1) Holidays

If you’re working with a short time-jump, holidays can be a great marker to show how much time has passed. Let’s say, for example, you’re working within a year of your character’s life. Let’s say your story opens with the ball dropping on New Years’ and you want to jump between this moment and the following fall the next year.

Create a birthday in September that your character is preparing for so that the reader can know where they’ve jumped to in time. Or simply have the characters discussing that Halloween is coming up and what their plans are. Having a significant event on the day that you pick the story back up will also help answer questions as to why this is where the story resumes.

2) Physical Appearance

Another way to clearly show your readers a passage of time has occurred is through changes in the various characters’ appearances. For example, perhaps your protagonist got a haircut or started dressing with a different style or got a piercing. Perhaps one of their friends has lost weight or started dressing more extravagantly. These noticeable physical changes indicate to the reader that enough time has passed for appearances to alter to a significant degree.

3) School or Work

Where a character is with their school or career is also an excellent indicator of the passage of time. We go through life entering into different modes of school and then different jobs so switching up your character’s current circumstances would make sense if years pass over the time jump you’re creating. Perhaps they’ve finally finished school and entered the workforce or maybe they left the job they worked in the beginning of your story for something new.

4) Location

As time passes we oftentimes change our locations as well by moving around. This could come in many forms though depending on your character and their circumstances. The change here could be as simple as a character moving to a new apartment or buying a home. It could be that they move to a new city than they were previously located in the story. Or it could even come in the form of your character suddenly being more worldly, having traveled a lot during the time that is being skipped over.

5) Friends and Relationships

Friendships and relationships will also change as time goes on over the years. This can mean some friendships slip away and a character that your protagonist was previously close with is no longer their friend. It could mean the nature of the relationship has changed as well. For example, a friend has a baby and now your protagonist doesn’t see them as often. It could also mean the reverse and a previously strained relationship could have been reconciled over this time. They could even have some new friends that the reader hasn’t met before, though you’ll have to provide believable circumstances as to how these friendships formed.

6) Personality, Habits, Mannerisms

People’s personalities also deeply change as time progresses. Think back on who you were ten years ago and you’re likely very different from the person you are today. This will happen to your characters as well. Consider the length of the time jump you’re attempting to write first. If it’s only a year your character likely won’t be unrecognizably different, but if it’s something drastic like five years we will see more dramatic changes. Consider the events that happen between the two moments in time and how those moments will change your protagonist. How will they shape their personality, habits, hobbies, and mannerisms for the remainder of the story?

The post Show Don’t Tell: Time appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.

Our Dorrance authors know a thing or two about entertaining, and many of them put their expertise into words for all to read. So without further ado, here’s a sampling of three of our Dorrance-published cookbooks right from the Dorrance Bookstore!

Grandma’s Back to Basics All Natural More Than Just a Cookbook – This isn’t your typical cookbook! Dorrance author Teresa Thompson, pairs her delicious recipes with helpful notes and hints along the way. There is also a variety of suggestions and solutions to problems that many cooks experience while in the kitchen. If you or your loved ones suffer from food allergies like Thompson, this cookbook contains a variety of allergen-free recipes that are perfect for the cook of any level. Thompson also provides you with the tips you need to prevent your perfect pie from spilling over during the baking process. That’s just the beginning; give Grandma’s Back to Basics All Natural More Than Just a Cookbook a try this holiday season!

For the Love of Pumpkins – Marilyn Alice Tuckman’s love for all things pumpkin is evident in her book, For the Love of Pumpkins. In this cookbook, readers learn how to incorporate fresh and canned pumpkin, as well as hulled pumpkin seeds, into 100 irresistible recipes. From soups to savory side dishes, light entrees to snacks to, of course, dessert, this cookbook will have you covered no matter the meal this holiday season! In addition to the recipes, there is plenty of useful information that will help you know what to look for when buying pumpkins, how to seed and peel fresh pumpkins, and how to make homemade pumpkin puree. For the Love of Pumpkins is definitely a cookbook that you want in your hands this holiday season!

The Instant Wine Connoisseur – A holiday get-together is a wonderful time to enjoy fine wines and spirits with your loved ones. A shared love of wine inspired Dorrance authors Mervyn L. Hecht and John Blanchette, to collaborate on The Instant Wine Connoisseur. In this Dorrance-published book, readers get a glimpse into the art of wine and food pairings. You’ll discover famous chefs and restaurants from around the world, try their recipes, and learn about the best areas of the world for wine production. The information in this book will give novice or refined wine drinkers a better understanding of the different tastes of wines and their sources. This knowledge will help you pair your holiday menu with the perfect wine!

With any good party, food is what brings people together. This year, spice up your menu with some recipes and ideas from these books, and start a new wave of traditions for you and your family!

Copyright Dorrance Publishing, 2016

The post Dorrance Publishing’s Guide to Holiday Cooking appeared first on Dorrance Publishing Company.