Untelling: Writing Stories in Reverse Chronology

Reverse chronology—often referred to as "untelling"—is a narrative technique where events unfold backward in time, challenging traditional storytelling conventions. By starting with the conclusion and tracing the steps that led there, writers create a unique and often thought-provoking reading experience. This article explores the mechanics, impact, and examples of reverse chronology in storytelling and offers tips for writers looking to master this innovative technique.

Why Write in Reverse Chronology?

This can be fun. But also....

1. To Challenge Reader Expectations

Reverse chronology subverts conventional story arcs, engaging readers by presenting them with the "what" before the "why." This unconventional structure invites curiosity and keeps readers guessing as they piece together the narrative.

2. To Deepen Emotional Impact

Starting with a climactic event, such as a tragedy or a resolution, allows writers to focus on the circumstances leading up to it. This perspective can amplify emotional resonance as readers uncover the choices, relationships, and events that culminated in the conclusion.

3. To Reflect Themes of Memory and Regret

Reverse storytelling often mirrors the way we process memories or regrets—looking back on decisions and their consequences. It’s a powerful way to explore introspection, inevitability, and the interconnectedness of events.

How Reverse Chronology Works

Let's unpack it.

1. Structuring the Story

In reverse chronology, the end is the beginning. The story is divided into scenes or chapters, each moving progressively further back in time. Writers must:

• Clearly define the ending before plotting the rest of the story.
• Build each preceding scene as a logical step leading to the next event.

2. Revealing Information

Reverse storytelling is about discovery in hindsight. Writers control the release of information, revealing motivations, causes, and contexts incrementally. This approach ensures that each backward step adds depth to the narrative.

3. Maintaining Coherence

While the story unfolds backward, individual scenes still need to follow traditional narrative rules, with logical progressions within their own context. Dialogue, actions, and character development must make sense within the reversed timeline.

Examples of Reverse Chronology in Fiction

Some fantastic books are structured this way, BTW.

1. Memento by Christopher Nolan

The film Memento is a masterclass in reverse storytelling. The protagonist, Leonard, suffers from short-term memory loss, and the narrative mirrors his disorientation by moving backward through his quest to find his wife’s killer. Each scene adds a piece to the puzzle, keeping viewers on edge as they uncover the truth alongside the protagonist.

2. The Night Watch by Sarah Waters

This novel moves in reverse through the lives of its characters during and after World War II. Beginning in 1947 and moving back to 1941, Waters reveals how war shaped the characters’ relationships and choices. The backward structure allows readers to see the aftermath of decisions before understanding their origins, creating a poignant and layered narrative.

3. Betrayal by Harold Pinter

This play begins with the aftermath of an affair and moves backward to the moment the affair began. The reverse structure intensifies the audience’s understanding of the characters’ motivations and the fragility of their relationships.

4. Time’s Arrow by Martin Amis

Amis uses reverse chronology to tell the story of a Nazi war criminal’s life. By reversing time, horrific acts like murder appear as healing, forcing readers to confront the dissonance between the act and its moral implications. The structure deepens the impact of the narrative’s ethical questions.

Crafting Reverse Chronology: Tips for Writers

Here's how it goes.

1. Start with the Ending

• Write the ending as a fixed point before building the rest of the story. This ensures the narrative feels purposeful and cohesive.
• Define the key emotional or thematic impact you want the ending to have.

2. Work Backward in Logical Steps

• Reverse chronology doesn’t mean abandoning logic. Events must still connect causally, even if the presentation is backward.
• Create a timeline of events in chronological order before flipping it.

3. Focus on Discovery, Not Confusion

• Provide readers with enough context to understand the story without getting lost.
• Use recurring symbols, themes, or dialogue to anchor the narrative.

4. Play with Themes of Hindsight

• Use the structure to explore ideas like regret, inevitability, or the ripple effects of decisions.
• Let characters reflect on their actions implicitly, as readers uncover their motivations.

5. Test the Narrative Flow

• Ensure each scene is compelling and self-contained, even when read out of chronological order.
• Consider beta readers to verify clarity and engagement.

Benefits and Challenges of Reverse Chronology

Benefits

• Unique Engagement: Keeps readers intrigued by revealing effects before causes.
• Emotional Depth: Allows writers to focus on consequences and their origins.
• Complex Themes: Ideal for exploring memory, regret, or fate.

Challenges

• Reader Confusion: Requires careful planning to avoid disorienting the audience.
• Structural Complexity: Demands precise organization to maintain coherence.
• Risk of Repetition: Backward storytelling can inadvertently rehash events unless new layers of meaning are added.

Why Reverse Chronology Resonates

Reverse chronology resonates because it mirrors how we often process life—by looking back. Whether it’s the pang of regret, the joy of recalling milestones, or the bittersweet recognition of how events shape us, untelling taps into a deeply human perspective. By challenging the linearity of time, writers using this method invite readers to engage with stories in a fresh and compelling way.

Backwards Time

Reverse chronology is not just a storytelling gimmick; it’s a powerful tool for crafting narratives that challenge, engage, and provoke thought. Whether exploring themes of memory, consequence, or interconnectedness, untelling opens new doors for creative expression. As seen in works like Memento, The Night Watch, and Time’s Arrow, stories told backward can leave an indelible mark on readers, offering them a fresh lens through which to view the intricacies of human experience.

For writers ready to experiment, reverse chronology offers an opportunity to disrupt the narrative norm and create something unforgettable.