Flashback in Creative Nonfiction

Flashback in Creative Nonfiction A flashback is a shift in a narrative to an earlier event that interrupts the normal chronological development of a story. Also called analepsis. Contrast with flashforward. Just as with the novelist, says Bronwyn T. Williams, the creative nonfiction writer can condense, expand, fold back, reorder, and otherwise play with space and time. Flashbacks, foreshadowing, changing perspectives, changing the order in which events are told, are all fair game and may be effective dramatically and stylistically (Writing Creative Nonfiction in A Companion to Creative Writing, 2013). Examples and Observations: For a flashback to succeed as part of your beginning, it should meet three criteria.First, it should follow a strong opening scene, one that roots us firmly in your characters present. . . .In addition, the second-scene flashback should bear some clear relation to the first scene weve just witnessed. . . .Finally, dont let your readers get lost in time. Indicate clearly how much earlier the flashback scene took place.(Nancy Kress, Beginnings, Middles Ends. Writers Digest Books, 1999)Flashbacks in the TV Series LostBackstorythats been a key element in the brilliance of Lost. Flashbacks are usually deadlybut the writers have used them here as the best novelists do. We only get a flashback that is (a) interesting in and of itself and (b) pertinent to the present action, so that we dont resent the interruptions.(Orson Scott Card, Introduction: What Is Lost Good For? Getting Lost: Survival, Baggage, and Starting Over in J.J. Abrams Lost, ed. by O.S. Card. BenBella, 2006) Advice on Using FlashbacksWhile the flashback is common in literary presentationsnovels, drama, television programsit need not be restricted to them. Indeed, it is very often used for expository writing. . . .Begin a flashback as close to the conclusion, the effect, as you can. Do not give the plot away in the first paragraph, but end the paragraph with a question, with a comment that the remainder of the theme will pertain to the flashback. In a short theme, your flashback should be short, certainly no longer than about one-fourth of your theme.(John McCall, How to Write Themes and Essays. Petersons, 2003)A rule of thumb: If you feel a need to have a flashback on the first or second page of your story, either your story should begin with the events of the flashback, or you should get us involved with some compelling present characters and events before flashing back.(Orson Scott Card, Elements of Fiction Writing: Characters and Viewpoint. Writers Digest Books, 2010)The Flashback Seq uence in the Movie CasablancaIn the example of Casablanca, the flashback sequence is positioned strategically in the plot to resolve a newly elaborated narrative enigma. The crucial characters of the flashback (Rick, Ilsa, and Sam) have been clearly introduced, and the films plot has raised a question about the relationship of Rick and IlsaWhat happened to them before the film proper has begun?that must be answered before the plot can proceed.(James Morrison, Passport to Hollywood. SUNY Press, 1998) See also: Chronological OrderForeshadowingPlot