If all my stories were told in a linear fashion, then it would be so much easier. But many readers will remember the tornado from three books ago. I realize that makes it confusing to go back and forth.
Same event, different houses:
Heart and Soul, Chapter 9
Laramie, Chapter 20
Why would I do this? Well, as secondary characters get their own stories, then you have to make sure things align. To tell the complete story, it is necessary to go back.
Some of you probably flat out don't care. You read the story because you might like a certain character. Or you just want the hot scenes, but it isn't important enough to commit to memory or keep the timeline straight.
But do you wonder if I do? After several books, I had to create a spreadsheet. That doesn't work well for this blog, but this is a synopsis if it interests anyone. If you've read the previous material, then there are no spoilers here.
Notes are by book and chapter:
5: Coffee at 9
6: Laramie
7: Say Goodbye to Sparkleland
8: A Bed, A Desk and My Unfortunate Soulmate
2022
Feb - Emory spills coffee on Cooper 5,1
March - Coffee at 9 meetings begin 5,2
July - Cooper meets Laramie 5,6
Oct - Corey goes to coffee for first time 5,9
Nov - Laramie and Cooper kiss 5,10
Dec - Cooper's love triangle 5,11; Emory and Don meet 9,1
2023
Jan - Cooper chooses Laramie - 5,12
Feb - Emory and Don have sex - 9,3
May - Don meets Don 9,5, Tampa 6,17
July - Natalie's wedding 6,18
Sept - "Signposts"; Isaiah dies 9,7
Oct - Corey and Laramie fight, Carter's first appearance 6,19
Nov - Mitch finishes therapy 7,23
Dec - Mitch and Layton date 7,24
2024
Jan - Mitch returns to coffee group 7,25
Feb - Mitch and Carter 7,26
March - "L.B." 7,28
April - Tornado 6,20; 9,9
May - Jakob's magazine 4,12
June - Mitch moves in 7,29
July - Vegas 6,21
Sept - Corey's license, Emory's stroke 6,21
2025
Jan - Mitch and L.B.'s new house 7,29
Feb - Aiden spends emotional night with Corey 6,22
Aug - Laramie's mother dies 6,22
2027
March - Corey and Laramie argue 6,24
May - Art exhibit 6,24
June - Corey's graduation 6,24
Aug - Notre Dame begins 8,1
Nov - Cooper and Laramie marry 8,4; Mitch's tattoo 7,29
Obviously there are more details than just this, and there are holes to fill in (eventually).
This is more of an informative blog post than an interesting one, but the tornado in Chapter 9 made me think that some readers would remember it and wonder how things fit together. One of my favorite television shows of all time was This Is Us. It was told much like my Jackson Bend series. I often wondered if they had a huge timeline over many years and slowly filled in the spaces.
To be honest, I never thought about it. I just figured you had a handle on it. But since you've done nine stories, I imagine such a list (or spreadsheet) would be helpful. As I looked at your notes here, it made me remember many things I enjoyed in previous stories but had forgotten. I should go back and read them again.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
T.B.
I think you are doing the right thing here. A Lot of work for you, thank you very much. I did remember the tornado.
ReplyDeleteYour chapters are always a treat to read, thank you!
K.