tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post8120164659595697291..comments2024-03-20T07:59:31.684-04:00Comments on Jennifer Lane Books Blog: Flashbacks: Helpful or Hurtful?Jennifer Lanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-18151588122167096612010-08-31T07:50:32.054-04:002010-08-31T07:50:32.054-04:00Thank you for your comment, Elyse! I haven't c...Thank you for your comment, Elyse! I haven't come across many of those "info dumps" ha ha but those do sound unappealing. I think I understand a layered style, but what makes your style circular? You're not telling the story chronologically? I do agree that whether or not flashbacks are used or are effective depend on the writer's style.Jennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-84397995634351029042010-08-30T18:33:32.044-04:002010-08-30T18:33:32.044-04:00As a reader, I hate lazy flashbacks - those dreade...As a reader, I hate lazy flashbacks - those dreaded info dumps disguised as flashbacks that give the reader "ALL OF THE CHARACTER'S BACKGROUND RIGHT UP FRONT". LOL I think as writers we all have our writing styles - mine's very circular and layered, so I tend to like digression in my plots and flashbacks certainly work into that but for other writers they feel it pulls them away from their characters forward momentum. I think it depends on the writer and it depends on the characters they're working with, too.<br /><br />ElyseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-8861449337817514332010-08-20T15:57:50.426-04:002010-08-20T15:57:50.426-04:00Hi Elizabeth, facebook friend! Thanks for stopping...Hi Elizabeth, facebook friend! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. No worries if flashbacks aren't your thing--we all have different opinions. I'm curious, though, what made you change from adoring them to not liking them?Jennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-91863969019110660422010-08-20T15:56:49.504-04:002010-08-20T15:56:49.504-04:00Hi Katie, thanks for your comment! Hopefully edito...Hi Katie, thanks for your comment! Hopefully editors can help flashbacks from being too confusing. I am wanting to use them more carefully and sparingly after all the feedback I'm hearing.Jennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-54724544240459842092010-08-20T14:37:11.245-04:002010-08-20T14:37:11.245-04:00Well, I used to ADORE flashbacks, too. Really. But...Well, I used to ADORE flashbacks, too. Really. But more often than not, they do bog the story down if they're not interesting enough.<br />I'm sorry...<br /><br />Great blog, by the way! ;)Elizabeth Muellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06028099814857743134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-10326033521997866052010-08-18T17:45:55.446-04:002010-08-18T17:45:55.446-04:00I agree - if not confusing or overused, the flashb...I agree - if not confusing or overused, the flashback definitely has its place. Great thoughts!Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-57638030615879686222010-08-17T22:58:01.925-04:002010-08-17T22:58:01.925-04:00Oo, I'm getting some great recommendations for...Oo, I'm getting some great recommendations for authors deftly handling flashbacks. I just added The Reincarnationist to my Goodreads "to-read" shelf.<br /><br />Now I'll return to "flashing away"! Thanks, Ella. JenJennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-18917171316908446502010-08-17T22:54:59.628-04:002010-08-17T22:54:59.628-04:00Hi Megan, I'm glad you liked the little flashb...Hi Megan, I'm glad you liked the little flashback I inserted in there. Yes, flow and segue (or segway as I used to spell it ha ha) are very important. Thanks for your comment!Jennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-83355412549681758182010-08-17T21:56:41.925-04:002010-08-17T21:56:41.925-04:00Hi Jennifer!
As most have said, I'm all for f...Hi Jennifer! <br />As most have said, I'm all for flashbacks so long as they are done well, move the story, and are relatively short. Although, I recently read The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose that was done fabulously, I thought anyway. The main character bounced around with lengthy flashbacks from the 16th and 18th centuries, but it was so well done you couldn't help enjoy it.<br />So I say, hellya! Go with your gut and flash away! :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-49840986704911724812010-08-17T14:03:36.326-04:002010-08-17T14:03:36.326-04:00I loved your flashback when describing what happen...I loved your flashback when describing what happened, very clever.<br /><br />Personally, I think it's up to the author and their preference, but flashbacks can be helpful when a simple retelling of the scene just won't cut it. How the author manages the flow and segue into the flashback is important.magan baganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04605704234228186012noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-44874064953788886422010-08-17T08:54:31.624-04:002010-08-17T08:54:31.624-04:00Hee hee, I found that kitty on Roland's blog a...Hee hee, I found that kitty on Roland's blog and promptly stole it, mwa ha ha.<br /><br />A flashback within a flashback? I like the way you're thinking! I've tried a therapy flashback within a therapy scene, but I don't think I've tackled the double flashback yet.<br /><br />It's comical to me that I haven't really studied the craft of writing much either. I'm learning a lot, AFTER WGB was published. :)<br /><br />Thanks for your comments!Jennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-58370008548466019562010-08-17T06:11:18.341-04:002010-08-17T06:11:18.341-04:00P.S. I could play with that kitty for HOURS! ;DP.S. I could play with that kitty for HOURS! ;DJaninehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05226978471709211164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-25183586910331132352010-08-17T03:47:05.579-04:002010-08-17T03:47:05.579-04:00Hey Jen!
