Novels which delve into the past and reveal information that impacts on a contemporary storyline have an enduring attraction to me as a reader. I love the juxtaposition of characters and timelines. At the start of any new writing project, I set myself a challenge. With my third novel The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell I wanted to experiment with dual timelines and write a compelling story using this structure. Already I had in mind the characters: Carolyn, a vulnerable teenager in the 1970s and one of her contemporaries, now a menopausal redundant journalist in 2014. Here is what I learnt about dual timeline novels from the process of writing one.
Author Gail Aldwin
Cinematic effect
Switching between timelines relies on visual and aural cues to locate the reader into a particular time and place. The inclusion of period details gives context to the unfolding story. It could be a reference to décor or furniture of the time, fashion or music. Product placement in terms of food items is also helpful. The rise in popularity of Prosecco hooks readers into the contemporary timeline whereas reference to Vesta chow mein relates very much to the 1970s. Aural cues can be seen through the dialogue. For the teenage Carolyn in the 1970s there is talk of being chucked whereas as contemporary vernacular would refer to her being dumped. It is by providing linked experiences between the two narratives and the two characters that seamless transitions from one timeline to another can be achieved.
Story arcs
Both timelines must be complete in terms of having an effective story arc. This means character development is observed within each narrative. In The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell the device of a podcast is used to investigate happenings in 1979 which then impact on the 2014 timeline. While the two narratives are equally important in telling the story, in The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell, the contemporary story dominates because it is through this means misunderstandings and ill-judged decisions from the past can be seen.
Interwoven narratives
One of the joys of writing The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell has been to show that the insecurities of youth are also echoed in middle-age where underlying sensitivities rise to the surface. I felt it was important to acknowledge that feelings of vulnerability and awkward social interactions occur at whatever season of life the characters are in. The interwoven narratives also offer the opportunity to reveal information (which is unknown to the character in the other timeline). This heightens tension and creates jeopardy. With an overall view of what’s going on in the story, the reader knows more than the characters.
Endings
Both timelines require an ending which seals the plot. Sometimes this creates a double reveal. To bookend The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell it’s chapters from Stephanie which open and end the novel.
The Author
Gail Aldwin
Novelist, poet and scriptwriter, Gail Aldwin has been writing for over a decade. Her first two coming-of-age novels were runners-up in the Dorchester Literary Festival Writing Prize 2020 and 2022. Gail was awarded a creative writing PhD in 2018 and still laughs whenever she’s called Doctor. She has appeared at Bridport Literary Festival, Stockholm Writers Festival and the Mani Lit Fest in Greece. Her psychological suspense mystery The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell is published by Bloodhound Books. Gail splits her time between a tiny flat in South West London and a home overlooking water meadows in Dorset.
Gail is active on social media and loves connecting with readers and writers.
Do get in touch.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gailaldwin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gailaldwinwriter/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gailfaldwin/
Blog: https://gailaldwin.com
The Book
The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell
A true-crime podcaster investigates a decades-old suspected abduction, in this powerful psychological suspense novel
1979 Sixteen-year-old Carolyn Russell grows increasingly infatuated with her school mathematics teacher who is also giving her private lessons. Then she disappears.
2014 Struggling journalist Stephanie Brett creates a true-crime podcast focused on the disappearance of Carolyn Russell. By digging deep into this mysterious cold case, her confidence and flagging career are boosted. But after she confronts the suspects—and talks to a potential witness—the leads dry up. However, Stephanie refuses to let the story rest. . .
Can a small-time journalist with a shoestring podcast really hope to reconstruct the ultimate fate of Carolyn Russell after all these years, or are some secrets best left buried?
The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell is published by Bloodhound Books.
Credits
‘Takes hold of the head and the heart and simply does not let go’ Jacquelyn Mitchard, No.1 New York Times bestselling author of The Good Son
‘Captures the zeitgeist for each period with telling accuracy’ Suzanne Goldring, bestselling author of My Name is Eva
‘A rare and thrilling book that manages to be thoughtful and intelligent’ Joanna Barnard, author of Hush Little Baby
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