How do you switch back and forth from time periods within the story without confusing the reader?
2007-02-09 16:59:29 · 5 answers · asked by Babyred 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
Very carefully.
There are several ways to do this. One is to simply state that you've gone back in the past, or back to the present, etc... Another is to mention your character is remembering something and start describing the flashback. You could also have a character tell a story within the story, etc..., etc...
I recommend you get together a couple of stories where authors do this and read them to see how they do it and make it work.
Also, re-read your work. Does it sound right to you? Do you think the reader will get it? If possible, get somebody else to read it as well. Ask them if they got it. If they didn't, it's probably because you didn't make it clear enough.
2007-02-09 17:26:13 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd start a new chapter, and make the header of it - in italics - the time and place where the story is now taking place. It helps if you do it at the start, and then the reader will be familiar and catch on for the next time.
2007-02-10 01:03:41 · answer #2 · answered by Okayla 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Title each chapter with the date, and possibly the time.
2007-02-10 01:02:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make the dates as subtitles, or insert the date before recounting.
2007-02-10 02:38:28 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Italicize it the past
2007-02-10 01:06:20 · answer #5 · answered by hiphop_1551 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