Welcome to the Australasian Christian Writers Tuesday Book Chat, where we encourage book lovers to answer our bookish question of the week.
Today’s question is:
Flashbacks in fiction: Do you love them or loathe them?
We look forward to hearing your thoughts. Please join in the conversation in a comment on this post or in a comment on the blog post shared in our Australasian Christian Writers Facebook Group.
Let’s chat!
When I first read this question, I thought hmm… it depends. I do loathe flashbacks in movies. The English Patient was one of the most painful movies to watch because I got lost in all the flashbacks.
I’m not usually a fan of flashbacks in fiction books. That said, if the author is exceptionally good at slipping in relevant flashbacks that are necessary for the story to make sense, I can live with them. But, if flashbacks are effectively back story insertions and not one hundred percent needed, they’ll frustrate me by dragging me out of the story for no good reason.
I agree it depends. I know I read a book where the book was going from present to past so much I had no idea what was happening. I know it was to tell what had happened and why the character was suffering etc but I just got lost.
If its just occasionally like the character reliving a memory due to trauma or something has triggered a memory and left her feeling shaken then it can be good. If its just to tell what happened previous to this point of time then why not start the story earlier or just do a prologue to cover that.
Hi Jenny, I agree. Flashbacks, to be effective, need to add value to the story by giving readers insights that are important to the story. I easily get lost in a story that jumps around too much. Prologues are usually a better option that flashbacks. 🙂
Hi Narelle, I find them quite intriguing, when they’re done sparingly and well.
Hi Paula, Yes, when they’re done well flashbacks can be very powerful. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
I agree, Jenny. I have read a book involving about five characters and each chapter told a story of a different character, often in flashback (without identifying the character first) I spent soooo much time figuring out who the person was that it slowed down the story as I sat there scratching my head and flicking back over the previous chapters and/or character introductions, that it ruined the book for me. However, I just Have To finish a book I have started. Very frustrating.
Hi Susan, You have more patience than I, lol. I would have tossed the book by the 20% mark because it was just too hard to read!
I have to say I don’t mind them if they are well done. I need space around them and to know when I’m entering or exiting the flashback. And for only one character to be flashing back.
Hi Susan, I can’t think of a book that has multiple characters doing flashbacks in a seamless way that made sense. I’m sure a book like this does exist somewhere. 🙂
I love a good flashback if it supplies an extra hint. Thankfully I have a good copyeditor who keeps me from using too many in my writing and who encourages me to stay focused on advancing the story.
Hi Chrissy, Good Copyeditors are worth their weight in gold & would delete my cliche too, lol. 🙂