timelines in YA stories

LUNABLUE · Sep 24, 2008

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 · Sep 24, 2008

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

LUNABLUE · Sep 24, 2008

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 · Sep 24, 2008

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 · Sep 25, 2008

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 · Sep 25, 2008

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 · Sep 25, 2008

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 · Sep 25, 2008

Then you're fine

Madisonwrites · Sep 25, 2008

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

TWK · Sep 25, 2008

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 · Sep 25, 2008

Thanks TWK, that sounds like a great idea.
LB

Maprilynne · Sep 26, 2008

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

timelines in YA stories

LUNABLUE

Barb D

LUNABLUE

Mumut

Well begun is half done...

regdog

The Scavengers

Danthia

LUNABLUE

Danthia

Madisonwrites

The Unicorn Writer

TWK

LUNABLUE

Maprilynne

Author Waiting in the Wings