THE NAMELESS HORROR OF CREATING TIMELINES
Have you ever faced the dreaded challenge of creating a timeline for your story? If you’re a writer, illustrator, or comic creator, you probably know that feeling of anxiety that arises when trying to organize the events of your narrative. But fear not, because in this article we’ll reveal the secrets to mastering the art of timelines without losing your sanity in the process.
Get ready to discover how to transform this seemingly tedious process into a powerful tool that will enhance your creativity and keep your story under control. Keep reading and find out how to turn horror into a rewarding experience!
The Time-Devouring Monster: Demystifying Timelines
Timelines have a fearsome reputation among creators. They’re considered an exhausting, time-consuming task, and often a creative dead end. Many writers have been trapped in the maze of their own chronologies, suspending the progress of their stories for years.
But the problem isn’t limited to authors alone. Legions of readers, critics, and fans have also fallen into the trap, dedicating weeks or even months to meticulously documenting every event in their favorite sagas. The result: endless inconsistencies discovered and interminable letters to editors demanding explanations.
Imagine the poor editor trying to justify why Captain Superhero acted strangely in issues 155-157, unable to reveal that the original writer was indisposed after a too-lively Christmas party. Or worse, trying to remember who wrote that one-shot story 50 years ago that completely ignored established continuity.
But don’t despair, because there’s a way to avoid falling into this temporal abyss. The key is to learn to master the art of narrative organization. Click here to discover more about how to effectively structure your stories!
The Golden Rule: Create Your Timeline After You Start Writing
Here comes the revelation that will change your approach to timelines forever: never, under any circumstances, start creating your timeline before you begin writing your story. This simple rule is the equivalent of a miracle diet for your creative process.
Why is it so important? Because it allows you to maintain creative flow without getting trapped in chronological details from the start. When you already have a good portion of your story written, you can begin to build your timeline organically and naturally.
The key is to be selective and disciplined. Only record events in your timeline that directly stem from your narrative. Don’t get carried away by the temptation to create more and more unnecessary details. Think of yourself as a bank robber: get in, take what you need, and get out quickly.
When you’re writing and come across an event or detail that you feel should go on the timeline, pause briefly. Open your chronology document, add a short entry (no more than 15 words) in the appropriate place, and immediately return to your writing. This technique will allow you to maintain control without losing creative momentum.
Remember, the timeline is a tool to serve your story, not the other way around. Want to improve your skills in creating coherent and engaging narratives? Explore more here and take your stories to the next level.
Maximize Your Productivity: Focus on People, Events, and Places
To make your timeline truly useful, imagine you’re a reporter reading your own story. Your task is to compile only the most relevant data that explicitly appears in the text. Start with the basics: the ages of the characters.
Every time you introduce a new character, add a small entry to your timeline with their year of birth. Keep these entries simple and straightforward. If you don’t mention where the character was born in the story, don’t include it in the timeline, even if you, as the author, know it. That information belongs in character sheets, not the general chronology.
Pay attention to important events that your characters mention or remember. These flashbacks or references to the past are gold for your timeline. You can also include future events if they’re relevant to the plot or the fate of your characters.
A special case is stories with narrators. Ask yourself: From what moment is the story being told? In what situation is the narrator? Who are they narrating to? These details can be crucial for the temporal structure of your narrative.
Maintain the discipline of noting down only what appears in the story and not skipping any important detail. Over time, you’ll notice that you start adding multiple entries for the same year, which is a sign that you’re building a rich and detailed chronology.
The Power of Coincidence: Discover Unexpected Connections
The true magic of timelines reveals itself when you start noticing patterns and connections that you hadn’t initially planned. This is the moment when your organizational tool becomes a springboard for new creative ideas.
Imagine you’re adding an entry about a space archaeologist visiting Mars, and you realize that you had already noted that in the same year, all the ice in Saturn’s rings was finished being mined. Is it just a coincidence or is there a deeper connection?
These unexpected juxtapositions can inspire new subplots or add depth to your fictional world. Maybe the archaeologist’s mission is related to an economic crisis caused by the depletion of resources on Saturn. Or perhaps these seemingly unconnected events are the prelude to a major change in your narrative universe.
The key is to keep your eyes open to these opportunities. Don’t force connections, but don’t ignore them when they appear naturally. These coincidences can be the spark that ignites new creative directions in your story.
Master the Art of Timelines: Your Path to Narrative Excellence
Throughout this journey, we’ve demystified the process of creating timelines, transforming it from a dreaded task into a powerful tool for your creative arsenal. Remember, the key is to start after you’ve begun writing, maintain discipline in your annotations, and be open to unexpected connections that may arise.
Timelines, when used correctly, are not chains that limit your creativity, but maps that guide you through the intricate landscapes of your narrative. They allow you to maintain coherence, discover new possibilities, and deepen the richness of your fictional world.
With practice and patience, you’ll manage to create timelines that will be the holy grail of your story. They will be the compass that guides you when you feel lost in the vast ocean of your own creativity.
Always remember: the timeline is your ally, not your enemy. Use it wisely, and you’ll see how your narrative flourishes and expands in ways you never imagined possible.
