

I have a question for all the writers/readers on my flist. Do any of ya'll have a good example of flashback used in either lit or fic? Or let me know how you feel about flashbacks. Some people can't stand them and I'd love to know why.

I've hit a bit of a block and am having trouble finding a seamless way of inserting flashbacks. I know I've seen good examples, but am drawing a complete blank.

Halp?

Virtual slices of pie to anyone who can help a girl out.

Comments

[melodyclark.livejournal.com]

People don't like them when they're done badly. Probably the best, seamless example of a great flashback in popular fiction is in Stephen King's Pet Sematary. That said, it's a long, complex flashback which is probably more complicated than what you're thinking of.

Usually, it's just a matter of pace and transition.

McCoy moved slowly to the edge of the room.

He looked upward, toward the limits of his memory. And he saw inside his mind the road unfold until it took the form of a small boy asking a grown man, "Can I use your stethoscope?"

It's just a matter of pace and word choice. The transition can be very short and gentle.

[seren-ccd.livejournal.com]

Oh God, Pet Sematary. It was a complete flashback wasn't it?

I do like and prefer the short transitions, they're very difficult to pace, but generally worth it. I've just got to be patient and try a few different things first. I'm trying very hard not to hit people over the head with them.

*hands you a slice of apple pie a la mode because you used McCoy as an example!*

[melodyclark.livejournal.com]

Not a complete flashback but a lengthy one. I love it because it follows the natural course of human thinking. King persuades you (as the protagonist persuades himself) that Gage hasn't been killed after all and then -- boom -- pulls you back and you share the lead character's tragic realization that Gage was dead after all. Just amazingly well done. I've been writing for thirty years and I still marvel at the artistry of that chapter.

I like short transitions because, when done right, they follow the natural flow of human thought. People start remembering in small movements of thought. A little then a little more, that kind of thing.

Good luck with it. I'm on a diet (as always) so the virtual apple pie is definitely in order! lol McCoy has always been my favorite Trek character and the new version just reaffirmed that. I may even write something McCoyish one day (after everything else is done).