A Split in Time: How to Write Dual Timeline, Split Time, and Time-Slip Fiction

by Melanie Dobson, Morgan Tarpley Smith

What are the key elements to writing a time-slip novel? Where do you start in your plot? How do you weave together multiple storylines?

In A Split in Time, time-slip authors Melanie Dobson and Morgan Tarpley Smith help fellow writers navigate and then master the challenges of writing a novel with two or more storylines. Within these pages you’ll find:

· Thirteen key components for split time fiction

· Practical tips on building the time-slip structure

· Interviews with bestselling novelists like Lisa Wingate and Susan Meissner

· Analyses of multi-storyline techniques

· Resources to build compelling split time characters, craft your ideas, and weave together multiple timelines

Whether you are a seasoned writer ready for a new journey or a first-time novelist wanting to learn the split timeline format, this workshop-in-a-book provides the necessary skills to weave two or more compelling stories into one time-slip novel!

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, How To

120 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 13, 2020

About the author

Writing fiction is a fun excuse for Melanie to explore ghost towns and old houses, travel to unusual places, and spend hours reading dusty books and journals. She writes both contemporary and historical fiction with threads of romance and suspense.

Melanie is the award-winning author of almost thirty time-slip, historical romance, suspense, and contemporary novels including Catching the Wind, The Winter Rose, and The Wings of Poppy Pendleton. Five of her novels including Chateau of Secrets have won Carol Awards, Catching the Wind won the Audie 2018 Inspirational Fiction award, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana. Catching the Wind and Memories of Glass were both finalists for Christy Awards in historical fiction.

Melanie and her husband, Jon, have two daughters. After moving numerous times with Jon's work, the Dobsons have finally settled near Portland, Oregon, and they love to travel and hike in both the mountains and the cliffs above the Pacific. When Melanie isn't writing or researching, she enjoys line dancing, biking, and making up stories with her kids.

More information about her and her books is available on her website at www.melaniedobson.com. You can also connect with Melanie at www.facebook.com/melaniedobsonfiction.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very happy I bought this book! I've long wanted to write a split-time story, since I love reading them. A writer friend mentioned this book to me last week, so I ordered it for my Kindle, and was floored by all the great information I got. A fast read, clear and concise, with lots of examples, it gives me the confidence needed to start mapping out the story I want to tell--with this book by my side as a reference, of course! And P.S. As a reader, it's also a good resource that helps you see what makes a good split-time story.

[Tabitha Bouldin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent resource for those interested in split timeline. With excellent examples and tips and tricks that will have you well on your way in no time (pun intended), you don’t want to miss out on this book.


Melanie and Morgan have a knack for weeding through the tough pitfalls of writing in different times while simultaneously joining the story together.

[Jennifer Leo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A big help for authors writing stories that move between two or more time periods. Brought a lot of clarity to the process for me. Short but packed with useful info from authors who know what they're talking about.

[Sarah]

I've just recently started running into Split time novels and I love the idea. As I writer, I really loved getting a peek into the ins and outs of writing one and different authors' ideas on the subject.

[A.M. Heath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid overview of how to write a dual timeline novel. It helped to solidify my understanding, but would be best for authors who are intimated by the genre and writing in it for the first time.

[Carole Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Split in Time has earned a prominent place on my bookshelf. I have read several of the books mentioned and love the way they were analyzed. Each was broken down into easy-to-understand steps so the basic method could be mimicked if you prefer that particular style. My first novel is a contemporary split time separated only by a few years. I wish I'd had A Split in Time before I began writing it. This book makes me want to write another split time novel. I cannot wait to try the checklist, worksheets, and exercises that the authors have included at the end of the book. Thank you, Morgan and Melanie. You are an inspiration!

[Beth Foreman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great help for new split-time writers from two experienced writers. I wish I had this when I started because their guidelines would have saved me a lot of time and deleted scenes, characters! Good checklists and recommendations. Happy to have this little gem on my reference shelf.

