Some stories are so complicated they require not just one,
but two timelines to tell everything. Often, this is the result of an intricate and integral
backstory, such as we might find in Margaret Atwood’s The Year of the Flood or Ann Brashares’s My Name Is Memory.
The pitfalls of this are obvious, since you’re risking reader
confusion and frustration by straying from the beaten path of a single,
chronological storyline. But the benefits are also manifold: they can include a
deeper plot, more resonant theme, and greater character development.
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| Novels with dual timelines can be tricky to pull off, but they can also be rewarding writing and reading experiences. |
As a reader, I’m a big fan of this technique. I’ve messed
around with it in most of my stories, although, as of yet, the only published
version to feature dual timelines is A Man Called Outlaw. Not too long ago, I received an email from a
blog reader, asking for a post on how to pull off dual timelines. Below are a few
of the lessons I’ve learned from my experiences with this difficult, but often
rewarding technique.
1. Make both timelines equally interesting.
One of the greatest pitfalls of the dual timeline is the
possibility that one of the plots will interest readers more than the other.
Essentially, you’re asking readers to read two stories simultaneously, with
sometimes very little to connect the two until they reach the final chapters. To keep
readers from growing frustrated whenever they’re pulled from one timeline into
the other, you must make sure both timelines are equally exciting and
compelling.
2. Balance the timelines.
The balance you decide upon for your story doesn’t have to be perfectly equal. You may want to place more emphasis on one timeline over the
other, which will keep you from achieving a 50/50 balance. But you will want to organize the book so the timelines appear in a logical pattern. Alternating timelines every chapter
is the easiest way to accustom readers to the switch, but you can achieve the
same effect by interspersing a lesser-timeline chapter every three chapters or so. Consistency
is what’s important here. You don’t want to delve into one of the timelines for
so long that readers forget all about the other timeline.
3. Avoid “filler” scenes.
In your attempt to balance your timelines, you may find one timeline is much “muchier” than the other. Don’t fall into the temptation
of padding the lesser timeline with filler scenes to try to bring it up to
speed with the larger timeline. Make certain every scene in both timelines moves the plot forward
in important and interesting ways.
4. Double-check plot points.
In telling what essentially amounts to two stories, you must be extra careful with your plot points. It’s possible a
single set of major plot points (at the 25%, 50%, and 75% marks) could affect
both timelines. But, more than likely, each timeline is going to need its own
plot points to keep the plot moving forward. Juggling the timelines so both
sets of plot points land near the appropriate moments in the story can be
tricky, so check and double-check yourself.
5. Avoid confusing transitions.
In switching between timelines, you’re going to have to take
extra care to make certain readers are keeping up with you. You can mark the
respective times/years at the beginning of each new section, but you’ll also
want to specify narrating characters and any other pertinent info at
the beginning of each switch. Don’t ever leave readers floundering; orient them
as quickly as possible.
6. Tighten timelines within the third act.
The third act is where you need to pull your
timelines together. The closer you get to the end, the clearer it should be to
readers how the earlier timeline affects the events that are playing out in the
later timeline. You’ll likely end your early timeline just prior to the later timeline’s climax, so make sure all your loose ends are appropriately
knotted off by then.
Dual timelines are always tricky and not always worth the
trouble. Don’t dive into one without thinking through the ramifications. But if
you’re certain a dual timeline is necessary for your story, take the leap and have fun.
This technique can be a blast to write, and if you ace all the above
requirements, it can also leave you with a book that’s just as much fun to
read.
Tell me your opinion: Have you wanted to write a story with dual timelines?
Related Posts: Should You Outline Backwards?
Does Your Story Need Subplots?
Don’t Tie off Your Scenes With a Ribbon
_________________
Click the “Play” button to Listen to Audio Version (or subscribe to the Wordplay podcast in iTunes).
Tell me your opinion: Have you wanted to write a story with dual timelines?
Related Posts: Should You Outline Backwards?
Does Your Story Need Subplots?
Don’t Tie off Your Scenes With a Ribbon
_________________
Click the “Play” button to Listen to Audio Version (or subscribe to the Wordplay podcast in iTunes).
Story by K.M. Weiland
Tags: backstory , Feature , Plot , scene breaks
Good advice here. Beginning in October I am release a series of three books that have dual timelines, about 1/3 historical and 2/3 contemporary. I opted to plot out and write the historical completely separate of the contemporary so that characters there are robust and the plot is its own. After I write the contemporary I create the transitions to blend the two. They are related thematically and genealogically. I'M just beginning to write the third book and have loved this approach.
There are a lot of advantages to writing both timelines separately and coherently. One of the drawbacks would be a lack of organic flow between the two, but, of course, that can always be remedied when editing.
I'm editing my WIP which is the first novel I've written with two timelines. Your advice here is good. The writing was fine. But the editing has been really difficult. I have my story divided into sections, not so much chapters so I could be a little looser with the format. Each time I switch, it is clearly labeled to orient the reader, as you said. I actually graphed my plot points so I could see that each story line was "playing nice" with the other. I think the only thing I would add is to pad your editing calendar because I am way behind.
Editing always seems to take longer that we'd like, no matter what kind of story we're writing. Sounds like you've got all your bases covered!
Are dual timelines where you tell one part of the story in one time and then tell the rest in another time?
Right. For example, you could tell half your story in a modern setting and the other half in the 1700s.
