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Q&A How can I make a non-linear timeline less confusing?

My story is broken into 8 sections. Sections 1 and 2 take place simultaneously, in two different worlds. The other 6 continue in a linear fashion (switching back & forth between the two worlds ...

5 answers  ·  posted 5y ago by Evil Sparrow‭  ·  last activity 5y ago by System‭

#4: Attribution notice removed by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-14T20:45:27Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/43595
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#3: Attribution notice added by user avatar System‭ · 2019-12-08T11:22:15Z (almost 5 years ago)
Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/q/43595
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/
#2: Initial revision by (deleted user) · 2019-12-08T11:22:15Z (almost 5 years ago)
My story is broken into 8 sections. Sections 1 and 2 take place simultaneously, in two different worlds. The other 6 continue in a linear fashion (switching back & forth between the two worlds as needed).

Right now it's not particularly obvious that 1 and 2 are happening at the same time. There's only 1 character who appears in both (he appears towards the end of each section).

What can I do to make this more obvious to the reader?

Some options I've already considered:

- **Give up and merge 1 and 2.** I'm really trying to keep 1 and 2 separate - otherwise I'll be introducing about 20 different characters and worldbuilding info for 2 separate worlds all at once.
- **Put dates on each chapter.** This feels heavy-handed, and the two worlds aren't supposed to be using the same calendar. 
- **Leave it as is.** Hopefully, the shared character gives enough information for the reader to figure it out. (The trick here is to make it look less forced.)

**Edit:** Time flows at the same rate in both worlds. Sections 1 & 2 last for 1 month.

There is one event at the beginning that affects both worlds, but it doesn't look the _same_ in both worlds.

#1: Imported from external source by user avatar System‭ · 2019-03-15T18:53:42Z (over 5 years ago)
Original score: 11