Timeline Disrupted

Writing a novel is an exciting, creative process, but it’s not without its challenges. One of the most common issues writers face—myself included—is keeping the timeline straight. It might sound simple, but when you’re juggling multiple characters, subplots, and events, it’s surprisingly easy for things to go off track. Let me share my own experience and how I turned a timeline mishap into some of my favorite moments in Taken for Granted.

The Timeline Tangle

I realized something was wrong when I reached Days 6 and 7 in my novel. Riley, my main character, was waking up to head to school… on what should have been a Saturday and Sunday. Oops. It’s one of those moments that can make a writer stop in their tracks and question everything: How did I miss this? How do I fix it?

Trust the Process

Fortunately for me, Taken for Granted had room to grow. The story was light enough at that point that adding new chapters not only fixed the issue but also enhanced the book in ways I hadn’t anticipated. That extra weekend became an opportunity to dive deeper into my characters’ lives and relationships.

For instance, the Art Gallery scenes you might recognize from the novel? They didn’t originally exist. Adding those chapters allowed me to lay a stronger foundation for Sam and Riley’s relationship, giving their connection more depth and meaning. Looking back, it’s hard to imagine the story without those moments.

This taught me an invaluable lesson: mistakes aren’t always setbacks. Sometimes they’re opportunities in disguise. Trust the process and give yourself permission to explore solutions, even if they weren’t part of the original plan.

Adjusting Existing Timelines

When adding new chapters isn’t the right solution, another approach is to adjust your existing timeline. This might involve pushing earlier scenes back to make room for new events or pulling later scenes forward to better align with the flow of the story. It’s like rearranging puzzle pieces until everything fits.

For example, if your character is supposed to experience a significant event on a Friday but your timeline has them waking up for school on a Sunday, consider shifting the timeline so that earlier events take place earlier in the week. Alternatively, you could condense certain scenes to create more space for critical plot points.

Adjusting timelines can be tricky, but it’s a valuable tool for maintaining consistency without sacrificing pacing or character development. The key is to stay flexible and open to changes that ultimately strengthen your story.

When Adjustments Aren’t Enough

Depending on your story, creating extra content might disrupt the pacing or throw off the balance. In those cases, you may need to shift scenes around or even cut them altogether.

Cutting scenes is one of the hardest parts of editing, but it’s also one of the most important. There were many moments in Taken for Granted that I loved writing but ultimately had to remove because they didn’t serve the story. As much as it stung to say goodbye to certain scenes, I knew they weren’t contributing to the plot or my characters’ journeys. And that’s the key: every scene, every event, every conversation should move the story forward or reveal something essential about your characters.

Embrace the Imperfections

Writing is rarely a linear process. Mistakes are inevitable, but they’re also opportunities to grow as a storyteller. Whether you’re fixing a timeline issue, cutting unnecessary scenes, or finding new ways to deepen your characters, remember that every adjustment brings you closer to creating a polished, cohesive story.

So, if you find yourself tangled in a timeline problem or any other writing hurdle, don’t panic. Take a step back, assess your options, and trust the process. You might just stumble upon something unexpected and wonderful—a moment, a scene, or even an entire subplot—that elevates your story to the next level.