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[bookspinesandspectacles]

Hi I really love all the writing tips you give! I'm a fanfic writer myself and your tips have helped me out so much with writing <3 I was wondering if you had any tips on how to write any kind of flashback scenes? Like ways to lead up to it or where a character is like having a headache and then BOOM they get a glimpse of a flashback or something. I struggle so much with this ;-;

Ideas for Flashback Scenes

Hey there! Thanks for the question! Since flashbacks are about reminding a character of a memory they haven't been thinking about, here are some ideas for triggering a memory!

Hinge on an Object/Person

Coming across an object or person from the past can call a dusty memory to the forefront. 

Maybe your character is going through the attic or clearing out an unused shelf. It can be a friend returning an item that they’d lost. 

Dreaming/Semi-Dreaming

A dream is a product of taking snippets from our actual life and putting them together in weird ways. A character may dream about something in the past, wake up, then recall the memory more clearly, using the dream snippet as the starting point.

Similarly, they may dream briefly as they doze off, then wake up to have a “fuller” flashback. 

Deja-Vu

A deja-vu would be most natural if the memory being recalled is set somewhere the character goes to on a day-to-day basis (like the supermarket or the cobbled walkway in front of their house, etc.)

A repeated action (cashier checking out items), a familiar scenery, or a familiar sound will trigger a similar memory, maybe even set in the same location. 

Mid-Conversation/Trigger Words 

Certain words or voices can be triggers of memory. You can have a moment where the character pauses for a moment to think, “wait, I think I’ve heard that phrase somewhere…” 

The other character asking them a question can also trigger a memory in the process of trying to come up with an answer. 

Trigger words can appear on road signs or on book covers, etc. You can try describing the font/color of the word and link it to a snapshot of the memory being recalled. 

The "Aha!" Moment 

This is where the character is doing essentially nothing (like standing in the shower, staring off into the ceiling, etc). It can even be when they’ve lied down trying to sleep, when something suddenly just jumps into mind. 

Provide some context through internal dialogue, where the character is either thinking about something that they’re worried about or an event that left an impression on them that day, etc. 

Being in Danger/Near-Death Moments

This is similar to how a character’s life plays out before their eyes right before they die. 

When a character is in danger, their brains will start firing in ways that it usually wouldn’t, triggering a flashback. 

A flashback can be induced by shock, a loud bang, explosion, etc. when the character goes momentarily numb. 

Flashback Under Intoxication

If your character is drunk, on drugs, or taking medication that impacts their cognitive abilities, they may start triggering memories that have long been buried. 

However, the flashback scene in this case will have some unusual aspects, and will be prone to being warped or even fabricated in some parts.

[bookspinesandspectacles]

[research life]

Another afternoon spent in the library diligently reading + taking notes 🤍📖🫶🏻

📚: Currently reading Ink Blood Sister Scribe for my April book club, and it’s getting really good🥹🌙

[bookspinesandspectacles]

new reading corner 💛🤍🌼🌸

[bookspinesandspectacles]

𓆩🖤𓆪 Dark Fantasy How-To

Fantasy has an extremely broad spectrum, so what does it mean for a fantasy book to be DARK? There are different flavors of dark fantasy, each with a different tone. However, all three dark fantasy subdivision are fall into the same descriptor for story prospects: 

Bright means the circumstances denote an almost idyllic way of life and a world nearly free of dire or oppressive circumstances.

Neutral means the circumstances are neither idyllic nor hellish.

Dark means the circumstances denote an often hellish way of life and a world wracked with dire or oppressive circumstances.

So yeah, in dark fantasy, the characters suffer. Really, really suffer. 

Nobledark fantasy means the circumstances of the world or story are easily changeable but they denote an often hellish way of life and a world wracked with dire or oppressive circumstances. ---- Tone: Noble means the circumstances of the world or story is/are easily changeable. Neutral Dark fantasy means the circumstances are neither easy nor difficult to change and they denote an often hellish way of life and a world wracked with dire or oppressive circumstances. --- Tone: Neutral means the circumstances are neither easy nor difficult to change. Grimdark fantasy means the circumstances are difficult to change and they denote an often hellish way of life and a world wracked with dire or oppressive circumstances. --- Tone: Grim means the circumstances are difficult to change.

Dark Fantasy Elements:

Characters

Characters are usually standard fantasy fare—kings and queens, knights, rogues, priests, farm boys, and the like—but they're often played as morally gray and, in some cases, outright evil.

They also often come with trappings such as ragged or bloodstained clothes, disheveled appearances, gaunt or malnourished physiques (with well-fed and possibly overweight, wealthy characters for contrast), and scars or other physical appearance changes that denote a rough life or past sickness (such as pockmarks).

Setting

Settings are likewise standard fantasy villages, castles, and such, but are frequently in disrepair if not ruins.

