: Re: Jumping between points in time in narrative Is it acceptable for a writer to jump back in time for a whole chapter? I don't mean a flashback, I mean more like, for example, chapter 5 happening

@Goswami879

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Jumping around in time is the sort of narrative technique that you need a very compelling reason to include. It requires more work of the reader and so it also needs to provide commensurate reward. Assuming you're writing a story that's more or less plot-driven, that means you're not including literary devices solely for their own aesthetic value.

Which means time-skips should only be used to control the flow of information. It's also advisable, although not strictly necessary, to restrict the switches to different groups of characters in different locations. An example: in chapter one you follow events in a besieged city, and in chapter two you switch to showing events leading up to the siege, but from the point of view of the attacking army, camped some miles away. This will usually help with clarity and make it easier for readers to follow.

Of course, the bottom line is, you can use any device you want as often as you want. The real question is, is the benefit worth the expense?

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