Why You Must Show Time Passing in Your Novel

Your Next Draft

This is often overlooked, but it’s essential for great stories.
How do you make time pass?
Well, when you’re living your regular life in the real world, you don’t have to do anything.
Time is constantly passing, no matter what you do. And when a timer goes off, or you look outside and see the sun’s gone down, or you feel your stomach growl with hunger, you notice time has passed.
You hardly have to think about it. It’s just happening, all around you, all the time.
In your novel, though—well, there, you are responsible for charting the passage of time. You are the filter who determines how time passes.
More than that, you are responsible for telling your readers how much time is going by.
It’s an essential part of storytelling, and yet it’s often overlooked. So in this episode, we’re talking about time.
You’ll learn:

• Why writers often forget to mention time passing
• 3 ways you can use time passing to enhance your story
• What happens when you don’t show how time is passing in your story
• 2 kinds of tension you can create using time
• And more!

I’ve read so many manuscripts where I lose track of time and have to ask the writer, “Wait, when does this happen?” Check out this episode and save yourself from this common oversight.

Send me a Text Message!

Get Your FREE Un-Put-Down-Able Scene Revision Worksheet

Make every page of your novel un-put-down-able with the Scene Revision Worksheet.
12 simple, but powerful questions will show you exactly where your scenes are working—and where they’re going off the rails.
Plus, a bonus 3-day email mini-course will show you how to use the worksheet to edit your scenes.
Get the worksheet + mini-course »

Support the Show.

Want more editing tips and resources? Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.

And if you're enjoying the podcast, would you mind leaving a rating and review on Apple Podcasts? That helps more writers find these editing resources. And it helps me know what's helpful to you so I can create more episodes you'll love!
Loving the show? Show your support with a monthly contribution »