Pacing

Compiled by Noreen Brownlie (1995)

Pacing is the flow of your story. It is the rate at which events happen and the lives of your characters unfold. A number of elements combine to give your reader the illusion of time passing quickly or time passing slowly. It might help to imagine a snowball rolling downhill. As life becomes more and more complicated for your characters, the snowball gains momentum. Emotional intensity, dramatic action, fast paced dialogue and reader worry make your snowball race quickly. The reader can't stop turning the pages. Long narrative passages, detailed descriptions, and lengthy introspection in your character's viewpoint give your ball of snow a chance to roll down a softer incline. Use of these elements can also give an editor a reason to put your manuscript down or in a return envelope.

Be aware of pacing in your favorite novels. Pay attention to how the author uses scene and sequel. Scenes involve action and dialogue and quicken the pace. Sequels are bridges between the scenes involving narrative and introspection. Sequels slow the pace. WRITING NOVELS THAT SELL and SCENE & STRUCTURE are books by Jack Bickham that offer great insight into the use of scene and sequel.

Certain plots and characters demand a more leisurely pace. A tale of romantic suspense should move more quickly than a book designed to produce warm and fuzzy feelings in the reader. Pace should be consistent with the story you are telling but should always keep your reader turning pages.