lost-time
The narrative technique of indicating the passage of significant time intervals without detailed scenes, to maintain pacing while acknowledging character and plot development.
2 chapters across 1 book
A Fire Upon the Deep (2002)Vernor Vinge
This chapter is a meta-textual note from the author discussing narrative structure and character development in the Ravna storyline. It addresses the challenge of representing significant time lapses ('Lost Time') within the story without extensive scenes, suggests revisions to emphasize Ravna's diplomatic role, and proposes gender representation changes for certain characters. Additionally, it hints at future historical interpretations of characters and events within the story's universe.
This chapter consists primarily of editorial notes and meta-commentary related to the narrative and thematic elements of the story. It references a fatal experiment involving 'disintegrating the soul' and the complications of multiplexing cloaks, hints at connections to the concept of Lost Time, and discusses narrative decisions about character revelations, particularly concerning Steel and Flenser. The text serves as a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the author's thought process and story development rather than advancing the plot directly.