Well, a frequent time - related error in fiction is the miscalculation of the passage of time within the narrative. Say, a character is supposed to be on a journey that should take days, but in the story, it seems like it only takes hours with no proper explanation. Then there are the errors in sequencing time. Events might be presented out of order in a way that confuses the reader and doesn't make logical sense in terms of time. And don't forget about time - based contradictions, like when a character is described as doing two things simultaneously that are physically impossible given the time constraints described in the story.
One example could be in a detective novel where the time it takes for the detective to travel from one location to another doesn't match the described time frame within the crossword puzzle clues that are part of the mystery. Maybe the crossword has a clue about a time - related event that should have happened at a certain time based on the travel times mentioned, but there's a discrepancy. This could be due to the author's oversight in coordinating the fictional time and the crossword elements.
One way is to be very conscious of time markers. Writers should clearly indicate how much time has passed between events, whether it's through direct statements like 'a few hours later' or by showing the passage of time through the characters' actions or the changing of the environment. Another important aspect is to make sure that the time - related details are consistent throughout the story. If a character has a meeting at a certain time, all subsequent events should be in line with that time frame. Also, when dealing with time - sensitive concepts like aging or the growth of a relationship, it should be believable in the context of the time passed in the story.
It can disrupt the flow of the story. If the reader is following the crossword as a part of the plot and there's a time - related error, it can be jarring. For example, if the crossword is supposed to lead the character to a discovery at a certain time, but the time doesn't add up, it makes the plot seem illogical.
One example could be in a time - travel story where the rules of time are inconsistent. For instance, a character travels back in time and changes an event, but the consequences don't match up with the established rules of causality in that fictional universe. Another example might be in a historical fiction where the timeline of real - world events is misaligned with the story's plot. Say, a battle is described as happening before a key political event, when in real history it occurred after.
It can be quite jarring. If there's a time - related error, it may disrupt the flow of the story. Readers might get confused and pulled out of the fictional world the author is trying to create.
Over - complicating the time scheme. If you have too many different time lines and it's hard for the reader to keep track, it can make the story feel muddled. For example, having five parallel time lines that are all very similar but not clearly distinct.
In fiction, time - related errors often involve pacing. Sometimes, the story may rush through important time periods. For instance, if a character is supposed to be developing a complex skill over months, but it's shown as happening in a few days. This disrupts the believability of the time frame. Additionally, flashbacks can be a source of error. If the flashback's time setting is not clearly marked or if it interrupts the main story's time flow in a jarring way, it's a time - related mistake.
In fiction, one type could be the magical time zone. For example, in some fantasy stories, there are places where time moves at a different pace due to magic. Another type might be the inter - galactic time zone in science fiction. Different planets or star systems could have their own unique time measurements and rates of passage of time. And then there's the time - loop time zone, where a certain area or event is stuck in a loop, repeating over and over again, creating a distinct time - related situation in the fictional world.
One type is the physical time travel. For example, in 'Back to the Future', Marty McFly travels through time in a time - traveling car. Another type is mental time travel, like in some stories where characters can relive past memories vividly as if they are actually there in that time. There is also the concept of time loops in fiction, such as in 'Groundhog Day', where the character keeps repeating the same day over and over again, which can be considered a form of time travel.
One common type is the human - like alien. For example, in 'Star Trek', Vulcans are human - like in appearance but with distinct cultural and physical differences like their pointed ears and logical thinking. Another type is the insect - like aliens, such as the Arachnids in 'Starship Troopers'. They are often depicted as having multiple limbs and a hive - mind mentality. There are also the blob - like or amorphous aliens which can change their shape, like the Thing in the movie 'The Thing' which can mimic other organisms perfectly.