A BOOK with two time periods is called a split-time novel or a dual-timeline book. These books combine two stories into one cohesive narrative and often feature one storyline in the present day. The alternating timelines create a sense of mystery and suspense that keeps readers engaged and intrigued. The pacing of each timeline is different, but the emotional cadence of the story arcs should stay in sync.
Dual-timeline books can include family sagas, second-chance love stories, and long-time-coming revenge. You will find all these elements within The Night Belongs To Lovers.
There’s a good reason for telling my story in this manner; I strove to enable the reader to see how past and present inform each other. Why did I want to write multiple timelines? Is this a story that can only be, or best be, told through various sets of eyes, through past and present timelines? For what I wanted to convey with my tale—the answer to that is yes.
The past lives of my two immortal protagonists enrich their present story, adding texture and meaning and lifting one of the main narrative objectives: relationship and world-building. Though I use the narrative technique of “flashback” within my novel, working only with this wouldn’t have done justice to the emotional impact and historical context I wanted to infuse into my story. Flashbacks are often portrayed through visual imagery, dialogue, or written prose, creating a glimpse into the past that shapes the present. I wanted—no, I needed more than a glimpse.
A dual-timeline story intricately weaves together the threads of different eras, creating a tapestry where the past
and the present resonate with one another in a profound and complementary manner. At its core, my novel invites readers to explore deeper themes, probing into how the historical events and past actions, choices, and misunderstandings shaped my characters’ lives and decisions in their contemporary settings, fostering a sense of connection with the characters and their journey.
The narrative connects the two timeframes, where echoes of the past linger in the present, influencing current choices and relationships. I use this narrative device to describe incidents in the lives of Olympius and Coriolanus, incorporating events from their human years through the centuries (as blood-drinking, immortal gods) up to the twenty-first century, from ancient North Africa and Italy to present-day Toronto, Canada.
Stepping over the Prologue, The Night Belongs To Lovers truly begins sometime in the 5th century BCE, merely an hour after the death of the historical figure, Gnaeus Marcius Coriolanus. The exact year or date of the Roman General’s birth is unknown, but historical records suggest he was born in either the 5th or 6th century BCE. Some sources estimate his birthdate to be around 511 BCE. For my version of the character, I chose to set his birth in the mid-5th century BCE.
Olympius was made a god shortly after his eighteenth birthday, not long after Rome’s founding (in 750 BCE). I wanted him to be at least 200 years older than Coriolanus, but it had to work within the accurate time frame of Rome’s earliest beginnings. The chapters set in the past focus on the first two years of Coriolanus’ life as a god. Then, after the flashback sequences in Fortuna’s chapter, the story is entirely set in the present.
Pacing is crucial in weaving a compelling narrative in any novel that navigates multiple timelines. Each timeline unfolds its own rhythm, with the speed of events advancing in varied measures, yet the emotional cadence of the overarching story arcs must remain harmonious. As the narrative flows, the more playful, light-hearted, even sexier moments should coalesce, offering a refreshing reprieve from the darker, more tumultuous turns.
These junctures should plunge the reader into moments of intense emotional weight, making them feel deeply engaged and invested in the story. This deliberate orchestration of pace ensures that readers are drawn deeper into the narrative, making it difficult for them to stop at any particular place/chapter as they become increasingly absorbed in the intricacies of the multi-layered story.
Did I accomplish this? That’s for each individual reader to decide for themselves. (But I’m rather pleased with the final result if I say so myself—and I just did.)
While I wholly believe the method I chose—dual narrative—enriches my story, it also presented some challenges. Balancing the pacing and emotional cadence of the two timelines was a delicate task, and ensuring that each timeline contributed meaningfully to the overall narrative was a constant consideration. It may not appeal to all readers, but it’s a technique I enjoy as a reader and feel quite connected to as an author. Will I use it again? Maybe. It depends on the story. That said, I predict that if I do another Haunted Hearts tale of romance, terror, and queerness, it maaaaaay just show up again. Be pleased by this announcement—or be warned. 🙂
Some of my favourite split-time novels are: The Witching Hour by Anne Rice, The Return by Brad Boney, Apparitions by Adam Pottle, and The Haunting of Kinnawe House by Steven Rigolosi. Check them out.
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