Destany

I have written the first eight chapters of my novel in 1st person pov, my character being the age of six. Big things happen to him at this age, and there's quite a lot of detail.

I'm coming up to the point where he will jump to the age of twelve. This, again, is where something crucial happens and this stage will last through about three or four chapters.

He jumps again to the age of sixteen, where the plot plunges forward, a big secret is revealed that changes his line of thinking. He's also introduced to some new characters in his life. It's a big plot change and a life change for him as he transitions into apprentiship, moves, meets his future wife, etc.
This will be about seven our eight chapters.

Then he jumps to his final age in the book, 20. This is where he sits comfortably, enjoying his new house, career, marriage and soon to be child, when a tragedy strikes, the unforseen consequences that have been descreetly building through the book bring about the climactic end.
This will be about eight to nine chapters.

My question is, should I "fast-forward", or should I simply break off and have the book divided up into four parts? Should I do both?
I hate to fast-forward because it seems to forced in many books, a full six years of a persons life condensed to a few paragraphs, is it really worth the extra ink? But to break it off and pick up again six years later, will that alienate the character from the reader, won't they feel they have to get to know him all over again?

What are your thoughts and opinions on this?

RebelGoddess

I would suggest just making it a new chater for each 'jump'.

You could start off the chapter with your character reminiscing or thinking about his/her surroundings in a way that shows growth and maturity.

If you keep elements of the 6 year old's personality in the 12 year old's and so on, then the reader will stay connected with him/her.

Racheal

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journyman161

also, try to use your story to locate the reader in time as soon as possible after the jump. Something like - Four years hadn't brought much change to school...

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Destany

Those are both great suggestions. I think I'll go ahead and divide up into four parts, to at least prepare the reader (who flips through the pages on first glance) that a jump is ahead...
And then I'll do a chapter either before or after the break to either fast-forward, or catch-up.
Which would you recommend?

Hand

How would you write a flashback that is yet to happen?

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Destany

The story is written in past tense. My character is writing it from the distant future, as if he were an old man recounting his childhood to when he is grown.

Xion Night

You could have something like,
"End Chapter (#).

Part II

The years then passed swiftly, with the ever occurring events of childhood. I had problems, triumphs and eventually let //some significant event in Part I// slip out of my memory. It was about six years later (my, how time flies.) when another event wrenched my life from normality. I had just turned twelve, and..."
Then continue into your story.


That was a fairly smooth transition, but on the other hand, you could have a sudden change with no hint of transitional life;
"End Chapter (#).

Part II

And then I was twelve. My birthday had just passed..."
Then continue into your story.


Then, on the other other hand, you could have a chapter or so completely dedicated to each transition, so long as an event (not nessecarily significant, but purposeful) happens in them.

Waka waka doo doo yeah!

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Destany

I like your first suggestion, the smooth transition. I'll have to tie up some loose ends before I move on, but I like the way that comes across. His sixth year was so eventful, and extremely important to the entire plot, to cut it off starkly like the second idea would be too big of a cliff hanger...
And fast-forwarding as I said before, often sounds forced and rushed. I think I should just jump it and take a chapter to reflect.

Thanks!