Weaving Two or More Stories into One

I’m often asked to explain my process for writing a dual-time novel. It’s a challenging journey and stretches me in many ways. First, let me share what I mean by dual-time or split-time. A dual-time novels typically weaves together two narratives, one set in the past and the other in the present or near past. Each storyline has its own arc, characters, and conflicts, but the true beauty lies in how they connect and illuminate themes in one another.

When I’m planning a dual-timeline novel, I often start by finding an incident or person in history that sparks a story idea. I especially like to look for people who are living out their faith in their daily lives. I focus my initial research on that person or incident and see what ideas come to mind for potential plot points, themes, and characters.

I’m looking for the emotional heart of the story. What’s the central question, theme, or truth I want readers to discover? In A Token of Love, the story revolves around courage, compassion, and healing within families as well as standing up for truth and justice. Those guiding themes helped me craft both timelines to reflect those ideas in different ways.

Next, I develop and write the historical chapters. I research the setting, time period, and significant events, but I also focus on creating compelling characters whose experiences resonate with modern readers. Once the historical plot is in place, I turn to the contemporary story, asking: Who would be touched by this piece of history? How might it change their life, their understanding of themselves, or their relationships? Then I write the full contemporary plot. The final step is deciding how to weave them together and give the reader the best experience.

I work with a list of scenes and story timeline to keep both narratives aligned, making sure moments of emotional resonance are placed intentionally across the chapters. I also plan the reveal of key historical discoveries to match turning points in the contemporary story. It’s a bit like conducting a duet. Each voice must be strong on its own, but they harmonize best when they’re aware of each other. This is more challenging when there are mystery elements in one story that can’t be discovered until a certain point in the other. I kept my editor busy helping me figure out the order of scenes in A Token of Love and The Legacy of Longdale Manor.

Writing with Grace Through Difficult Topics

Many historical stories involve heavy realities like war, loss, injustice, or trauma. And even in the contemporary timeline, characters may carry grief, shame, or long-held wounds. In The Legacy of Longdale Manor and A Token of Love, I explored the emotional burden of family secrets, the heartbreak of betrayal, commitment to family, determination to find a missing child, and the importance of faith, truth, and justice.

As a writer of inspirational fiction, I aim to approach these topics with honesty but also with hope. I try to do that by focusing on how the event affects the individual, their thoughts, emotions, and relationships to balance light and shadow. I intentionally include scenes of beauty, kindness, or even gentle humor to provide emotional relief and show redemption. Even in the darkest circumstances, I want readers to glimpse the possibility of healing, forgiveness, and restoration.

When writing about sensitive historical realities, accuracy matters, it’s important to do your research and keep the facts straight. I often include information in my author’s notes in the back of the book that explain when incidents and characters are real and which have been changed or are fictional.

I always lean on the Lord and my faith in Him. My characters often wrestle with questions of meaning and hope. Including faith-based themes, Scripture, and prayer helps offer a sense of deeper purpose to my readers.

Encouragement for Aspiring Writers

If you’re feeling daunted by the idea of writing a dual-timeline novel, or tackling deep themes, I want to encourage you: start with the heart of the story. Let that guide your research, your plot, and your characters. And trust that readers are drawn not just to history or drama, but to stories that reflect truth, beauty, and hope.

Writing stories that span centuries and touch on real-life struggles isn’t easy, but it’s deeply rewarding. When a reader tells me a story helped them process grief, feel understood, or strengthened their faith I’m encouraged and reminded why I write.

You have meaningful stories to tell. Don’t be afraid to dig deep, to write with honesty and grace, and to trust that your words will reach the right hearts at the right time.

My latest release, A Very English Christmas, includes three literary inspired novellas and a contemporary wraparound story. Each of the novellas features a famous British author from a different era as a secondary character. I teamed up with Carole Lehr Johnson and Marguerite Gray to write the novellas, and then I wrote the contemporary wraparound story, designed the cover, and prepared the book for publishing. It’s been a fun and exciting journey to see it all come together. Here’s a little more about the book:

Celebrate the Season with three timeless tales inspired by Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Beatrix Potter.

When Emma Grace Langley retreats to her grandmother’s antique shop in the snowy Cotswolds after heartbreak and job loss, she hopes to find clarity. Instead, she finds a collection of heirlooms—a portrait, a rare book, and a charming figurine—that unlock stories from the past. As each tale unfolds, Emma is drawn into the lives of three remarkable women whose lives were touched by England’s greatest storytellers.

In A Portrait of Faith, dutiful daughter Violet Walford longs for a life beyond duty to her family. When she is asked to paint a portrait of lively Regency-era author Jane Austen, their unexpected friendship inspires Violet to pursue life and love with new courage.

In A Victorian Christmas Tale, Clara Reynolds battles physical limitations and family expectations. With the help of a compassionate writer in Charles Dickens’s London, she discovers her true worth.

In A Tale of the Season, Edwardian heiress Arabella Graham seeks refuge in the Lake District—where a country veterinarian and the wisdom of Beatrix Potter show her a new path forward.

As these Christmas stories are shared by the firelight, Emma discovers that healing often comes through faith, love, and the courage to begin again.

A Very English Christmas is a heartwarming celebration of second chances, enduring love, and the literary magic of the season. Order your copy at this link. 

Until Next Time ~ Happy Reading,

Carrie