A Useful Plotting Tool – The Fold-out Timeline
How to Keep Control of the Story Chronology
It's enough to make most writers want to hurl their computer through the window: after months of writing, they find that they've made a crucial error in the timeline of their story. There's no quick fix, either – it means going back to rewrite half a dozen scenes. At least.
Since most writers are time-poor, that's a big setback. A side-effect is that the author can lose momentum with the entire project, and may even end up shelving it in pure frustration.
All of this can be avoided by creating one simple tool: a fold-out timeline, pasted into the back of a plotting notebook or ideas folder. Armed with this useful aid, authors can move ahead secure in the knowledge that all will unfold exactly as it should.
Step by step, this is how to build a book timeline.
Step One – Plot a Rough Timeline
Most novels tend to take on a life of their own as the story develops. New characters appear and new plot twists suggest themselves, and all of this usually means changes to the book's chronology. This doesn't matter as long as the writer builds in flexibility ahead of time.
The basic timeline should have the following dates and times marked in:
- The starting point
- Major events and turning points
- The probable end point
Step Two – Transfer the Timeline to a Fold-Out Page
An A3 page might be wide enough for a simple story, but otherwise this step will involve paper, scissors and glue. Use as many pages as necessary to be able to view the timeline without a magnifying glass. Use a pencil so the dates can easily be erased and changed as the story develops.
Step Three – Mark in Major Plot Events and Turning Points
Even though the dates and times might change, the actual plot events and turning points probably won't. Mark these on the timeline, but leave enough space between them to add more. The divisions don't have to be even. There might be a lot happening in the first week, then nothing much happening for a month, then a lot of action during the final two weeks.
Step Four – Write in Times and Dates
Above each plot point, pencil in the anticipated timing of this event. If there's not enough room, make the timeline wider. Complex novels may span years rather than weeks or months. If the novel has subplots, mark the major events of the subplot on the timeline in a different colour. Often, it's the effort of coordinating plot and subplots that causes angst for a writer!
Step Five – Paste the Timeline into the Plotting Notebook
For quick access and easy reference, the fold-out timeline can be pasted into the back of a plot notebook or ideas folder. The portability of a notebook suits many authors more than a timeline kept on a computer. A notebook can be taken anywhere: from computer to computer, to a critique group meeting, or to a cafe. Fold the timeline page(s) concertina-style – it sits better when opened out.
The fold-out timeline is a really useful way to keep a book's timeline organised, no matter how much a novel changes along the way.
Plotting tool - a fold-out timeline
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