by Kate Keeley
Member since:
March 4, 2007

Writing story transitions

August 31, 2007 10:39 AM EDT
views: 18 | rating: 10/10 (3 votes) | comments: 4

Hello All,

I'm working on a story that uses flashbacks. In The Snows of Kilimanjaro, Hemingway uses a couple of different techniques. He breaks the page with asterisks, uses italics, and starts the flashback with the phrase, "Now in my mind."

Question: Do you think all those techniques are necessary? Or can a person just use the white space and italics to indicate the transition?

Here is a link to an excerpt from Hemingway's story:

 http://www.ereader.com/product/book/excerpt/6335?book=The_Snows_of_Kilimanjaro_and_Other_Stories

Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

link to this page
Bookmark this post:
Facebook
Twitter
Delicious
Buzz
More

Comments: 4

Karla E. Aug 31, 2007, 10:47am EDT
Most writers don't use those devices all the time. I love "Snows of Kilimanjaro" but it's been a while since I read it. I would suggest looking at Alice Munro's "Save the Reaper" which has a lot of flashbacks and is seamless in its transition and timing.
Matt O. Jan 8, 2008, 10:07am EST
I'll throw flashbacks in as part of a conversation. An examplle, two brothers siting atop their roof, drinking beers and one relates the flashback in a story as part of their conversation.
I lead in with a sentence letting the reader know that what follows is a memory. Such as, taking my last full breaths of free air I reflect back on the events that led to my demise.
I don't use flashbacks very often and when I do they most often turn up in conversations .

Join the Conversation
Chime in! Become a Gather member to comment.
Already a member? Sign in
top
 
Gather | Friends | Groups | Share
About Gather | Engagement Marketing | Make New Friends | Gather Points | Advertise on Gather | Gather Press | Privacy | Terms of Service | Community Guidelines
Books | Celebs | Entertainment | Family | Food | Health | Moms | Money | News | Politics | Spirituality | Sports | Travel | Writing
Version 16865, "Oz"; Copyright © 2009 Gather Inc. All rights reserved.