To write a time lapse novel effectively, first, plan your key time points clearly. Decide which moments in the characters' lives or the story's timeline are crucial to show. Second, use transitions well. A simple line like 'Ten years had passed' can bridge the time gap. Third, ensure that the characters' development is consistent across the time jumps. Their personalities and motives should still be recognizable.
One way to write a time lapse novel effectively is to have a strong overarching theme that ties together the different time periods. For example, if the theme is 'loss', show how different characters experience loss at different times in the story. Also, use descriptive language to convey the passage of time. Instead of just saying 'five years later', describe how the setting has changed, like 'The once - bustling town square was now overgrown with weeds after five years of neglect.' And don't forget to make the time jumps meaningful. Each jump should move the story forward in some way, whether it's advancing a plot point or deepening a character's arc.