Hello
When a period of time passes in a story, it can be shown using an asterisk (or two or three) between paragraphs, or using an extra space between paragraphs.
I'm working on one just now where only a fortnight has passed. The main character is attacked, then the story jumps forward to a fortnight later.
Do you think this is too short a time period to indicate using the above techniques? Could I start a new paragraph as normal and just mention the time that has passed?
Andy
Hi and thanks for the replies/suggestions.
Susan and Jonathan, it's not a long enough story for chapters, it's really for submission to competitions or publications. I expect it'll be around 2500 words so a new chapter wouldn't be necessary. Susan, you mentioned starting the next paragraph WITHOUT an indent? Are all new paragraphs not supposed to be indented?
Adrian, you're right about having too many asterisks and white spaces and I think that's where mine was heading. I've had a rethink based on all your replies and I'll go without it.
I'd say start a new chapter, even if that makes the preceding one quite short. Line breaks are good for character or scene changes within the same timeframe but for me in this instance don't give the reader enough pause to allow the apparent time to pass.
Andrew, excellent question.
Skilful writers use white space and asterisks sparingly.
Usually, a break in the text occurs at a change of, Subject, Time, Place and Viewpoint, indicated by asterisks or a white space between sections of text.
However, the last thing you want is white space or asterisks after every few paragraphs, or after every half page of text.
Andy, you could solve your problem by 'Show Don't Tell'. Show the reader, the main character's recovery.
For example, 'John now faced days of frustration in his struggle to regain full fitness before he could even think of facing the big and difficult challenges ahead. (or similar). I'm sure you get the idea.
Andy, whenever you jump forward in time, change the subject, place or viewpoint, ask yourself, have I said all I can before moving on, or is it simply that I have run out of steam at this juncture.
By all means move forward with your storyline, but I'm sure after some thought you will be able to solve your problem from a afresh perspective.
I hope that helps.
Good luck.