Disjointed storytelling coming up in 2026

While a disjointed narrative or experience can often be a negative, it can be a good thing when used deliberately to achieve a specific effect, such as creating suspense, depth, and creative engagement. The audience is forced to actively piece together the story or information, which can make the outcome more impactful. 

In narrative storytelling and film

In film and literature, a disjointed or non-linear narrative can serve as a powerful artistic tool. 

• Creating suspense and intrigue: By presenting events out of chronological order, creators can strategically withhold or reveal information, building tension and keeping the audience guessing.

• Enhancing character development: Jumping between a character's past and present allows the audience to gain a deeper understanding of their motivations and transformations. Different timelines can offer varying perspectives on the same character or situation, creating a more multi-layered portrayal.

• Achieving emotional impact: Juxtaposing events from different times can heighten emotional resonance. A story can show a happy memory followed by a tragic event, intensifying the audience's experience.

• Showcasing a character's mental state: A fragmented narrative can effectively portray a character's psychological state, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The TV series Disjointed used animated, free-associative breaks to represent the mental state of a security guard character who was an Iraq veteran.

• Making a story feel more organic: For some storytellers, a non-linear approach can feel more natural and organic, freeing them from the rigid constraints of a linear timeline. 

In collaborative brainstorming

In a creative or professional setting, a disjointed, free-flowing brainstorming process can be highly beneficial. 

• Encouraging diverse ideas: A disjointed session, where ideas are thrown out without immediate judgment, can prevent groupthink. It creates a space where a "bad idea" can be offered and then organically evolve into a great one with the input of others.

• Building on new associations: Free-associative thinking allows one person's idea to spark dozens of new connections in the minds of others. This "popcorning" of ideas can lead to a more innovative and comprehensive solution.

• Increased creativity and productivity: By moving away from structured, linear thinking, a group can generate a wider variety of unique ideas in a shorter amount of time than a single person could. 

In personal experience and creativity

For individuals, embracing a disjointed or non-linear path can also be positive.

• Cultivating creative thinking: Exploring seemingly unrelated ideas and then finding the connections between them is a core aspect of creative thinking. A "five ideas a day" habit, for example, encourages a high volume of varied ideas as a way to unlock novelty and originality.

• Enhanced problem-solving: Approaching a problem from different perspectives, rather than following a single linear path, can lead to more comprehensive and effective solutions. The disorganization of a complex problem is often a part of the process of finding a solution.