Using Natural Daily Activities

• Use the date and time as chapter headings or subheadings, e.g. 2 August – Two days before the eruption; Conticinium [04:21 hours] (Pompeii, Robert Harris)
• A character can glance at a clock or watch. This action builds tension when the character is working against a deadline....

• Use references to story events, both past and future, e.g. The train leaves in xx hours/days
• Mention that an upcoming event will happen in xx weeks

• Incorporate seasonal details: rain, snow, heat, blooming trees, falling leaves, etc.
• Use seasonal events such as sports and festivals. For example: Andy switched from track to cross-country skiing as the days shortened / the upcoming new year

• Indicate distance of a destination + means of travel, e.g. 2 days by foot, car, horseback, etc.
• Indicate the character's response to travel, e.g. tired, cranky, invigorated at the journey’s end

• Use transitions as time markers.
• Short transitions: 28 hours after Mike received the telegram / the next morning / that night
• Longer transitions: The following month/year

Tools you can use:

• Paper
• Digital file (e.g. Excel)
• Software/app (e.g. Aeon Timeline)