LOL at your blog flashback! Next time t...Hey Jen!<br /><br />LOL at your blog flashback! Next time try a flashback WITHIN a flashback! ;D<br /><br />The way I see flashbacks: Some writers use them; others don't. If they're used well, then they add to the story immensely; if they're written poorly, it's disjunctive. It's a matter of style and skill!<br /><br />That's an interesting eHow.com article. As a reader (and not a writer), I don't analyse HOW things are written, unless I specifically put my mind to it -- I just get carried along by the story. I adore you writing, so you must be using flashbacks effectively! :)Janinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05226978471709211164noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-22535464696881995642010-08-16T23:59:40.856-04:002010-08-16T23:59:40.856-04:00Thank you for the comments, Roland! Another recomm...Thank you for the comments, Roland! Another recommendation to go with my gut about what works best for my stories. <br /><br />May you find the bestest agent ever, followed by a kickass book contract. I was feeling rather downtrodden when I couldn't find an agent but then I came across a small publisher that was the perfect fit for me. Who knows when that moment will happen for you!Jennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-56420738725179752132010-08-16T23:36:31.249-04:002010-08-16T23:36:31.249-04:00I have rules that I follow in my flashbacks :
1) ...I have rules that I follow in my flashbacks :<br /><br />1) They should be short so as not to interrupt the flow of the present narrative.<br /><br />2) They should pertain to what came before it, illuminating that scene in ways that couldn't be done in the present.<br /><br />3) They should begin and end with a hook to ramp up reader interest.<br /><br />But you are an author who is about to have her book published, where I am but a struggling writer yet to find an agent.<br /><br />You must go with your instincts. You think Hemingway, Faulkner, or Chandler listened to nay-sayers?<br /><br />May your book hit the best seller lists. RolandRoland D. Yeomanshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00338410857990551352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-19133745140667408322010-08-16T16:22:58.509-04:002010-08-16T16:22:58.509-04:00Francine! Thanks for commenting on the blog.
Your...Francine! Thanks for commenting on the blog.<br /><br />Your comment was similar to some reader feedback I received: you have to stay with what works for YOU as a writer. Flashbacks might not be Jennifer Crusie's thing, but they are definitely part of my style, and I need to accept that and move forward. I guess moderation is key with any element of the story, as well as skill.Jennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-84978476438354209452010-08-16T16:20:08.686-04:002010-08-16T16:20:08.686-04:00Hi Nicki! Cool, that's great you didn't re...Hi Nicki! Cool, that's great you didn't realize that you were reading a flashback at the time. I agree that done well, flashbacks can offer a lot to the story.Jennifer Lanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13300124780126853962noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-11617370764932290242010-08-16T14:42:10.877-04:002010-08-16T14:42:10.877-04:00Hi,
Neat flashback!
So what if Jennifer Crusie s...Hi,<br /><br />Neat flashback!<br /><br />So what if Jennifer Crusie said flashbacks are the sign of a lazy writer.<br /><br />Same can be said of a writer who virtually relies on dialogue throughout a novel as its driving force: to such an extent it becomes obvious the author is either too damn lazy to put effort into the deeper side of a character's psyche, or lacks the wherewithall to do it in a stylish and unobtrusive way. ;)<br /><br />best<br />FFrancine Howarthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02326542867876257042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1868326771039467931.post-77486640271343060222010-08-16T11:38:33.065-04:002010-08-16T11:38:33.065-04:00You're so clever weaving in that flashback---a...You're so clever weaving in that flashback---and it's a fine example of a flashback well done. I didn't even realize until you pointed it out!<br /><br />Doing it well is the key, because I have read stories where the flashbacks only proved jarring and confusing, but handled in the right way, the story will flow and readers will get some fantastic insight into the character's psyche.Nicki Elsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11412032684225126973noreply@blogger.com