1. Introduction
2. Understanding Flashbacks – Windows into the Past
3. Flash-Forwards – Glimpses of What’s to Come
4. Mastering the Mechanics – Technical Craft and Common Pitfalls
5. Writing Exercise: The Time-Shift Challenge
6. Conclusion
7. Additional Resources

Introduction

That moment where a seemingly nobody flashbacks or flash-forwards to the moment that will give the reader the buy in. Flashbacks and flash-forwards are moments that could be shocking, revelatory, or explanatory. They can build or relieve tension. These powerful tools are something that many writers instinctively use, but sometimes we miss the mark as we lose the readers in the non-linear story. So, what if the most powerful part of your story isn’t happening in the present?

We’ve talked about nonlinear narratives before, but the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards is like focusing on a subcomponent. You can have a linear story with flashbacks and flash-forwards. That will depend on how you present your nonlinear details. Using flashbacks and flash-forwards will allow you to control pacing, reveal character depth, and create emotional impact.

Today we’ll work on building a strong understanding of flashbacks, flash-forwards, and the common pitfalls you might run into with these tools.

Understanding Flashbacks – Windows into the Past

Flashback is a term that many outside of writing understand because of film. This gives writers a leg up in using this tool as most readers will recognize it in your story. How you distinguish them will be up to you, and this will be something we talk about in the common mistakes section.

What Makes a Flashback Work

Jerome Stern, in Making Shapely Fiction, defines flashback as “a way of telling stories that happened before the story you are telling.”

The flashback is an instinctive concept for people to fall into their own pasts as something triggers that memory. Think about the stories you’ve read and films you’ve watched. There’s always a trigger that sends the character back to their past, revealing why that trigger is important. As you create your story and characters you’ll find those moments that show it’s time for some information from the past. The question becomes, how much information to give the reader. There are a few different types of flashback that a writer can choose from.

The brief memory/exposition is an approach that pulls just enough information from the past to give readers information and justify the characters’ next actions. These flashbacks can range from inline memories that take one or two sentences to small framed paragraphs revealing relevant information. These are great for important information from the past, but that doesn’t need a lot of explaining. Think of these as universal memories. The character remembers another person as a bully, or remembers that they used to have a crush on this person. People can understand a lot from a quick blip of memory based off their own past. The brief memory/exposition flashback acts as a quick nod to your reader to say, hey, this is important, without overwhelming them with a lot of information.

The next type of flashback is the extended flashback. These use a longer flashback to give readers more information and to create a relationship with the past. The extended flashback can range from a page to a majority of the book. There are books that are written with flashbacks as the core of the narrative. The Girl in the Letter by Emily Gunnis is a great example of this, and an example of the extended flashback working well.

Flashbacks is a tool that many writers use, but there’s a difference between using it well versus not. What makes the difference? The purpose behind the flashback.

The Purpose-Driven Flashback

Let’s start off this section with a clear rule you want to follow for your writing.

Flashbacks should have a purpose.

The reader’s mind is constantly watching for purpose, even if they don’t realize it. They trust that every moment you’ve included in the story has a purpose. It builds something in the elements of fiction that helps make the story better. So, when you insert a flashback just because it was a fun memory, and has no application to the story of the present, your readers feel like their time has been wasted. While some readers may dismiss this as a confusing flashback, it can cause many to close their books right there. The purpose-driven flashback has a focus on at least:

• Revealing character motivation: Why is the character acting the way they are in the current story?
• Explaining current conflicts: How did we get here?
• Showing character growth through contrast: Who was the character before their current moment?
• Providing crucial backstory that impacts present action: How does this information flip the narrative and change your view of the story?

If your flashback isn’t answering any of these questions, then it might be time to re-evaluate its place in your story. It’s okay to realize that part of your story doesn’t belong. Excess information can always be kept in a separate file for future releases for superfans. Sometimes you also just have to write it out so you know, but the readers might not need to know. The goal of the purposeful flashback is to give your readers enough information without falling in the infamous info dump.

