21.22: The Order of the Telling

Writing Excuses

Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

Fiction, Business, Careers

4.6 • 1.4K Ratings

🗓️ 31 May 2026

⏱️ 28 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

*Time-Sensitive*

Our final WXR cruise is almost sold out, grab your spot before June 4th, 2026 here!

This week, we are talking about the order in which we present information to the reader as contrasted with the order in which events actually progressed in the universe of this story and why those things might be completely different. We are joined by Margaret Dunlap as we explore nonlinear timelines with examples from novels, television, film, anime, and interactive fiction. We discuss how non-chronological storytelling can build tension, reveal character, and control the flow of information. The conversation highlights how writers can use flashbacks, parallel timelines, and carefully placed revelations to reshape a reader’s understanding of events. Our hosts also talk about the emotional power of structure, noting that nonlinear storytelling can shift a story from “what happens next?” to “how did we get here?” or “what does this mean now?” Margaret and our hosts share practical strategies for keeping timelines organized, including notes, spreadsheets, and tracking information arcs.

Homework:

Find a story—a TV episode, movie, or book—that experiments with nonlinear storytelling. After experiencing it once, revisit it and map where information shifts: what characters know, what the audience knows, and how those changes affect your understanding of what comes next.

Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, Erin Roberts, and DongWon Song. Our guest was Margaret Dunlap. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	The cruise ship sailing us to Alaska this summer is completely sold out, except for the cabins we've reserved for writing excuses attendees.
0:11.0	These cabins are only available until June 4th.
0:15.0	On June 4th, any cabins, not reserved by writing excuses attendees, will revert to the cruise line and will be sold
0:23.2	to the general public. If you want to join the writing excuses hosts and a hundred new friends on our
0:29.6	final annual cruise, as we read, write, critique, and learn while reveling in the stunning scenery,
0:36.4	visit writingexcuses.com slash retreats.
0:39.8	Don't delay. We're holding the very last unreserved cabins on the entire ship, and they will not
0:46.6	stay unreserved for very long. Again, that's writingexcuses.com slash retreats.
0:54.1	This episode of writing excuses has been brought to you by our listeners, patrons, and friends.
1:00.1	If you would like to learn how to support this podcast, visit www.
1:04.2	patreon.com slash writing excuses.
1:09.5	Season 21, episode 22.
1:13.9	This is writing excuses.
1:16.6	The order of the telling.
1:18.5	Tools, not rules.
1:20.0	Four writers, by writers.
1:21.8	I'm Mary Robinette.
1:22.9	I'm Dong Wan.
1:23.7	I'm Aaron.
1:24.7	And I'm Howard.
1:25.4	And we are joined again by special guest and occasional house guest mine, Margaret Dunlap.
1:32.7	Hello, you had me back.
	...

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