The Details Are In The Calendar
Below is a MRR and PLR article in category Writing Speaking -> subcategory Writing.
The Importance of Calendars in Novel Writing
Summary:
Writing a novel has always been a dream of mine. When I began working on Shades of Darkness, Shades of Grace, I realized how crucial authentic details are to captivating fiction. Having a background in nonfiction, I was used to focusing on facts rather than descriptive elements. I discovered that using a calendar could greatly enhance the story's authenticity by anchoring it in real-world events and timelines.
Article:
Like many writers, penning a novel was always a dream. When I finally started on Shades of Darkness, Shades of Grace, I had a compelling story inspired by real-life events. Yet, with my background in nonfiction, focused more on facts than descriptions, I realized great fiction demands vivid detail that transports readers into its world. The revelation that transformed my writing was structuring the narrative around a calendar.
Seeking feedback, I shared an early draft with an editor from my writing group. While she appreciated the novel, she pointed out the absence of a distinct timeline. She suggested incorporating a calendar with specific dates and years to ground the story in reality. This approach not only improved my planning but allowed historical events, like Jesse Ventura's 1998 election as Minnesota's governor or Minneapolis's annual Aquatennial Festival in July, to enhance the book's authenticity.
I implemented her advice by devising a five-year calendar over which the story unfolds. This tool not only served as an organizational aid but also concentrated the events into a defined period. In reality, the inspirations for Shades of Darkness spanned a much longer time, risking a diffuse and meandering narrative. The calendar allowed these events to be condensed into a more engaging timeline.
Using real dates also intensified the dramatic impact of the narrative. For instance, a pivotal scene involves Paul Pierson’s arrest for domestic battery during a scheme by his ex-wife. By situating this event over the New Year’s holiday of 2000/2001, the calendar added tension: arrested on Saturday, December 30, 2000, Paul faced days in jail as banks wouldn’t reopen until Tuesday, January 2. This detail added urgency to his family’s scramble to raise bail.
Moreover, the calendar became a remedy for writer’s block. With a structured timeline, if I struggled with one chapter, I could easily shift focus and return later with fresh inspiration. Many authors find writing out-of-order more conducive to creativity than a linear approach. A calendar not only supports vivid storytelling but also helps track plot consistency and progress.
Initially, the calendar was just a skeletal outline of key scenes. From there, I developed individual scenes, layering in crucial details uncovered through research. These descriptions might include something as simple as Halloween’s weather or the unique experience of the Millennium, connecting readers through relatable experiences.
Details should captivate the reader, linking them to the characters, setting, and narrative. My editor taught me a vital lesson: for fiction to truly resonate, it requires authentic details. For many authors, these can often be embedded within the framework of a calendar.
In sum, utilizing a calendar can transform a novel, weaving reality and fiction seamlessly, and engaging readers with a world they can believe in.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: The Details Are In The Calendar.
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