Most Common Writing Errors ✔️

Flashbacks

The problem is, I see flashbacks in the first chapter the most on Wattpad, and 9/10 times, it hurts the pacing. It hurts even more for original stories. At least for fanfics, we tend to know the basics of the characters and world (again, depending on the type of story you're writing), but for originals, it can be harder since it's all new information to us.

On the opposite end of things, there are stories that rely on flashbacks and the entire narrative revolves around jumping between flashbacks. There are stories like that that are executed super well, so remember, it's about execution.

To give you an example of a poorly placed flashback, one time I was reading a fanfic and I was starting to get invested in the two lead characters when suddenly we got thrown back to the past in the very first chapter, and we stayed in the past timeline for a few chapters. I didn't see the point of starting in the present timeline since we didn't get to see it again for a while, and by the time the flashbacks were done several chapters later, I completely forgot where they were (yes, it picked up right where the first chapter left off).

If the story started in the flashback, it would have been much stronger. Or, the flashback could have been saved for later to add mystery and tension so the readers were left guessing why the two leads had the relationship they had. I also felt the flashback was far too long and easily could have been one chapter instead of multiple.

Your first chapter is extremely important. It is the hook that makes your audience want to continue reading the story. Making sure the pacing is on point is imperative to hooking your audience in.

Again, I'm not saying flashbacks are inherently bad or can't be done in a first chapter, but please consider what the flashback is doing and what the flashback is. There are plenty of writers who use flashbacks in their first chapters and they're done well. I'm mostly talking about Wattpad first chapters where it feels like the author is trying to do too much in one chapter.

Another thing is there are many stories that have a vague flashback where it shows part of the flashback but not enough of it to reveal answers (for example, Luke and Kylo's backstory in TLJ; every flashback adds more information, but it isn't until the last one that you get a clear answer). In most cases, I think that technique could work well, even if you introduce it as early as the first chapter. It sets up mystery without derailing the pacing (again, in most cases).

I've done this with my story, Heartless. While it's a little more complicated than that (and it wasn't in the first chapter), I used vague flashbacks for Jimin's past to purposefully leave the reader guessing what happened to him. I use a vague flashback to set up Jimin's backstory, and as time goes on, you learn more until you're horrified and wonder what the actual f*ck is wrong with me for writing his character.

Heartless Jimin 🤝Like Crazy Jimin

#Traumatized

My readers now have PTSD whenever they see white roses or Dumbo. You're welcome <3333

I should start a list of the things I've traumatized for my readers.

- Dumbo

- White Roses

- Park Chaeyoung (Rose)

- Literally any Emperor

- Jikook (Breylin readers still hate me lmao)

Anyway, back on topic.

I think there are many cases where using flashbacks in the first chapter can work incredibly well. Again, just keep in mind the type of story you're writing, what the purpose of the flashback is, and if it really needs to be in the first chapter.