How Are Flashbacks Used in Fiction?

Flashbacks are used in fiction to explain why, for example, a character dislikes antique typewriters. The mention or tap of a key digs-up a different personality for him/her. The mystery of why he/she can't remember what or how it happens unfolds the flashback. Look-over the following.

1. Sudden change of place or time.

2. The character goes to a different place from the original.

3. He or she is returned to the first place.

A flashback reminds a character of something, bad or good, from the past. The sight of an antique typewriter, for this character, swirls around memories of murder. The flashback is the means for readers to understand the character's plight.

1. A flashback is stuffed with lots of information. 

2. The tapping of keys plops him or her back to the present.

3. The character's past is exposed.

Flashbacks keeps fiction interesting when mixed well. It should be long enough to provide necessary information, but not bore readers. What do bored readers do? Move on to next author. 

1. Be clear on what you want to share.

2. An outline may help.

3. Try more than one possible scene flashback before deciding.

A tale begins with a dramatic scene. It explodes in the middle of a problem. It'll grab the reader's attention. Still, they'll want to know what triggered the boil-over. What derailed the relationship, friendship? Circumstances? Characters responsible?

1. A flashback is needed.

2. It uncovers facts.

3. Also, it leads to where the story opens.

Sometimes, a sentence is all it takes to stir-awake the flashback. The situation may require a paragraph or two. The story's pace must not be slowed by a flashback. How is a flashback set into motion? 

1. The sound of music playing.

2. A fall or hand-shake.

3. A character's eyes recognizing an antique typewriter.

A flashback is a transition from the current place to a different one, and a return to the original place. It isn't a long process. The flashback is packed full of information to allow readers to understand a character. 

1. Outline the flashback.

2. Test more than one flashback for "the" scene.

3. The flashback's job is to discover and inform.

Why Start a Business?

Why start a business? It's a venture to reward you and your family for generations to come. The idea may have been tossed back-and-forth through your mind for years. For one reason or another, you never acted on the idea. The key ingredients to a successful business are the following. 

- - Passion.

- - Courage.

- - Discipline.

Swirl yourself around passion, because you'll encounter nay-sayers as well as obstacles. Fear will try to find a home, but refuse to allow it. Move pass fear. Your commitment should be bigger than fear. Place your mind on the businesses goal.

- - Take a deep breath.

- - Keep your focus.

- - Be attentive of business funds.

It takes courage to embark on a goal like starting a new business. There will be days when bills out-weigh your product or service sold. It may require that you dig-up additional money to take care of bills.

- - A strain is put on relationships.

- - Do you quit?

- - Or, do you find an option to continue?

Discipline is doing research to see what competition awaits you in the chosen industry. Who are you targeting in the market-place? What need is your business addressing?

- - You're a business owner day-in and day-out.

- - There's the possibility you'll talk to a client(s) after 5 p.m.

- - You'll continually work odd hours.

Start a business with passion, courage and discipline to possibly leave as a legacy. High and lows tap on every business door. The key is how you handle them. This is an exciting time, but don't forget the following.

- - Learn from mistakes.

- - Deal with stress through exercise.

- - Stay on point with goals.

Blank Mind

A blank mind stomps-out creativity, and will find any thread of anxiety you have about writing. The anxiety then balloons, you feel worse and creativity falls asleep. You may not have been aware of it. The situation balloons more as the fact that a dead-line looms. What can you do to spark writing ideas?

- - Take a deep breath.

- - Don't force creativity.

- - Type any word.

The act of writing will stimulate your creativity. In other words, "be writing". You can, even, pick a word from a project-in-progress. Or, select a word from the project lurking in the crevice of your mind. The word may be one you identify with or not.

- - Write the next word playing around your mind. 

- - Try the word, writing project.

- - Make note of writing ideas as they occur.

Are you having trouble deciding on a word? Work with more than one word. The goal is to ignite writing ideas. The act of jotting down a word(s) is called free writing. Its job is to stir-awake your creativity. Free writing stuffs a blank mind with writing ideas. The following are words to consider. 

- - Summer day.

- - Going green.

- - Tumbling up.

Perhaps, you prefer meaningful words. Use the words you connect more with. It's possible an essay about a college moment or Summer session holds interest for you. An article on beach attire is promising. One last idea is on a specific day... How will you end the sentence?

- - Thunder boomed before it happened.

- - The front door flew open

- - it was dubbed "Summer Crime."

Many businesses, still, can use tips on "going green." Research offers the helpful information needed to write articles. 

- - Start small. 

- - Announce the change in meetings.

- - Involve employees each step of the way.

Finally, there's no excuse for writers to have a blank mind. Use this post to curtail it before your creativity is zapped.