Pacing Your Story - Lynn Tincher

Think of pacing in writing as much the same as the movement of a piece of classical music. Some of the music is fast and furious while some parts are slow, allowing the listener to catch their breath. Writing a story or a novel can be much the same.

The beginning or your story should contain the hook. This is the part that makes your reader want to read more. You can start off with guns-a-blazing in an action packed sequence or you can start off slow; planting questions in the reader’s mind.

As far as pacing in the development of your story, have several scenes or chapters of action or conflict. Then slow the action down from time to time so the reader can have a break. Constant, non-stop action can have its benefits but it also does not always draw the attention of the reader. The reader can get worn out and lose interest.

Use different writing conventions to help speed up or slow down your actions. A change in verb tense from past to present tense can slow the action down. Adding dialog is another great way to change pace.

Adding more description can help slow the pace down and then add action to speed it up again. You can begin by describing the scene in detail. For example, describe the sea breeze causing the palm trees to sway as the seagulls call in the distance. By introducing the character talking to the bartender in the Tiki hut, you’ve introduced the beginning of the action and the pace can pick up from there.

If you have developed your characters and their motives first, it is easier to develop the pace of the story around them. In the end, answer your questions and develop some sort of finality. If you would like to leave it open, ask more questions or leave something unresolved. Most importantly, have fun.

Copyright 2009 Lynn Tincher