You pulled it off brilliantly in A Man Called Outlaw. But I'm not sure it's something I'm ready to tackle myself.
Looking back, there are a lot of ways I wish I pulled it off better in Outlaw, but the experience taught me a lot.
Hmmm. Makes me think of The Historian. That one seemed to pull it off nicely. Although I tend to run away from books who's covers mention two people in different time periods struggling with similar/intertwining issues. I dunno, something about it just puts me off.
The Historian did a good job of pulling off its timelines through the old "letter" technique of having a character in one timeline read about the happenings in another timeline. This technique takes a bit of suspension of disbelief on the reader's part (since few people write letters or diaries in the depth necessary to create compelling fiction), but it's a time-honored tradition down from the likes of Henry Fielding and Emily Bronte.
having just completed my first fiction since the early 80s (been doing poetry) last month, and having used a dual timeline to shortly before the end, it was gratifying to see these extremely helpful pointers -
i think i got lucky and "mostly" followed these guidelines, but seeing them bullet point listed and explained, will be very helpful in future efforts
thanks so much! ;-)
Most of this are pretty intuitive, but sometimes it helps to have the points solidified. Glad you enjoyed the post!
Most interesting. In my EARTH IS NOT ALONE, which Grace Bridges and others on Amazon reviewed, I have two related stories that occur, one on a slightly future Earth that has lost electrical power and another on a similar planet, Emryss. And they connect, yes with romance, problems, and other responsibilities. Some ways I've tried to keep these different and somewhat detailed stories from wandering away from the reader are these: underlining similar mutual religion connections, even seasons and timelines using--and repeating--genealogies and family connections, and even repeating (more than usual) names and details of key characters. And unique with EINA is a discussion of the special religious connection that is shared, something which the Bible says nothing specific about. How far out and "away" does one's moral responsibility extend? Parallel and connected stories are fun to work with and worth the effort.
Great points. Parallelism between timelines can work wonders in providing both a sense of continuity and a deepening of theme. It can also work to bring foreshadowing from one timeline to the other.
Wanted to - yes! Have I - yes! And it even keeps my interest while editing and proofing. I have discovered that it's a two edged sword for reviews. As an example, for my latest book, Havana's Secret, one critic proclaims it to be 'masterful storytelling' where another laments that 'there are two good stories here rather than one.'
Anytime we attempt something different from the norm, we have to know there will be detractors. But trying new things and experimenting with new forms is the only way to grow.
Thank you for this... One of my WIP has two timelines and balancing can definitely be a little tough at times throughout the book.
Very helpful advice, especially as my current WIP is in dual pov. Hope you don't mind if I copy a link on my blog
@Ainsley: Dual timelines can be challenging, but anything that challenges our writing is a good thing!
@lorrie: Please do, and thank you!
This sounds complicated but very interesting. I'm not sure I could pull it off, but I'd like to try one or two of these to read and see how the magic's woven in them.
As I said, I really enjoy this technique as a reader - when it's done well. It has the potential to add all kinds of depth and to explain character backstories in satisfying ways. But it can also go very wrong and end up being much more tedious and frustrating than it's worth.
Very helpful, K. M. Thanks much for posting!
Russell
Thanks for reading!
I am so very grateful that you've written this post!! The novel that I started but then stopped because realized it required more structure, has exactly this issue. Two women who meet later but are a different ages when they do so...one is in her 70s, one is in her late 20s. I've been flummoxed as to how to carry it off and still maintain interest and tension with both characters. Your suggestions most definitely help! Thanks yet again!
Sounds like a story that has great potential for exploring characters through dual timelines. Glad you found the post useful!
I've always liked the idea of this, but I'll admit it's a bit intimidating to actually try. I've done different POVs, but not with characters living in completely different time periods. Maybe I'll give it a try now thanks to this post!
The actual writing isn't all that complicated. It's fun to have the freedom to explore wildly different plots and characters. The trick is pulling it all together in a manner that works for readers. But, if you don't get it right the first time, that's what rewriting is for!
I can't resist dual timelines, both as a reader and a writer. But, yes, they are definitely challenging, for all the reasons you mention. The "keeping both compelling" is the one that I struggle with the most. Even when both are interesting, they'll each have their lulls and quiet moments. Knowing how to balance two stories with different pace structures helps with that.
As if telling one story right wasn't tough enough, we have to go and try to tell two at the same time. :p But, in the end, the experience can be incredibly rewarding.
Thanks for the post dear!
In fact it is SO hard to know IF you know the dual timeline or not :O
I´m using it on my WIP because I thing the main couple´s back story is fascinating! lol
xoxo
M.
Backstory, when done well, can often be more fascinating than the front story - and can absolutely bring more depth to the book as a whole. But, you're right, it *is* tricky. Sometimes we just have to play it out on paper and see what happens.
I was the one that was confused by what a ghost is. Something I'm wondering, does a double timeline necessarily have to be a different character?
Honestly at this point I'm unsure whether double timelines would make a dystopian novel more confusing than it already it.
You could definitely do some interesting dual timelines with the same character at different points in his life. Actually, I love the idea!
I'm working on a dual timeline story right now. I discovered that more time passed in one than the other. I had to get a calendar and write what was happening in each to get them to line up right.
Calenders are super helpful, even in single timeline stories. yWriter, the software program I use to organize my notes, has a great time-keeping feature.