The area is often poor or destitute. Crime is often high, and if not rampant and open, then rampant and an open secret with the tacit approval of whoever’s in charge.

Tone & Mood

The tone in which the story is told usually has a dry, sardonic, cynical, or nihilistic effect (or a combination of these), and the mood is often sinister, despairing, melancholic, or otherwise negatively emotionally oriented.

Themes

Themes often include war, poverty, grief, hardship, abuse, violence, mental illness, racism (most often between fantasy species), blood feuds, and similar.

Point of View

The point of view is often third-person limited, but there's no rule about this.

Conflict

Conflicts are often aligned with the theme

There is a sense of futility or despair surrounding them that may not be easily overcome.

Plot Tropes

Plots often include a lot of characters as usual for fantasy.

They also tend to have a lot of moving parts, subplots, or frequent dips in morale—often with the bad(der) guys winning far more than they lose, and generally including devices that would feel very out of place.

If you like my blog, buy me a coffee☕ and find me on instagram! 📸

🖱️References

https://www.campfirewriting.com/learn/dark-fantasy

[bookspinesandspectacles]

finding new coffee shops to work in!

goals: finish case study, apply to some internships

🎧 listening: coffee - bts 🎶

[bookspinesandspectacles]

9.3.24

Life and work are so so busy but I wanted to give at least a bit of an update!!

This second rotation of my PhD programme is so, radically better! My supervisor is amazing and I'm loving the science very much, it's really exciting and the rhythm of the work suits me so well! It's changed my whole attitude towards my PhD which is a huge relief. Things feel brighter. Meanwhile I'm settling into my city and starting to build up a social life, which was hard at first! So I guess if you're having a hard time making a new start - new job, new city, new degree - you can take this as a sign to take heart, because this came around the corner and took my by surprise. ❤️📖🌸🔬

35/100 days of productivity

[bookspinesandspectacles]

so many words to read and never enough time

goals: finish the first section of this week's seminar book, revise my capstone annotated bibliography

🎧 listening: flesh and bone - the killers 🎶

[bookspinesandspectacles]

i do like a good little note taking session in a cute café ☕️

[bookspinesandspectacles]

It's Okay Your Writing Isn't Like So-and-So's

Here's five reasons why:

1. Published work has teams of people behind it

Traditional (and even lots of indie) published work has not just the writer’s drafts behind it, but drafts that have been through professional editors, agents, beta readers, etc. etc. etc. They say writing is a solitary career, but there are tons of people behind every published work to make it better.

2. Every style is different and valid

Yours might not look exactly like other people’s work. That’s because everyone has their own voice in writing, and that’s what makes every writer individual, and every story worth reading.

3. You’re the only person who can write your story

Style, your ideas, your characters, and every other detail in your story is built off your all your little life experiences and interests. It will look different for every person even if you all tried writing the same idea.

4. Everyone has different skills and experience levels

You may be really great at dialogue, while someone else may be really good at action. Everyone has different skills and areas they’re better or worse at. It’s okay.

5. People will love it anyway

You’ve probably heard of the cake saying? Someone else makes a beautiful cake, you make a just okay cake, but the person that comes along to eat them is just excited there’s two cakes.

                People just want more content. They will read the same content over and over again. They will love it anyway.

Anyone have anything to add?

[bookspinesandspectacles]

In the Sun, I feel as one.

ig credit: motngoinhadalat.

[bookspinesandspectacles]

8.3.24 | golden hour in my favorite cafe getting some writing done 🌞

[bookspinesandspectacles]

✧ 10.03.24 ✧

I always love exploring new bookstores, even though the temptation to buy everything is very hard to avoid. This store is the real life version of the bookstore x cafe x flowershop trope, I definitely recommend 🤍

[bookspinesandspectacles]

guess who (finally) finished a storm of swords, part one 🖤 being back in this world truly was an experience unlike any other. the world that george r r martin has crafted here is unrivalled — it really is one of the greatest fantasy epics <3 i cannot wait to read part two later this month!!

for now, i'll be starting my next book for my classic tomes challenge 👀 very excited

[bookspinesandspectacles]

February 24th, 2024

On Monday the new term starts. It's the last part of my formation as a teacher (first you go to university and then you have to do two practical years) and it will be hard. I'm preparing for this last chapter and I am constantly shifting between worried and confident it'll be over before I even realise it.

At least I'm less stressed since the mistake I made turned out to be someone else's fault and no longer is an issue. Feeling very relieved!

[bookspinesandspectacles]

coffee & croissant are the perfect reading snacks ♡

[bookspinesandspectacles]

when the academic article is so good it has you giggling and kicking your feet

[bookspinesandspectacles]

studying at my parent's home and admiring the early blossom from our plum tree! the bees aren't out yet to pollinate the flowers tho 😓