Two time periods written in parallel

[bsolah]

I’m currently going back to rewriting my first ever novel idea. New ideas and amendments to the idea make it seem more workable and believable this time.

The story is set in two time periods, 12th Century Kievan Rus’ and modern day country Victoria, Australia (massive difference I know, but suspend your disbelief) and the main character from the 12th Century story is part of the modern day story too. I wanted to write part of the 12th Century bit, then a bit of the modern day story, then a bit of the 12th centry bit etc.

Firstly, is this ok? And secondly, any advice on techniques for revealing the 12th century bit amongst the modern day stuff? The modern day story is the ‘main storyline’ but the 12th century is a little more important than just backstory. Can I just like interchange chapters, with one in normal type, one in italics?

[Ziljon]

Sounds like a great idea to me. Just switch chapters. Don't put the 12th century one's in italics. If they want to, the publishers will do that.

Also, be sure your 12th century voice is distinctive, then it will be clear when and if it merges with the modern day story.

Good luck.:)

[FennelGiraffe]

Sounds like an interesting story. Kievan Rus has been on my list of things to learn more about. The alternating chapters should work very well, but not the italics. Try using chapter titles to indicate which period each chapter belongs to.

Anchor the setting immediately at the beginning of each chapter and use different narrative voices for the two settings. And if it's a strict alternation, readers will spot the pattern within a few chapters, anyway.

[bsolah]

Kievan Rus has been on my list of things to learn more about

It's an interesting period, though having trouble finding stuff to read about it. It's a fairly unknown part of history as far as I can tell.

[kuwisdelu]

Interchanging chapters is fine. But don't set either in italics, that's just distracting and unreadable after a couple pages. I'd say just make sure the first chapter set in the past begins with a scene distinctively and uniquely 12th-century-esque...if that makes sense. The reader will catch on after that. Try to keep up the distinct voice/setting/style, etc. to distinguish the two time periods.

[Manderley]

I'm currently reading "People of the Book", and that's jumping back and forth between 1996 and other times in history. It works absolutely fine. The writer, Geraldine Brooks, has solved this by doing alternate parts set in the different time periodes, and starting each part with a title and where and when it is set, like this: "An Insect's Wing, Sarajevo, 1940". This gives the readers all the info they need to adjust between each part.

But as others have said: No italics!

[Michael Parks]

The Kievan Rus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kievan_Rus) reminds me a bit of Gaul prior to the Roman conquest. I use the Celtic druids in modern day and a few scenes with them from around 50 B.C. in my WIP, but only as backstory. The parallel time periods sound like an interesting concept. Good advice above. Good luck, and don't give up. Sounds like an idea that you like and those are the best ones to pursue.

[Varthikes]

Todd McCaffrey does this in Dragonsblood.

Each time he switches, he makes it known by a subtitle.

[Mac H.]

I’m currently going back to rewriting my first ever novel idea. New ideas and amendments to the idea make it seem more workable and believable this time.

The story is set in two time periods, 12th Century Kievan Rus’ and modern day country Victoria, Australia (massive difference I know, but suspend your disbelief) and the main character from the 12th Century story is part of the modern day story too. I wanted to write part of the 12th Century bit, then a bit of the modern day story, then a bit of the 12th centry bit etc.The style/genre is called 'Time Slip'.

Kate Moss discussed this at the Melbourne Writer's Festival.

You can hear the audio here: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/stories/2008/2343799.htm

It was on the radio this morning - it will also be on Radio National tonight at midnight (Melbourne time)

Mac

[HeronW]

Alt chapters the same as for using 2 or more MCs to tell in parallel then wrap up a the end. Keeps you on your literary toes!

[NeuroFizz]

As others have said, make the distinction between the time periods through good writing, not through font tricks.

[PastMidnight]

I've done this. I have a novel written set during both the First and the Second World Wars, told in alternating chapters. In addition to dated chapter titles, the First World War part is entirely epistolary, so it is clear from the style which story you are reading. You asked about technique. I wrote the epistolary story first, from beginning to end, went through and found the natural chapter breaks, and then built my other story, the Second World War story, around those chapters.

[bsolah]

Thanks guys for all your help. When I first approached this idea, when I was 18 (I'm now 22), I think I either asked this forum or some other writers forum and the whole concept of two storylines so far apart in terms of time and location was taken as mad and undoable.

Thanks for the encouragement, this idea obviously sticks with me if it's come back after like four years of not touching it.

The style/genre is called 'Time Slip'.

Kate Moss discussed this at the Melbourne Writer's Festival.

You can here the audio here: http://www.abc.net.au/rn/bookshow/stories/2008/2343799.htm

It was on the radio this morning - it will also be on Radio National tonight at midnight (Melbourne time)

Mac

Thanks, I actually went to the Writer's Festival the other weekend. I'll have to have a listen.

[Gillhoughly]

Fred Saberhagen did this with some of his Dracula novels, I've done it myself, so have other writers.

As an editor, putting the 12th century stuff in italics will annoy the holy heck out of me. Please don't do that.

Set the two time lines--and presumably story lines--apart with either chapter breaks or section breaks. You have to let the reader know "when" they are, or they can be turned off.

You can head each one with "The Present, (location)" and "Summer, 1155 (location). I've used that device many times. It helps me keep track!

Section breaks happen if you need to drop into the 12th century for a few pages of more within a chapter.

If you bounce back and forth every few paragraphs--well, don't DO that. Your readers want a story, not a ping-pong ball! http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

Fred told one of his stories using the every other chapter device, which was good enough for me to use when it was my turn.

You might check the library for copies of "The Dracula Tape" and "The Holmes-Dracula File" which are excellent examples of parallel narratives. They will show you how to do it well.

[Clarec]

Matthew Reilly did this with Temple, which I think is a very good book. I can't remember exactly how he made it clear he was switching periods but it might have been with a new chapter and heading of the main character. Don't quote me on that, I'm sure you could easily find out by popping into a bookshop to check. You could even read it, it's a great story and I found both timeframes and the adventures equally interesting and exciting, which is unusual as I usually find one character or time more interesting.

Clare