Flash-Forwards – Glimpses of What’s to Come

Flash-forwards are scenes that often appear in stories that begin in medias res. Though, they can be used anywhere in the story that they make the most sense. As with flashbacks, it’s important to use these only when appropriate and necessary so you don’t overwhelm the reader.

The Art of the Flash-Forward

Flash-forwards are scenes that jump ahead to show future events. Unlike foreshadowing, which hints at what’s to come through symbolism or subtle clues, flash-forwards explicitly reveal actual moments from later in your story’s timeline. They also differ from prophecy, which presents future events as predictions that may or may not happen. While less common than flashbacks, flash-forwards are equally powerful when used correctly. They’re your chance to hook readers by showing them the destination before revealing the journey that gets there.

Strategic Uses of Flash-Forwards

Flash-forwards create dramatic irony and build tension in ways that linear storytelling simply can’t match. When you show readers glimpses of future events, you make them acutely aware of what’s coming while your characters remain in the dark. This creates a delicious tension that propels your narrative forward. Flash-forwards also work brilliantly as framing devices, establishing the stakes before diving into the story that leads there.

When readers know the destination, whether it’s a character’s death, a relationship’s end, or a city’s destruction, they become more invested in understanding how these events unfold. You’re transforming reading from a passive experience into an active investigation, with readers constantly searching for clues and connections.

The Spoiler Paradox

The biggest challenge with flash-forwards is revealing enough to intrigue without spoiling your story’s surprises. How do you give readers a taste of what’s coming without ruining the meal? The key is showing consequences without revealing their causes. You might show a character in tears without explaining the loss, or depict a celebration without revealing the victory. Focus on emotional impact rather than plot mechanics.

Readers can see a character’s grief-stricken face or triumphant smile while remaining ignorant of the specific events that triggered these emotions. Ambiguous imagery works particularly well—present scenes that gain meaning only when readers encounter them again in their proper chronological context. The goal is providing enough emotional resonance to hook readers while maintaining enough mystery to preserve your story’s revelatory power.

Genre Considerations

Flash-forwards work differently across genres, and understanding these differences helps ensure they enhance rather than disrupt your story’s natural rhythm. Literary fiction often employs subtle, almost impressionistic flash-forwards that focus on character development and thematic resonance rather than plot revelation.

Science fiction and fantasy can incorporate time travel or prophetic visions naturally into their world-building, making flash-forwards feel organic rather than forced. Thrillers frequently use flash-forwards to establish ticking-clock scenarios, showing the catastrophic endpoint that protagonists must prevent. Mystery writers might reveal the crime’s aftermath before unveiling the investigation, while romance authors could show a couple’s wedding day before exploring their courtship.

The key is making sure your flash-forwards feel natural within your chosen genre’s expectations and conventions.

Mastering the Mechanics – Technical Craft and Common Pitfalls

Seamless Integration Techniques

The difference between a jarring flashback and a smooth one often comes down to your technical execution. Start with clear verb tense shifts, if your present story uses past tense, shift to past perfect (“had been,” “had done”) for flashbacks, then return to simple past when you’re back in the present. For flash-forwards, present tense can work well to create immediacy.

Transitional phrases are your best friends here: “She remembered when…” or “Three years ago…” for flashbacks, and “In six months, she would discover…” for flash-forwards. Don’t underestimate formatting choices either—italics, line breaks, or even different fonts can signal time shifts to readers.

The key is consistency. Pick your method and stick with it throughout your story. Most importantly, maintain your narrative voice across all time periods. Your character’s voice might mature or change, but your authorial voice should remain consistent so readers never feel lost.

Avoiding the “Flashback Trap”

Writers often fall into what I call the “flashback trap”—using non-linear scenes to avoid writing challenging present-moment action. If you find yourself constantly jumping to the past when things get difficult in the present, you might be using flashbacks as a crutch.

Another common mistake is overwhelming readers with too many time shifts. Just because you can jump around doesn’t mean you should. Each time shift should serve a specific purpose, not just add complexity for its own sake. Confusion about when events occur is a story killer. If readers can’t follow your timeline, they’ll stop trying to follow your story.

