Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Exposition
If I Could Put Time in a Bottle
1998
The first stage, the exposition stage, explains to the readers all those tidbits about the world, conflict, and characters that we'll need to know to actually figure out what the heck is going on in this story.
In Timescape, we start in the year 1998. We learn about the horrible condition the world's fallen into, as well as John Renfrew's plan to send messages back in time using tachyons, hypothetical faster-than-light particles. We are also introduced to the main characters in this timeline, including Gregory Markham, Ian Peterson, and John's wife, Marjorie.
1962-63
This book isn't only set in the late 90s, though, so we zoom back in time to meet up with Gregory Bernstein and his graduate student, Albert Cooper. While performing their experiments, these two stumble across the tachyon-embedded transmission and have no idea what to make of it. We watch as Gordon discovers the transmission, attempts to learn what it is, and finally decides it might be a message… though from where, he does not know. We also see Professor Lakin start to push against Gordon's interpretation of the data, which leads us to the rising action stage.
Rising Action
Time after Time
1998
During the rising action stage, the conflict starts to pick up and things get complicated for our characters. In 1998, Peterson discovers a message left for him in a security deposit box, proving someone is receiving the transmissions in the past. Markham continues to deal with the theoretical implications of Renfrew's experiment and what they mean for the reality of time as we know it. And Marjorie grows more distant from Renfrew as he spends more and more time at the laboratory.
1962-63
Gordon continues to seek out the truth of the messages. He recruits biology professor Michael Ramsey and astronomer Saul Shriffer to help him figure out different parts of the message. Shriffer makes part of the message public, letting folks know he believes the message is a signal from a distant civilization.
Because most scientists aren't into wild speculation, Gordon's own research is considered less credible as a result of its association with Shriffer. At one point, Gordon is humiliated and ridiculed at a colloquium where he discusses his research.
The difficulties in his professional life bleed over and put a strain on Gordon's relationship with his girlfriend, Penny. Gordon seeks the help of his one-time professor, Claudia Zinnes, and luckily for him, Claudia agrees to setup her own experiment to see if she can find the same phenomenon as Gordon.
Climax
Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?
1998
The climax is the turning point, the moment that changes everything for the characters, sometimes for the better but sometimes for the worse. And in 1998, it's most definitely the latter.
Markham flies to America to assist Renfrew in getting the equipment he needs to better transmit the messages. On the way, Markham rocks some mathematics to try to make sense of any potential paradoxes and also the new implications for the physics of time. Just as Markham comes to a realization that makes sense of it all, though, the plane suddenly crashes over a Maryland forest. Oops. See ya, Markham.
1962-63
Back in the past, Claudia Zinnes discovers the interference that Gordon has been picking up in his experiments. Even though he still doesn't know quite what the phenomenon means, having another scientist confirm its existence proves that Gordon is on to something. Things are looking up.
Falling Action
Does Anybody Even Care?
1998
Now things begin to unravel for our 1998 characters. Peterson gets sick from eating contaminated food and is hospitalized, while Renfrew continues to work long hours attempting to get his transmission sent, leaving a scared and frazzled Marjorie alone at the house for a long time.
Peterson escapes from the hospital, snags his bug-out bag from his house, and heads for his family's farmhouse—but not before seducing a lonely Marjorie along the way. Because… well… that's Peterson for you.
1962-63
The pieces come together for Gordon. Ramsey's experiments prove super important and yield super scary results, and although it is hit and miss, Claudia continues to gather data to support Gordon's findings. Finally, Gordon figures out that the messages are coming from the future, and he brings his findings to the public, receiving much scientific acclaim in return.
Resolution
Closing Time
1998
The resolution wraps things up and gives us answers to all those burning questions we've been pondering throughout the book. Well, maybe not all the questions—the universe is still a mysterious place by the end.
Peterson hides out in his country home, which he's been preparing as a fortress to fend off the oncoming apocalypse. Renfrew continues to transmit his message despite poor health and a developing fever, and he receives a transmission that might hail from the year 2349 just before power cuts out in his laboratory. Tired, he leaves his lab and decides to go home to his wife and kids and live out his life.
1962-63
Gordon watches the news of Kennedy's assassination or, we should say, his attempted assassination. A student looking for information on Gordon's research stopped Lee Harvey Oswald from firing a third shot and saving Kennedy's life. Gordon knows something important has happened on this day.
In 1974, Gordon receives the Enrico Fermi Prize for his contributions to science. The past, or should we say this world's future, has been changed as a result of Gordon's findings.