I'm thinking about making a nonlinear story, but I'm not sure how to go about it. I've already created a summary of the story so I know what happens chronologically, but I think the story would be better told out of order. Do you have any tips for how I could go about doing that without it being confusing, and while making it feel like plot progression is being made?
One thing to remember is that a non-linear story should still fit in a traditional story structure - ie, you build from the beginning to a climax to an end as the story goes along. So, a quick rundown:
Act 1 - Character and world introduction. Here lies introduction to the problem the story will be centered on.
Inciting Event - The No Turning Back moment. This is whatever kicks the main character out of act one. It doesn’t have to be explosive, but it does have to cut off any chance of returning to the way things were.
Act 2a - Character tries to solve the problem the wrong way, usually by avoiding a personal truth about themselves. (Let’s say, non-linearly, you are following the character as an child and adult. Both make mistakes in this act that could be attributed to doing things the wrong way.
Midpoint - I like to think of this as the False Victory or the False Defeat. Something big happens, but positive or negative, it only makes the problem worse.
Act 2b - Character starts solving problem the right way (facing that truth about themselves, reaching out to allies, falling in love, etc), but the bad guys/antagonistic forces are closing in for the climax. (In a non-linear plot, we should be seeing how the threads are tied together now.)
Climax - Victory or defeat in face of the problem. You probably want to stick to one timeline here, as we should know by now where the plot is going.
Denouement - The wrapping up. If there’s a sequel, this is a cliffhanger, a vow for vengeance, or snapshot of the problems to come. You probably still want to stick with one timeline here, but slipping in some non-linear scenes - the main character as a child learning something that reflects in the ending - could work.
If you keep in mind the underpinning of the novel, you can do a non-linear story. Just remember what you need your readers to know and when they need to know it. A great non-linear story is N. K. Jemisin’s The Fifth Season, and I highly recommend it for a quick study.