Finally, resist the urge to use flashbacks as lazy exposition. “Let me tell you about my tragic backstory” flashbacks feel forced and interrupt the natural flow of your narrative. Instead, weave your character’s history into the present action through dialogue, behavior, and carefully chosen memories triggered by current events.

Pacing and Rhythm

Non-linear elements dramatically affect your story’s pacing, and understanding this impact is crucial for maintaining reader engagement. Quick glimpses work best for emotional beats or to provide essential information without disrupting momentum. Think of them as seasoning, a little goes a long way.

Extended scenes, on the other hand, should be reserved for major revelations or significant character development that requires full exploration. When balancing past, present, and future elements, consider your story’s overall rhythm. Too many flashbacks can make your present story feel static, while too many flash-forwards can rob your story of surprise.

The key is maintaining forward momentum even when jumping through time. Each non-linear scene should either propel the present story forward or deepen our understanding of current events in ways that make the present more compelling.

Reader Orientation

Keeping readers grounded during time shifts requires deliberate strategies and careful attention to detail. Clear time markers are essential. “Ten years earlier,” “Next Tuesday,” or “The day she turned eighteen” give readers immediate context.

Maintain consistent character details across time periods, but show how they’ve changed. A character might have the same laugh but different confidence levels, or the same nervous habit but new reasons for anxiety. Logical placement within your narrative structure means considering not just when to include non-linear scenes, but where they’ll have maximum impact.

A flashback works better after readers are invested in the character, while a flash-forward might work best as a hook at the beginning. Most importantly, maintain emotional continuity even when chronology shifts. The feeling should flow naturally from present to past to future, creating a cohesive emotional experience even when the timeline isn’t linear.

Remember, readers can handle complexity, but they need to feel secure in your hands as their guide through time.

Writing Exercise: The Time-Shift Challenge

Setup (2 minutes): Choose a simple present-moment scene: a character receiving news, having an argument, or making a decision. Write 2-3 sentences establishing this scene.

The Exercise (10 minutes):

Round 1 (3 minutes): Write a brief flashback triggered by something in your present scene. Use a memory from your character’s past that explains why this present moment matters to them. Practice smooth transitions—start with a trigger, shift to the past perfect tense, then return to the present.

Round 2 (3 minutes): Now write a flash-forward from the same present scene. Show a consequence or outcome without revealing how it happens. Focus on emotional impact rather than plot details. Use present tense to create immediacy.

Round 3 (4 minutes): Combine both techniques. Start with your present scene, include your flashback, return to present, then add your flash-forward. Focus on maintaining narrative flow and emotional continuity across all three time periods.

Reflection (3 minutes): Read through your exercise. Ask yourself:

• Does each time shift serve a clear purpose?
• Can you follow the timeline easily?
• Do the transitions feel smooth or jarring?
• Which technique felt most natural for your story?

Bonus Challenge: Try the same exercise but switch the order—start with the flash-forward, then present, then flashback. Notice how the sequence affects the emotional impact and reader engagement.

Conclusion

Mastering flashbacks and flash-forwards isn’t about showing off your technical skills, it’s about serving your story and your readers. These powerful tools can transform a good story into an unforgettable one, but only when used with purpose and precision.

Remember that every time shift should earn its place in your narrative, whether it’s revealing crucial character motivation, building tension, or providing that perfect emotional punch. The key is knowing when to use them, how to execute them smoothly, and, most importantly, when to resist the temptation to complicate your story unnecessarily.

Your readers trust you to guide them through time, so make every jump count. When done right, flashbacks and flash-forwards don’t just tell your story, they make it impossible to put down.

Additional Resources

Articles

• Flashbacks and Flashforwards by Patricia C. Wrede

Videos

• Flashback MISTAKES New Writers Make Avoid These Cliches (Abbie Emmons)
• Flashback vs Flashforward: The Ultimate Showdown in Literature (Books and Literature)

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