Genuine Question @ My Followers/ppl Who Look At My Blog (linked In Desc)

genuine question @ my followers/ppl who look at my blog (linked in desc)

is the formatting hard to understand? i was updating yesterday and I wondered if it was hard to navigate? lmk cause i will def fix it

I wrote a fic about it thanks for the inspo

here you go

Thinking about the trope where person A is describing their crush very vaguely because in reality it’s person B, meanwhile person B is sad and jealous about this mystery person because they also like A and have no idea that it’s them with Steven and the reader.

We’re like “He’s very polite and smart. Hes also really dreamy and has the prettiest eyes.” and poor Steven’s there saying “He sounds great.” while trying not to pout because he thinks that he can’t compete, meanwhile it’s literally just him homeboy we are describing you. Kiss us. Right now.

writing tips - flashbacks

welcome back yall i have not written this in a lukewarm minute

flashbacks! good shit.

Flashbacks are great for adding information or reminding the reader of a past action without making it a whole deal. but flashbacks are kinda specific as far as when they should come up.

let's start with the benefits of using flashbacks:

Character development.

flashbacks can reveal hidden motives, memories, inciting incidents, and alternative perspectives to the main plotline and the characters. It might contextualize disputes or hard feelings between characters.

2. mystery!

Flashbacks are still from the character who's flashbacking's perspective. If you add the flashback, it might add another level of mystery to the conflict or a clue to the end result.

3. context

You don't always want to write a massive exposition paragraph describing all the context for everything, so little scenes dropped here and there will help clear the waters without mucking up the pace.

Now that that has been summarized, let's focus more on when they should be used.

Flashbacks make sense when the content of the flashback relates to the current scene's actions. If the character flashbacks to their mother's fiftieth birthday during a business meeting, it doesn't make sense. But, if it's their mother's sixtieth birthday and they are reminiscing, it makes more sense.

There needs to be a sense of continuity. Trauma-based flashbacks have a trigger - a sound, smell, texture, phrase, etc that incites the flashback. if there is no trigger, it makes no sense.

When a traumatic flashback is triggered, an emotional reaction is usually attached. traumatic flashbacks are jarring, uncomfortable, and stressful for the victim. Afterwards, a panic attack or dissociative period is common.

if the flashback is not connected to a traumatic response, the reason for the flashback needs to be clear.

pause: i'm gonna refer to flashbacks as 'episodes' because typing 'flashbacks' every two words is reviving my carpal tunnel.

unpause!

The episode has the desired effect when the connection between past/present is clear and the 'discovery' is important. Maybe it's an elaboration of a previously established memory that reveals a secret only after a specific event.

Flashbacks are great, but overdone and they get frustrating and old. Find a format that you only apply to the episodes will help. Italics are a common favorite, parentheses, a specific divider between main text and the flashback....something that lets the reader know what's going on.

Nothing is worse that trying to figure out what century you're reading when every other page is a flashback episode. Make it easy on your readers!!!

If the thing you're flashing to is so important that the flashback takes multiple pages, find a different way to convey the information. they're called 'flash' backs, not 'separate plot point specifically for this moment' backs. what I'm trying to say is - short and sweet.

Episodes are meant to be enlightening, not as confusing as everything else.

Summary - flashbacks are a great tool when used sparingly and intentionally, I love to see them!

xox

faq questions about my writing

What do you do to get in the writing mood?

I draft and outline while listening to playlists, but productive ASMR while I write (yeah shut up about it). I like music but I get distracted by the lyrics. Pin boards, writer tiktok, etc also are great mood-setters.

How much do you write a day?

sometimes none lmao. I try to write a little every day, but I'm busy and sometimes hella tired from work, so I usually pick two days of the week and cram it in then.

Favorite thing to write?

Fluff. Or the worst angst of your life. not really a middle ground. Smut not really, just not my speed. I like to read it though haha

What fic inspired you to write?

What's the Use of Wonderin' on AO3. It's a javier pena fic and I highly recommend. Also just the fanfic atmosphere in general; sharing stuff I care about with other people who care about the same thing in a way that's important to me.

i have literally not thought about that site in YEARS what was ur username??? or did u deactivate

wattpad this, ao3 that, what about my girl quotev? 😔