Hello there! Welcome to the fascinating world of stories. Today, we'll learn about an incredible writing method called flashback, which can add a lot of depth and essence to your story.
Have you ever come across a movie or a book that takes you back in time to show you an event that occurred in the past? That's a flashback. It's a technique of telling a story that transports the reader or viewer to a specific moment or event in time. But how can you effectively include a flashback scene without causing confusion for your readers? This blog has all the answers you seek.
Positioning Flashback Scenes in your Story
The key is to position the flashback after a few scenes in your story's present time. Once the flashback is over, your readers will be able to recognise where the present-time narration left off. Consider it like a movie that alternates between the past and the present. It's simple to follow because the present-day scenes serve as anchors, reminding us where we are in the story.
For example, in her Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling employs flashbacks to reveal important information about the characters' backstories. We see a flashback to Snape's childhood in the fifth book, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix,’ which helps to explain his intentions and actions. The author informs the reader when the flashback begins and ends by inserting it after a few scenes in the present-day story. This is just the tip of the iceberg; let's dive in and learn more about how to use this technique to craft a memorable story!
The Trigger
The incident or circumstance that leads to the flashback is referred to as a trigger. It can be compared to a key that opens the door to the past. The trigger can be a smell, a sound, a sight or a feeling. Anything that reminds the character of a past incident can set off a flashback.
Examples: a) The protagonist witnesses an accident, which immediately triggers horrible memories within the character, and the hero is transported to his past, where he may have been involved in a terrible accident and may have suffered the loss of loved ones.
b) When the main character hears a song on the radio, which she used to listen to with her best friend, it reminds her of their lost friendship as well as the happy times they shared.
Understanding Your Characters' Past Traumas and Fears
Imagine reading a book about a valiant soldier who appears to be invincible in the face of danger. However, the author abruptly transports you to a memory that alters everything. You discover that the soldier was just a child when his country was invaded and plundered by the enemy army. This moving flashback scene explains why the soldier is so brave and committed to protecting his country. The author's exploration of this memory gives the character depth and complexity, making the story more exciting and captivating. So, if you're writing a story with a flashback scene, make sure to vividly describe why this memory is so important to your character and how it has profoundly affected their life.
Bringing Characters Back to the Present Using Sensory Triggers
Let's imagine a young girl lost in a daydream about the past, reliving a happy memory of playing with her beloved pet dog in their garden. Suddenly, a loud noise startles her back to reality— the thunder! Alternatively, her mother's voice calling her for dinner might bring her back to the present. As an author, you can use these sensory triggers to snap your character out of the reverie and back to the present, keeping the story moving forward. While flashbacks are an excellent way to tell a story, it's equally important to ground your readers in the present. So, whenever you include a flashback scene, remember to bring your character back to the present with a sensory trigger that engages your readers and keeps the story flowing.
Flashback Method in Children's Books and Movies
One well-known example of a children's movie that uses flashbacks is Pixar's ‘Up,’ which follows an elderly man named Carl on a journey to fulfil his lifelong dream of travelling to South America. The movie starts with a flashback to Carl's childhood, when he met and fell in love with his wife, Ellie. This sequence establishes the story's emotional core and explains why Carl is so motivated to realise their shared dream. Another example is ‘The Lion King,’ in which a young Simba recollects his father's teachings, which he later utilises to become the king he was destined to be. Shel Silverstein's ‘The Giving Tree’ is another children's book which applies flashbacks to tell the tale.
Now it's your turn to write a flashback story! Choose an interesting event from your own life or imagine a character and a scenario that piques your interest, and let your imagination run wild.
Good luck with your writing!