1. Organization/ Transitions/ Flashbacks

2. Step 1: Break down your narrative into major events/ scenes.
Step 2: Organize these events logically.
Step 3: Include everything necessary in each event.
What does my reader need to know to understand later events?
What am I revealing about my characters in each event?
When/ how am I developing the theme/ moral/ purpose of my narrative?
Organization

3. Use transitions not just to highlight the passage of time, but the move to a new location or the start of a new event in the text.
Avoid cliché transitions such as next, then, finally, later, etc.
Experiment with and vary transitions – As soon as, some time later, at dawn/ dusk, moments later, etc.
Transitions

4. Practice with Transitions
I heard the noise downstairs and knew instantly what it was. Running down the stairs, I saw the dog’s tail disappear around a corner. I gasped when I saw my favorite shoe laying on the floor with no partner. I wore them and left them there. I sprinted around the corner after the dog, but it was too late. I woke up, went to the mall, and bought a new pair. He chewed that pair as well.
Practice with Transitions

5. Read the article by Nancy Kress- highlight, underline, circle, take notes on
What should be included in flash backs.
What their purpose is.
How effectively to include one in your narrative.
Flashbacks

6. Flashbacks – What should the content be?
Scenes from protagonist’s childhood – murder, family argument, internal conflict
A scene that happened shortly before the story began.
A scene that occurred only moments before – but in a different setting.
Flashbacks – What should the content be?

7. Flashbacks – What’s the purpose?
Reveal a character’s motivations.
Fill in events that explain how the action got to the current state.
Present crucial information
Flashbacks – What’s the purpose?

8. Flashbacks – How to do effectively?
Include after a strong scene – if your reader doesn’t care about your character yet, they wont’ care about your flash back.
Use transitions to indicate change in time and space – more than just showing a move to the past.
Use verb tenses – start in past perfect, switch to simple past, end in past perfect.
Flashbacks – How to do effectively?

9. She peeked over the diving board down the twenty feet to the water
She peeked over the diving board down the twenty feet to the water. She moved her gaze to the bleachers full of excited and expecting fans. She took a deep breath.
Practice