[Morgan Smith]

Some information on "A Split in Time: How to Write Dual Timeline, Split Time, and Time-Slip Fiction":



* Get your copy of this workshop-in-a-book TODAY! >> https://rb.gy/rdidci

* This book provides tips on how to write the split time genre, essential elements for your story, examples to review, interviews with other time-slip writers, and practical resources to help structure your ideas.

* Highlight of the Book: INTERVIEWS with popular split time authors to get their take on this burgeoning genre and what works for them

* INTERACTIVE worksheets and exercises to analyze your current time-slip novel or build upon a new idea.

* Whether you are a seasoned writer ready for a new journey or a first-time novelist wanting to learn the split timeline format, this workshop-in-a-book provides the necessary skills to weave two or more compelling stories into one time-slip novel!

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-read for those considering writing split-time fiction.

Melanie Dobson and Morgan Tarpley-Smith break down the intricacies of what it takes to write in this way.

The author interviews, dissecting split-time novels, exercises, and split-time groups you can join all add to "demystify" this style of writing.

I read it all in one night, highlighted it so it practically glows, and can't wait to do my version of plotting.

Thank you, Melanie Dobson and Morgan Tarpley-Smith for this wonderful book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book on the craft of writing a split-time/timeslip/dual-time novel. I appreciated the quick, easy how-to tips, and also the interviews from authors who have successfully written in the genre before. It's a great go-to for anyone looking to try their hand at this fun genre.

[Marguerite Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for authors

Thank you Morgan and Melanie for this jewel. It is a tool I will use in the future. I’m off to find a split time novel to read and dissect !

[Debbie Wentworth Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book helpful to writers interested in writing dual timeline fiction, fiction that has two or more plotlines, usually set in different times. Dobson and Smith define the style of writing and list several books as examples. They devote one chapter to the elements common to the genre. I think it's helpful to be reading this genre while reading this chapter. They seem to crowd these elements into the chapter, and I found it daunting to keep it all straight. They go on to analyze a couple books, interview several authors, and describe ways that various writers organize their research and writing. They end with three worksheets to help the author beginning to write the genre, and a list of helpful books and websites. The analysis and author interviews helped me clarify the earlier how-to chapter.

[Emily Yager · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a handy resource for writing dual timeline fiction. It offers points to think about and plenty of "research" stories to study by authors who have written it successfully. I only wished it went more in depth on some areas, but it is handy for authors who want to learn more or to try their hand at this subgenre.

[Brandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for split-time fiction authors

Split-time fiction brings a unique set of challenges to authors willing to attempt the format. This short guide nails down key insights for writing powerful stories for this beloved niche genre.

[Mishael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very helpful and inspiring book for anyone who is interested in sinking their teeth into this genre. I better understand now what I need to do with a particularly challenging book idea, as well as how to better execute an old book idea I abandoned over 10 years ago when I was told "there's no market for this kind of story."

Well, obviously, there is a market for this kind of story now. I'm going to dust off that old idea and give it a whirl!

[Darcy Schock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight and to the point, this book on writing split time novels is incredibly helpful. Mixed with how to write a time slip, how to study a favorite time slip novel, checklists for writing your own, and interviews with time slip novelists you will both be inspired and educated as you begin your journey in writing time slips.

[Sandy Frykholm · Rating 4 out of 5]

For writers considering dual or multiple timeline novels, this book outlines many considerations, and includes interviews with several successful authors of split-time novels. A short easy read with thought-provoking questions to help writers develop their stories.

[Jane Carlile Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent how-to on writing split-time novels. I'd have given it a 5, but it gets redundant yowatd the end.

[Marina Osipova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational. Invaluable!
This is a book for aspiring and seasoned writers who seek advice on how to write dual time or slip-time novels. I already published six historical fiction novels but learned so much from this relatively short book! After reading and seriously studying it, I feel inspired to try this new for me genre. Invaluable source for anyone who is interested. Highly recommended.