#184. 3 Must-Know Tips For Writing A Novel With Dual Timelines

Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

“I want to write a dual timeline novel, but I’m struggling to weave the storylines together. Help!” 👈 This is something I hear from writers all the time. And while it’s true that writing a story with dual timelines presents its own set of challenges, the possibilities are often worth the effort.

Tune in to this episode to learn the essential elements that make dual timeline novels work, common mistakes to avoid, and practical writing strategies you can use to write a dual timeline story that truly resonates with readers.

In this episode, I cover things like:

• [03:00] The difference between true dual timeline stories and stories that use flashbacks to convey backstory—and why this distinction is so important
• [08:45] Two proven methods for arranging the chapters in your dual timeline novel, including the most common approach that works for all genres
• [11:25] Why creating a connection between timelines is so critical—and 5 specific ways to create meaningful connections between your timelines
• [18:00] How to keep readers engaged in your story no matter which timeline they’re in (and what to do if one of your timelines falls flat)
• [25:55] Final thoughts and episode recap

If you want to write a novel that has more than one timeline—or if you’re editing a novel with dual timelines—this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

🔗 Links mentioned in this episode:

• Click here to get instant access to our deep dive into The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab to see how a dual timeline novel works!

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👉 Looking for a transcript? If you’re listening on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, scroll down below the episode player until you see the transcript.

Chapters

1. Creating Meaningful Timeline Connections (00:00:00)

2. Defining Dual Timeline Stories (00:05:06)

3. Structuring With Purpose (00:12:21)

4. Creating Meaningful Connections Between Timelines (00:19:09)

5. Balancing Reader Investment Across Timelines (00:35:49)

6. Key Takeaways and Additional Resources (00:55:45)