Fiction Quote by Julie Checkoway
““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
Choosing a narrative start point hinges on how the past informs the present and drives the story’s central conflict.
In simple terms: Pick a start that links past events to the story’s main thrust.
Key Takeaway
Align opening material with the story’s core arc.
Themes
story structure
temporal framing
character development
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
strategic
analytical
When to use this quote
- novel planning
- screenwriting
- game storytelling
- historical fiction
Key Concepts
narrative causality
flashback strategy
Questions to Reflect On
- What past event is essential to the protagonist’s journey?
- How does the opening scene set expectations for the story’s resolution?
A Different Perspective
If the past isn’t crucial, flashbacks can feel forced and confuse readers.
