Linear issue

Gannicus

I'm currently trying to write my first book. Really enjoying it but I am having one problem. I was wondering if anyone can help me.

I'm having a problem keeping the story moving in a linear direction. I seem to be jumping back and forward along the timeline. I can understand what's going on in the story but I'm afraid that's only because I'm the one writing it. Has anyone had this problem and how did you overcome it?

Toasterspark

Have you written the entire story yet? If you haven't, then that's your first thing to do. Write out the story in full, and when you finish it you can look at re-organising the layout if needs be.

Gannicus

Toasterspark wrote: »

Have you written the entire story yet? If you haven't, then that's your first thing to do. Write out the story in full, and when you finish it you can look at re-organising the layout if needs be.

I haven't finished writing it yet. I have just reached a certain point and was reading back over it when I noticed it.

jumping about timelines can be done quite well if done carefully

if it's just error though, maybe jot down some notes and rearrange

Gannicus

bluewolf wrote: »

jumping about timelines can be done quite well if done carefully

if it's just error though, maybe jot down some notes and rearrange

I don't know if I'm doing it carefully but. It seems quite easy to read but at the same time I know what's happening as I am the one writing the story.

Big Steve

Big Steve wrote: »

I don't know if I'm doing it carefully but. It seems quite easy to read but at the same time I know what's happening as I am the one writing the story.

that's something only feedback will give you
finish it and go from there

pickarooney

Big Steve wrote: »

I don't know if I'm doing it carefully but. It seems quite easy to read but at the same time I know what's happening as I am the one writing the story.

Can you write a summary of each chapter (so far) in about ten words? Do that and read it back to yourself or better yet get someone to read it and see can they follow the story.

EileenG

A lot of the time, flashbacks or jumping back in time are just ways of bringing in backstory, and my personal opinion is that most stories have way too much backstory.

Write the story, then see how much of the backstory can be cut. This is one of the times when a bit of judicious telling can work well. Instead of a whole scene revealing how Jack had inherited the title, you can have one line saying something like "When his father drunkenly claimed to be the disinherited grandson of an earl, who'd have guessed he was telling the truth?"

It's also useful to write your synopsis as you go. At the end of each chapter, put the main points into the synopsis. You'll soon see which chapters are not pulling their weight.