A related question is where in time to begin. Should you…
““A related question is where in time to begin. Should you begin far back in a character's past and move forward, or should you begin in the present and make use of flashbacks only where necessary? ... If the material with which you want to open the story is from the character's deep past, then there has to be an important relationship between what has happened in the past and what is about to happen. In other words, is the material with which you open the story an arrow pointing toward the unified effect?””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Choosing when to start a story—past or present—affects structure; flashbacks should serve a purpose linking past and future.
In simple terms: Story start point shapes narrative flow.
Key Takeaway
Start where it serves the story.
Themes
narrative structure
timeline
character development
flashbacks
storytelling
Mood
analytical
creative
Type
Fiction:1
Fiction-novel:1
Fiction writing:1
Move forward:0
On-fiction:0
Time:1
Past Forward:0
Begin Present:1
Character Past:0
Flashbacks Necessary:1
Forward Begin:0
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- workshop
- creative planning
Key Concepts
literary theory
psychology
editing
Questions to Reflect On
- How does timing affect tension?
- When is a flashback essential?
A Different Perspective
Overuse of flashbacks can confuse readers.