Hello all
When a period of time passes in a story, you often see an asterisk (*) in between the paragraphs showing the end of one period of time to the beginning of another. My question is do you think this is necessary when only two weeks have passed?
Hi and thanks for the comments.
Adrian commented about seeing what I have written. To give a bit more detail, one paragraph ends with the central character being attacked. The next paragraph takes place roughly a fortnight after so I thought about having the asterisk there.
Anne, with regards to your common sense answer, I do actually mention in the story about the time that has passed, although I still thought it seemed a bit quick going from the attack to a fortnight later in just a standard new paragraph. Having said that, your reply, coupled with Lorraine's suggestion of trying it with and without the asterisk, might just have convinced me to give it go without it.
Thanks again for the responses. I don't post here that much but I've appreciated all the input I receive when do post. I read the posts all the time and I always find it a helpful forum.
Just a common sense answer, sorry. why not just write two weeks later ? I write sci fi and I would need a lot of blank spaces for 2 billion years.
Are you asking about the asterisk or the space? You need a space; time has passed, and this should be noted. How else is your reader to recognise the pause? The asterisk is optional - I'd keep that for a major scene break.
The simplest idea is to lay out your page with and without and see what looks best to you.