Every story has a rhythm. If it’s a monotonous one, readers may lose interest. Pacing the rhythm can build tension, emphasize important events, stir the reader’s emotions, and move the action forward. As the story progresses, the tension builds with each new conflict, and ebbs slightly as minor conflicts are resolved. As the climax approaches, the tension increases.
Proper pacing will keep the reader moving forward but allows the action to slow down when appropriate to emphasize the importance of certain things along the way.
To increase the pace:
Use shorter paragraphs, shorter sentences, and occasional sentence fragments.
Use less description, more dialogue.
Use active verbs and fewer modifiers (adjectives and adverbs).
Focus on the events that move the action forward rather than switching to subplots.
Have something important happen in each chapter, and keep the chapters short.
Cover periods of inaction with a transitional sentence rather than going into details about what happened.
To slow the pace:
Use longer sentences, longer paragraphs.
Include more narrative and less dialogue.
Use more modifiers, less active verbs, and passive sentence structure.
Switch to subplots between chapters high in tension.
Layer in significant details to emphasize their importance (foreshadowing) .
Use flashbacks.
The type of story will dictate the appropriate pace. For example, a mystery will generally have more action and a faster pace than a romance. But every story needs a rhythm that keeps the reader interested enough to keep turning the pages. Pacing sets the rhythm.
I know pacing is a key factor in whether or not I continue to read a book. A slow opening is a real killer for me. It is probably why I can’t get into certain genres. I’ve tried romance and found it boring. Same is true of much literary fiction I’ve read. Yet I have friends who have the exact opposite reaction, to the same books. I suppose it’s all a matter of taste, but give me a story that moves at the outset, please.
~jon
Jon, I usually prefer fast-paced stories, too, but I can’t handle horror, or some of the popular, action-packed thrillers. The content of a story is more important to me than the pacing, though anything moving too slowly will put me to sleep.
Carol
Oh, yes, plot and character are very important. But if I fall asleep before I get into them I’ll never come to know them. I guess that’s the real test of a good writer – weaving all those elements together to keep the reader fully engaged.
I’ve read 250 page books that have taken me weeks to finish. I’ve read 1000+ pages books in less than a day. I was certainly fully engaged in the latter.
~jon
Jon, that’s a good point. Too bad there isn’t some formula we can go by that tells us exactly which elements to include in exactly the right amount and in exactly the right place to keep everyone interested in our stories. We could all be best-selling authors if we knew that secret.
Carol
If you distill it, send me a bottle!
~jon
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Thanks for the tip. I have a post on a method I call “Stepping Down”. Would welcome your comments.
Hi. I took a look at your post. It’s an interesting concept you mention.
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Nice post. I’ve just linked my own post to this 🙂
Thanks, Rebecca!
You have some great tips on your blog.
Carol