When we write about what happened in our past, we’re tempted to be bound by what actually occurred. But our memories are not recordings that can be verified. Memory is a construct of the imagination. And retrospective narrators zero in on certain memories because they have special pointed meaning for them in the present.
Memory is altered by the life we’ve lived since. By the life your character has lived since. What a character tells from memory is altered by the present.
In this episode, you’ll get a guide to writing retrospective narrators. We’ll talk about the two voices to bring to your retrospective story, and four questions to help you shape your character’s depth of view.
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Episode at a glance:
[02:33] The biggest challenge with writing retrospective narrators is integrating reflection, insight and gained wisdom.
Finding the right balance between reflection and action is essential to keep the story moving, while also allowing for meaningful insights that build over the course of the story. It all boils down to when and how your narrator chooses to tell the story.
[03:47] 4 Questions to help you nail the perspective and different depths of view available to your retrospective narrator.
[07:58] There are two voices in every retrospective story; the voice of innocence and the voice of experience. Learn how to balance both these voices.
[09:40] Hear two examples of stories that balance the innocent voice with the experiences voice. I’ll extract both voices out of these examples to show you how both voices play an essential part in retrospective stories.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood
The Palace Thief: Stories by Ethan Canin
Fearless Confessions: A Writer’s Guide To Memoir by Sue Silverman
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