I recently read a Kindle book, but the timing of events in the storyline were so significantly off I had to stop reading. That is what prompted this blog post on timeline coherence.
Publishing your story with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is quite easy, even if you are new to self-publishing. Many self-publishers skip the hiring of editors or writing coaches and it's understandable. I don't hire one myself for my published books. That's because writing and selling ebooks hardly results in earning enough money to cover the cost of editing. I once paid $500 for a writing critique, and it was a bargain price. Since I have done editing for pay myself, I know what I would have to charge if I were an editor. Therefore, I prefer to do editing and proofreading myself.
As I was reading the above-noted book, I could tell the author hadn't had it professionally edited. If she had, it would have had a better flow. That being said, this is something that can be self-taught too.
So this tip is to help you as a writer become aware of the importance of writing your events in order. (This doesn't mean you can't do foreshadowing or highlight a dramatic event and go back to it later. Often, books start with an impactful event to catch a reader's attention. The details of the event are explained later in the story.)
Backward Timing
Here is an example of something written with backward timing--the kind I want to point out in this blog post:
My belly felt bloated. I walked the waters edge hoping movement would help me feel better.
I entered the cafe and overlooked the menu. The meat-filled wraps looked appealing. I ordered one.
My blue dress was my favourite. I felt pretty in it. Now I just felt fat.
I bit into the wrap after the waiter brought it. Yum, it seemed to hit the spot. I sloshed down my diet Pepsi quickly. I wanted to get out into the sun before it set.
Years ago I'd been to this beach and loved it. There were no cafes on the beach at that time. I spotted the cafe and decided it was the perfect spot for a late lunch.
In my opinion, this story goes all over the place. It isn't in sequence. A writing coach or editor could point out improvements or even fix it for the writer. Simply, there should be a flow of the timing of events. Obviously, you don't mention a bloated belly before you've even eaten the sandwich and had the beverage that caused it. You don't eat at a cafe before even spotting it.
Think Through Logically
Many times, getting the flow right is simply a matter of thinking logically about how normal events of the day unfold. However, there are larger timelines that should be taken into consideration. For example, if you have relocated to a beach area apartment with your baby, it would be confusing to then discuss the progress of the pregnancy. This is because the reader understands that there is already a baby present.
Read from a Reader's Perspective
Yes, pouring your thoughts out on paper (computer screen) is a first good step when writing anything. And, as the author, it can be hard to see the storyline unfold in proper order. Nevertheless, it is essential to read your narrative from a reader's perspective to ensure that the timeline flows smoothly and maintains its intended coherence.
