Time Warping!

[DocSavage656]

I have a question for the editors out there. I have a story in which the first chapter takes place in present time, then the next few chapters need to have happened 10 years past. Can I do multiple chapters at one point then jump to another for a few more chapters, then jump back?

I know it's my world, and I can do what I want, but I would like to use as correct form as I can. I want to learn to do this correctly.

Thanks for the help!

Doc

 

[PennLady]

You certainly can. Just make it clear to the reader what's going on.

 

[LWulf]

Cool! A time warping story question...

Not that I disagree with PennLady, but to further what she said...

My understanding is; there are no rules about "correct form" regarding temporal references. However, that said, we are linear progressive beings and most of us understand time as a strict progression of cause to effect, but feel free to describe it from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint. So it comes across more like a big ball of wibbly-wobbly... timey-wimey... stuff.

In other words, as long as the reader understands...

 

[robertreams]

I often begn my stories in the past tense and work up so the intense action is in the present tense. Some say, "AHA you changed tense," some think it is OK. It's what I do. It works for me.

 

[Hypoxia]

I don't want to sound too snarky here, but... have you ever read any fiction? Fiction with flashbacks and discontinuous story lines? With events that occur in different locations? Have you ever noticed how authors handle jumps in time and space? Have you noticed chapter and section headings like, NEW YORK CITY, JUNE 1999 ??

I'll confess -- I have read such fiction. I have noticed such headings. I have even used such headings in my own writings, although I have yet to need a flashback in pieces I posted here. I have some flashback stories in the pipeline -- stay tuned.

Anyway, it's an easy technique. Have fun!

 

[TessaC]

.....

 

[DocSavage656]

Thanks

Thank you for all your help. I appreciate it.
Doc