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Source: https://writers.stackexchange.com/a/43758
License name: CC BY-SA 3.0
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Firstly, once a reader completes both the sections, your timeline will automatically become clear. So, since the beginning(Common event) and ending(Minor character meeting MC) of the timeline are well defined, keeping the sections as they are is a viable option.

Now you also want the reader to understand that-

1. The starting event mentioned in section 1 & section 2 is the same. Describe the event in ways so that the reader can identify the common details. For example if the event is an earthquake in the north, the north knows it was an earthquake (and mentions it in the story as an aside), but to the south, there is only talk about the tremors felt at the northern outposts a few days back. - Let the reader figure it out, but give enough clues. If the event is described such that there is no doubt about it being the same in sections 1 & 2, you don't have to worry about readers being confused.

2. The stories in section 1 & section 2 are happening simultaneously: This need not be conveyed within the sections if-

Most readers will probably treat each section as an independent story if you write it that way. But it should be possible to give just enough information to keep the reader involved in the larger story.

Original score: 1