Topic: timeline continuity problems

My book alternates back and forth between two characters, chapter by chapter (i.e., one chapter for Joseph, one chapter for Apollo, then another for Joseph, etc.). I'm having increasing difficulty keeping to a linear timeline as I go back and forth. For example, if a week elapses in Joseph's chapter, and then I return to Apollo, I've generally picked up Apollo's story as if that same week had already elapsed for him too. For most of the book, I've managed to make that linear timeline work. However, I'm now running into the problem that a lot is happening in a short period of time, and I need things to run concurrently for the two characters (i.e., a week elapses for Apollo, then I switch to Joseph and tell his story for that same week), otherwise I have to tell too much of the story as flashbacks. I could switch "scenes" back and forth, featuring both characters going back and forth in the same chapter, although that would break away from the storytelling approach I've been following for 25+ chapters, a pattern I think the reader would expect to continue.

I was wondering what other authors do when one scene (or chapter) gets far ahead of another in time. Do you always maintain a linear timeline as you move forward from scene to scene, or do you allow successive scenes to run concurrently in time?

I hope the question makes sense.

Thanks.
Dirk

Quote Post 1

Re: timeline continuity problems

Good question, Dirk. My stories tend to run a linear timeline: start to finish. I am not a big fan of flashbacks, but they can be done in a manner that that makes it clear to the reader what just happened.

In your case, perhaps some sort of date/time header (a la WEB Griffin) mgiht be devised for those chapters with alternate scenes taking place simultaneously or nearly so.

~Tom

Quote Post 2

Re: timeline continuity problems

Hi Dirk, my novel also follows a linear timeline, with some chapters cutting back to earth or other characters in the novel, other than my main character. I have also done a few of the more intense chapters that I'd cut to multiple characters in the same chapter. I feel if what you are writing about pertains to both characters on a given day then go ahead and do a chapter going from one character to another.

Karen

Quote Post 3

Re: timeline continuity problems

As long as the transition shows the timeline for each chapter as you switch back and forth, I don't see that it would make any difference as far as the reader following the story or timeline. If the chapters are from different character POV, why would anybody expect them to be on the exact same timeline? If you follow the storyline from each character's perspective, then it is not really a flashback if you continue where you left off with that chapter previously, regardless of where the other character has gone in the meantime. One character could be a year ahead of another and what difference would it make until the two characters meet and hopefully by then they are in the same timeframe. Just my opinion. Take care. Vern

Quote Post 4

Re: timeline continuity problems

Sounds like good advice, Dirk. And if you really HAVE to, you could say things like--While Joseph wasted away in prison, Apollo languish on his new throne.

I know. I'm being a bit silly.  I think what the others have said is good advice. Don't sweat the time line too much. Get their stories told.

Quote Post 5

Re: timeline continuity problems

Hey, my book does this a lot too, especially in the later chapters. The best way that Ive found is to put a

                                                                           . . . . .

And then pick up with the other character. This makes the break obvious and the reader will pick up on the transitions after a while. Another thing that helps is to leave some of what happened up to the reader. Let them piece some of the story together themselves. I started off with entire chapters being one character or the other, but it doesnt make sense to force the format when it could be much easer done in a simpler manner to accomplish the same thing.

Quote Post 6

Re: timeline continuity problems

Hi Dirk,

I don't think you'll have a problem switching between characters within the same chapter, even though you've previously established a chapter-by chapter change. When things get exciting, and lots of things are happening, switching more often keeps the tension high. continuously ending one chapter with a dramatic ending, then starting the next - "meanwhile, back on Earth" - will reduce the tension as you reach the climax of the novel, I think.

Cheers,
Don

Quote Post 7

Re: timeline continuity problems

I love it when there's no concensus. :-)

I'll try writing it as I have been and let people tell me if it works.

Thanks all.
Dirk

Quote Post 8

9 Reply by PByrd (edited by PByrd 2015-04-03 03:42:40)

Re: timeline continuity problems

Hi Dirk,
Just because you haven't done something in your book, doesn't mean you can't change the pattern when the story calls for it. I recently finished reading the Divergent series and the first 2 books were in one POV only. The third book broke that up and alternated POV's. As a reader, it didn't slow me down, it worked because the author made it work. My OCD-self comes out in my stories where I alternate POV's with every other chapter, but as the story progresses, I'll have alternating POV's within the same chapter because that what it calls for. Make what works for you and the story and don't worry about the pattern. BUT if you mess up the timeline, the readers will know. You don't have to give each character equal time, tell the story.

That's my 2-cents and that's probably more than my opinions worth.
Philisha

Quote Post 9

Re: timeline continuity problems

Thank you, Philisha. I started with alternating POV in chapter 2, where I introduce the two MCs, so I may end up going back to it as the story nears its conclusion. In fact, I can already see problems a couple of chapters ahead where I may have to do so.

Dirk

Quote Post 10