Writing Advice

[TheIronRuler]

If it were me I wouldn't rely on something as superficial as word processing mechanics, especially since submissions guidelines are usually pretty strict and those kinds of things wouldn't transfer over if you ever wanted to get it published.

Typically when I can't figure out an elegant way to do meta-story things like clear narrative changes like what you're talking about, I just abandon it and figure something else out. It's all about deciding what's most important to you and your story and sometimes you need to make sacrifices. Sometimes the sacrifice involves nothing more than rewriting some or all of the story. Rewriting always has to be an option.

The story is rather shot and each chapter ranges from 2 to 4 pages. I doubt that after reading a chapter of a different plot line the person will forget about the other. Plus, My main plot always end with a mini-cliffhanger that forces the reader to quickly read the usually shorter chapter afterwards and then get to the rest of the main story.
Is that acceptable?

Hard to visualize without context. Why don't you just direct me to your story and I'll give you some proper advice.

I don't understand.
You want me to talk about the story, or give you a copy to read?

 

[Scabadus]

If it's not always clear which location goes with what timeline, then I would do both. Maybe do it like the newspaper articles do it - just a little "Los Angeles, April 30, 2010" right before your first paragraph or something. It might be best to make it that unobtrusive.

Like I explained earlier, this isn't modern times.
It's fantasy, and I'd rather kill myself than work on a dating system.
Therefore dates can't be used, I figured that halfway through responding to posts.

The two arn't mutually exclusive; you could use modern dates in your fantasy work. Sure some people might think it's odd, but it you really want to not use anything modern then break down a standard 364 day year into four seasons (Spring, Summer, Harvest, Winter) and give each one 91 days. So the date would be something like: 41st day of the Harvest season, year 745. It's familier, while not being inherentily modern.

The other solution would just be to have the speaker talk directly to the reader; ("this has been my story. It's been several months since it ended, and I've had a long time to think about my choices..."). It won't work in every work, but it's worth considering.

 

[Charisma]

If it were me I wouldn't rely on something as superficial as word processing mechanics, especially since submissions guidelines are usually pretty strict and those kinds of things wouldn't transfer over if you ever wanted to get it published.

Typically when I can't figure out an elegant way to do meta-story things like clear narrative changes like what you're talking about, I just abandon it and figure something else out. It's all about deciding what's most important to you and your story and sometimes you need to make sacrifices. Sometimes the sacrifice involves nothing more than rewriting some or all of the story. Rewriting always has to be an option.

The story is rather shot and each chapter ranges from 2 to 4 pages. I doubt that after reading a chapter of a different plot line the person will forget about the other. Plus, My main plot always end with a mini-cliffhanger that forces the reader to quickly read the usually shorter chapter afterwards and then get to the rest of the main story.
Is that acceptable?

Hard to visualize without context. Why don't you just direct me to your story and I'll give you some proper advice.

I don't understand.
You want me to talk about the story, or give you a copy to read?

second one

 

[Thespian]

I think you should give each chapter heading a subtitle - Past, Present, Future, etc.,

Or, if each time frame is distinguished by a certain character, do something like

"1 - Lucy"
"2 - Oscar"
"3 - Gertrude"

Et cetera. Lots of books alternate character view point from each chapter and use chapter headings to describe it. You can do the same with time frame.

 

[TheIronRuler]

I think you should give each chapter heading a subtitle - Past, Present, Future, etc.,

Or, if each time frame is distinguished by a certain character, do something like

"1 - Lucy"
"2 - Oscar"
"3 - Gertrude"

Et cetera. Lots of books alternate character view point from each chapter and use chapter headings to describe it. You can do the same with time frame.

I've forgot to mention that there is one point of view and the difference between them is about one year (different seasons too).
They're both in the first person.
Try and figure another way to make it clearer. I thank you for your time.

 

[Thespian]

I've forgot to mention that there is one point of view and the difference between them is about one year (different seasons too).
They're both in the first person.
Try and figure another way to make it clearer. I thank you for your time.

Ah I see. Well, if there is only three, you could use past, present, future. If they take place in different years and it's a fantasy setting, you could give each year a name.

By this I mean, like the chinese year of the rat, for example. That way it seems as though you've given your fantasy world a date system without... actually doing it.

 

[TheIronRuler]

I heard a couple of opinions about the piece, and they told me that the writing style and personality of the main character (along with other hints) make up for not writing time or places before every episode.
Therefore I suppose this thread lost a bit of its meaning.
Now I have another question, just for you -
I want to write a story in the second person, with a frame story (A person telling the tale) in the third person, in the style of an all knowing entity.
I've realized that second person is difficult, but I plan on having the person talk about certain key moments in the life of the hero, such that changed him and his behavior, and then dedicate the rest of the piece to the devastating event that occurred, placing the hero in the spotlight as a murderer, and the sole survivor as the person telling his tale.
Any tips on how to accomplish this?