Are the timelines close, as in within months or years? If they are very different, giving a date at the beginning of each chapter works well (as in our recent read 'Juliet'), but if the chapters are close, but not quite parallel it might get a little confusing to keep the timelines straight in one's head. Separating the book into parts may be a better plan, not expect the reader to hopscotch as much with each new chapter. -- Cindy's Cottage

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Date Posted: 20:34:24 04/03/11 Sun
Author: Denise
Subject: Are the timelines close, as in within months or years? If they are very different, giving a date at the beginning of each chapter works well (as in our recent read 'Juliet'), but if the chapters are close, but not quite parallel it might get a little confusing to keep the timelines straight in one's head. Separating the book into parts may be a better plan, not expect the reader to hopscotch as much with each new chapter.
In reply to: celtgirl 's message, "So, I have a question for you all. I'd like some opinions." on 18:47:17 04/03/11 Sun

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That's why I did it in parts, otherwise I would have to intersperse the chapters from both storylines and it would be a mess, frankly. There is only one part where the storylines touch each other. So here's an example- Part 4 starts in early winter 1973 and ends in December of '73 and Part Five where the action switches to Russia starts in February 1973, so we're backtracking ten months to catch up with all that has occured with Jamie in that time. Because, as I said, the two storylines don't touch each other, except once, I don't think it ought to be too confusing, but I could be wrong. (NT) -- celtgirl (), 21:13:38 04/03/11 Sun
- If the dates are clear at the beginning of each part, then I think it should be fine. As soon as the reader sees the new location for a part, then a shift in the timeline to 'catch up' is expected, I think. No worries - the reader will figure it out! (NT) -- Denise, 21:39:11 04/03/11 Sun