Comments on: Pirate Codes & Writing Rules—When is a Flashback a Literary Device?

By: dianaflegal

dianaflegal — Wed, 14 May 2014 15:44:07 +0000

Great post. Appreciate the help you offer so many writers, including my clients! That line from Pirates of the Caribbean is one of my favorites. The code is more like guidelines…Argh!

By: saralitchfield

saralitchfield — Thu, 08 May 2014 01:03:15 +0000

Oh God you’d set Me on fire if you could read my MS… luckily I’m rewriting it…

By: Tipsday: Writerly Goodness found on the interwebz April 27-May 3, 2014 | Writerly Goodness

Wed, 07 May 2014 03:14:30 +0000

[…] Lamb’s series on Flashbacks: Part 1, Part 2, and Part […]

By: Pam Portland

Pam Portland — Tue, 06 May 2014 01:16:46 +0000

In reply to J.D. Brown. I use a dream, too, but at the beginning of a chapter. Does it feel different if the reader does not know he/she is in a dream until the MC awakes and then the reader finds out?

By: shad0wrav3n2014

shad0wrav3n2014 — Mon, 05 May 2014 06:06:11 +0000

Reblogged this on remnantscc and commented: Great explaination of the differences between flashbacks and non-linear plot progression.

By: shad0wrav3n2014

shad0wrav3n2014 — Mon, 05 May 2014 06:05:31 +0000

Thank you for clearing that up. I was a little confused about the difference between flashbacks and non-linear plot progression. I use the later a lot in my work because – much like you said – rather than diffuse the tension with a flashback, i prefer to keep it moving forward but sometimes i like explain events later while still moving forward…. yeah now that I’m typing this all out I can see why its confusing to explain. I guess you just have to do it to learn it.

You did a much better job explaining it with your examples than me.

By: CC DAILLY

CC DAILLY — Sun, 04 May 2014 14:03:07 +0000

Hi Kristen, Had a few snickers reading your wonderfully funny blog! I have to admit though I was getting worried that my WIP was filled with flashbacks but now realize that they are actually parallel storylines which end up converging in the present – whew! Thanks for clearing it up for me.

By: Liza Perrat

Liza Perrat — Sat, 03 May 2014 07:36:55 +0000

Thanks for a great post, Kristen… am about to go and slice out all my flashbacks and figure out how to get them into the action.

By: sarahpotterwrites

sarahpotterwrites — Fri, 02 May 2014 15:46:46 +0000

In reply to Author Kristen Lamb. I think it can be done mid-scene if it's a seamless slipping backwards and forwards in someone's mind, as that's what people do anyway, except when they're totally focused on a particular task or activity. But it's when the cut, mid-scene, is too abrupt and akin to someone skidding to a halt and then reversing at high speed back down a road they've just driven along.

By: Gry Ranfelt

Gry Ranfelt — Fri, 02 May 2014 15:39:38 +0000

In reply to Author Kristen Lamb. Nah, that one's a closed deal :P