How to manage pacing
The pacing of your story can make or break the reader's experience. Whether it's a fast-paced thriller or a slow-burning drama, every tale needs a well-managed pace to maintain reader interest and deliver a satisfying narrative. But how do you manage pacing effectively? Here are some tips to help you take the reins.
Know the pace of your genre
Different genres have different pacing expectations. Thrillers, action-adventures, and horror stories generally have a fast pace with lots of high-stakes drama and tension. On the other hand, literary fiction, dramas, and romance often have a slower pace, focusing more on character development and relationships. Knowing the pacing conventions of your genre can help guide your pacing strategy.
Use scene and sequel
In his book Techniques of the Selling Writer, Dwight V. Swain introduces the concept of scene and sequel. A 'scene' is a unit of conflict lived through by character and reader, and a 'sequel' is a unit of transition that links two scenes. Balancing scenes (where the action happens) and sequels (where the reaction to that action happens) can help manage pacing.
Master sentence structure
Short, quick sentences and paragraphs can speed up the pacing, making the reader's pulse quicken along with the action. In contrast, longer sentences and paragraphs can slow down the pacing, giving the reader time to breathe and contemplate. Playing with sentence and paragraph lengths can create a rhythm that enhances your story's pacing.
Play with time
How you manipulate time in your narrative can also affect pacing. Summarising events can speed up the pace, while slowing down and detailing every action can draw out the time and slow down the pace.
Use subplots
Introducing subplots can add layers to your story and alter the pace. A subplot can quicken the pace by adding more conflict and tension, or it can slow the pace by providing a break from the main plot.
Control information flow
The pace can also be influenced by how much information you reveal to the reader at once. Dripping in information slowly builds tension and slows the pace, while revealing a lot of information all at once can speed things up.
Revise, revise, revise
Finally, managing pacing often comes down to revision. Read your story with pacing in mind. Are there parts where it drags? Are there sections where it feels too rushed? Adjusting the balance of beats and progressions, adding or removing scenes, and refining your narrative can help fine-tune your pacing.
Remember, pacing is not just about speed, but about the rhythm and flow of your story. By consciously managing pacing, you can guide your readers through your narrative in a way that enhances their engagement and enjoyment of your story.
