When was the last time you had one?

A flashback is a literary device used to tell a descriptive memory in non-chronological order. In most stories, the flashback narrates a significant insight to a character(s) and or background information. 

In The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, Eddie’s flashbacks gave him pieces to the puzzle for his lesson. The Blue Man tells Eddie the story of how he died. Eddie never knew the Blue Man’s perspective about the little baseball game and once the story was told, it made sense to him. 

Flashbacks are valuable. I’ve noticed that flashbacks interrupt what you’re doing. Pretend that you’re at the park with your best friend. You guys have a typical conversation, enjoying each other’s company. One of you will say, “That reminds me of..." and "Do you remember when..." They are followed by flashbacks to what occurred at some point in the past. Flashbacks can be good, bringing you happiness, and bad, bringing you unhappy memories about something that you don’t want to think about.