Timelines and Math and Okay, I’m Weird

If you don’t know what factitious means, now is the time to look it up. This post will be a bit scary. I might sort of almost accidentally reveal my age. That kind of thing happens when we mention specific years and how we remember or are connected to them. I want to talk about why I avoid years in my writing by sharing an example of a book that did not.

Something I read recently mentioned one specific year. That year became the anchor for every other number in the book, and it distracted me the whole time. The main character was 23 years old. Let’s just say that’s “at least” 20 years younger than I am. The one year stated in the book was the year the character’s mother graduated from high school, which was only one year after my mother graduated from high school. Other details in the book suggested that the character’s mom and my mom were about the same age when we were born, 20-some years apart. Do you understand why this messed with my head?

The book was published ten years ago, but that only accounts for half the gap. Plus, the story felt current enough that I would not have checked the publication year if I hadn’t been bothered by the year in the book. This is the point that’s more important than my preoccupation with making all the numbers add up. Specific years will make a contemporary story sound old very quickly. Dates equal dated. That should be obvious.

Instead of saying when something happened, I try to say how long ago it was or how old the character was when it happened. Then the reader can insert the current year if he or she feels the need for math. I admit, however, that I still reference a calendar while I’m writing. It isn’t the year but the days of the week that I’m following. If it becomes relevant in the story that August ends on a Tuesday or Christmas falls on a Saturday, any other days of the week that get inserted will line up. That’s the real secret to a good timeline. You’re welcome.

The Rest isn't All Downhill

It was not very long ago that I didn’t think I’d ever write a series. I didn’t have anything against the idea. I just hadn’t even finished one book yet so a whole series sounded beyond daunting. That was nearly fifteen years ago, which people younger than me might suggest was a long time ago. But this isn’t about my age.

Having written several series now, I have enough experience to see the advantages to writing related books. The most obvious plus is the shared setting. My current series already has a small town with a couple of local businesses and some minor characters to populate it. That is material I can use in the other books. It means decisions I don’t have to make again. That’s very helpful.

But the downside is that I have to be consistent with those decisions. Even the little ones I don’t always remember. (Still not about my age.) In the Romance Arts series, the one I’m currently writing and others should be reading, I knew Audra said in Book 1 how long she’d been in her apartment. I had to check her exact words to make sure she didn’t say anything in Book 2 to contradict that. Cameron only came up a few times in the first book as a minor character so I couldn’t remember if I’d mentioned his eye color. I had to skim each mention of him to remind myself which details I’d established. A particularly frustrating memory lapse involved Logan’s last name. I knew I gave him one, but I couldn’t remember it. After failing to find it in the first book, I had to go back to my notes. I had trouble finding my notes. Then I discovered that I didn’t like the name I had picked out for him, and that was probably why it hadn’t yet appeared in print. It was a way of delaying that decision. He’ll get one that sticks in Book 2.

Another thing that can be difficult about a series is knowing how much to involve future main characters. I want readers to get to know them a bit while they are minor characters without introducing significant plot points. I have occasionally read books where a major development occurs in the last chapter, and it’s clearly been put in to get me to buy the next book. I do not like that. Cliff-hangers and I are not buddies. But it can be a tricky balance to hint at something going on in a character’s life without setting it up as though there is a huge decision that everyone has to wait until the next book to read about. Of course, my readers know I don’t dish out major drama to begin with. Maybe in another fifteen years, but I doubt it.

Happy Release Day to me!

The Art of Introductions released today in paperback and kindle. (Other ebook formats will be available in June.) I’m celebrating. My celebration consists almost entirely of being happy. I might dance later. I’m excited the book is finally ready for people to read. I’m excited to see or hear what people have to say about it. I’m also terrified of seeing or hearing not-so-nice comments, but I think I’m ready for that. Finishing a book feels no less significant now than the first time I did it. I put a lot of time and effort into the story, and it’s time to enjoy that accomplishment.

The only gifts in honor of this happy day will go to others. I got permission from my publisher (wink, wink) to give out some free copies of my brand-new book.  Free copies of The Art of Introductions are up for grabs in celebration of the book’s release. 5 paperback copies and 5 kindle copies will be given away on April 5nd.

The Rules.
Simply enter your contact data into the form. Winners will be selected at random. Must be 18 or older. Paperback copies will only be sent to US addresses. Entries may be submitted for both formats. Paperback winners will be chosen first, those will then become ineligible for kindle copies. Information is collected for contest purposes only. All information will be deleted at the conclusion of the contest.

Ready to Enter?
Use this form for a chance to win a paperback copy of The Art of Introductions.

Use this form for a chance to win a kindle copy of The Art of Introductions.