tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post5199798808184215359..comments2023-10-30T07:08:09.860-07:00Comments on It's a Mystery: Tick TockElspeth Futcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-13972782728039076662011-02-08T02:55:28.899-08:002011-02-08T02:55:28.899-08:00I like the idea of making even a small race agains...I like the idea of making even a small race against time in a book...a character late to something. They're hurrying and XYZ happens, which adds a little bit of tension to the story.Elizabeth Spann Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15625595247828274405noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-45857466126489190762011-02-07T17:11:33.008-08:002011-02-07T17:11:33.008-08:00Good point(s) here. I have been astounded more tha...Good point(s) here. I have been astounded more than once to have my editor point out a timeline inconsistency. So important to be mindful of, and sometimes it takes a fresh set of eyes to 'see' the error. We as authors get so involved in our stories we can lose sight of the trees through the forest.The Old Sillyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09661188622348794193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-56543738977720874952011-02-07T14:55:29.903-08:002011-02-07T14:55:29.903-08:00Elspeth - That whole timeline thing is so importan...Elspeth - That whole timeline thing is so important!! The ticking clock definitely adds to the suspense, but sometimes that slow buildup of tension works beautifully, too. I honestly think it depends on the kind of story the author is trying to tell. But either way, I agree completely: the author really does need to pay attention to the timeline and make some decisions.<br /><br />I've also Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-37211042598896620702011-02-07T14:24:08.319-08:002011-02-07T14:24:08.319-08:00Maryann; That is an *excellent* idea. I shall scri...Maryann; That is an *excellent* idea. I shall scribble it down forthwith.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-17590770908993140372011-02-07T14:18:43.802-08:002011-02-07T14:18:43.802-08:00I have started making a note at the beginning of c...I have started making a note at the beginning of chapters as to the time-line. I have a horrible time keeping days and times of days straight unless I do that. Then when I am finished with the ms, I delete all those notes. And all the others I wrote to myself to keep clues, and people, and suspects straight.Maryannwriteshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479027709233807149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-42974324758353024052011-02-07T13:40:12.750-08:002011-02-07T13:40:12.750-08:00Carol; I haven't worn a watch for years. I kee...Carol; I haven't worn a watch for years. I keep meaning to start wearing one again. It irks me not to know the time.Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-72315825623178924902011-02-07T11:48:56.233-08:002011-02-07T11:48:56.233-08:00I've done the two-Mondays thing, only mine was...I've done the two-Mondays thing, only mine was a Thursday. Of course I don't wear a watch either. Great post.Carol Kilgorehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15168273312704732896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-2505008327129107922011-02-07T11:48:20.577-08:002011-02-07T11:48:20.577-08:00Mary; HUZZAH!Mary; HUZZAH!Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-15583389763806931182011-02-07T11:40:37.090-08:002011-02-07T11:40:37.090-08:00"Give your readers a ride." Love this li..."Give your readers a ride." Love this line. It's so freeing, inspirational. I see roller coasters or rafting.Mary@GigglesandGunshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07350818228268801008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-87883967266516762902011-02-07T10:49:41.793-08:002011-02-07T10:49:41.793-08:00Terry; I've never heard of an editor saying th...Terry; I've never heard of an editor saying the murder happened too soon. Good luck in your work delaying the deed.<br /><br />Elisa; We DO live in the same world! I don't know if I'd want to actually live in the worlds I put my plots into - although the lack of money worries and abundance of servants would be pleasant. Now, if someone could just blink and put me into one of 'Elspeth Futcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10330102545384369360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-62388251742044509162011-02-07T10:41:50.036-08:002011-02-07T10:41:50.036-08:00I wonder if the fact that no two clocks in my apt ...I wonder if the fact that no two clocks in my apt are set to the same time has anything to do w/ my problems w/ keeping timelines straight in my novels-in-progress...<br /><br />I really love how much we get to play in the sandbox (wink wink) of our stories, be it w/ time or place or characters, and so on. I so want to live in that coffeeshop world I created, and be in that place where work isn&#Elisahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08399296868934652020noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4538744000429800248.post-74904879982351725982011-02-07T10:40:18.997-08:002011-02-07T10:40:18.997-08:00Today's goal for my revisions is to establish ...Today's goal for my revisions is to establish the new timeline. Strangely (IMHO) the editor said the murder happened too soon in the proposal, so I have to add more time up front. <br /><br />Terry<br /><a href="http://terryodell.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Terry's Place</a><br /><a href="http://www.terryodell.com" rel="nofollow">Romance with a Twist--of Mystery</a>Terry Odellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11610682530545306687noreply@blogger.com