So, like, long story, convoluted timeline, what to do?

[sabinetzin]

Poll #6160 Flashing back: Is it alright to?

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 23

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In a story with a non-linear timeline, do you prefer:

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flashbacks in italics
4 (17.4%)

flashbacks in past tense, present in present tense
8 (34.8%)

flashbacks set off by scene breaks
21 (91.3%)

something else you will articulate in the comments
1 (4.3%)

In a story with a non-linear timeline, are you really annoyed by:

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flashbacks in italics
13 (68.4%)

flashbacks in past tense, present in present tense
4 (21.1%)

flashbacks set off by scene breaks
1 (5.3%)

something else you will articulate in the comments
1 (5.3%)

Ticky box?

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You can't see it, but ticky box is making the flashback fingers
9 (40.9%)

Ticky box doesn't mind getting polled, if you follow me
11 (50.0%)

Ticky box remembers the time when...
10 (45.5%)

Mitch Pileggi
12 (54.5%)

Ticky box!
11 (50.0%)

Comments

[torachan]

I don't really have a preference. I think what works best can be different for each story. I find reading large chunks of italics to be difficult, though, so that's my least favorite.

[pyrasaur]

I think it depends on how long the flashbacks are and whether they stand alone well. If it's one short paragraph or a single snappy sentence, I like a scene break and/or italics because they save you the trouble of a big "back when this thing happened" setup. But if you're launching into a whole pile of flashback, then it can support a classier, less visually punchy transition, like a different tense or a "back when this thing happened".