timelines in YA stories

[LUNABLUE]

Hi there, looking for some opinions.

The timeline in my YA novel spans 30 years, and due to the nature of my story, it is not written sequentially. I would appreciate anyones opinion, if they think YA readers will/won't be able to deal with this type of writing.

Thanks in advance

Lunablue.

[Barb D]

Flashbacks? Random bouncing around with no context to tell the reader when it is?

[LUNABLUE]

Hi Barb, I guess my post was incomplete. There is only one flashback scene, and I have dated each chapter according to the timeline.

[Mumut]

I think YA readers can take anything as long as it is interesting and there is purpose in the time span. If that is the story, you have to tell it.

[regdog]

I think it would be okay since you've given the different dates and don't keep jumping around in the chapters referencing actions and conversations in different times

[Danthia]

What do you mean by spans 30 years?

If it's 30 years of the protag's life, it's not a YA novel. YA novels have teen protags in the here and now. Retrospective teen protags are classified as adult novels.

If it follows various teen lives over a span of 30 years, and the teens are always in the "now" even if that now is in the past, then sure, go for it.

[LUNABLUE]

Hi everyone, thanks for the comments, they are really helpful. Danthia, the novel is fantasy. The protag is a teen, but the antag character is developed over the course of 30 years to demonstrate the actions that twisted him.

LB

[Danthia]

Then you're fine ;)

[Madisonwrites]

Hey, sounds interesting. And that's the thing. YA readers want something interesting so stick with that and you should be fine. :)

[TWK]

Luna: I was in the exact situation, only I cut all my flashbacks. The story worked well enough with little backstory because I had the villain himself do a lot of the telling.

[LUNABLUE]

Thanks TWK, that sounds like a great idea.
LB

[Maprilynne]

You'll have to do it well, but it can definitely be done.:)