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Techniques
Pacing
Pacing is a tool
writers have to control the speed in which a story reads. Lush,
descriptive segments slow the pace, giving the readers a breather.
Rapid-fire dialogue speeds the pace, leaving the reader breathless. It
is up to the writer to decide when to quicken the pace and when to put
it in a slower gear.
Perhaps the easiest
way to judge when to change the pace is to ask questions as you read.
Does your mind start drifting? Then, you need action. Is the
conversation or action moving too quickly? Are you having a hard time
keeping up? Then it's time to use a bit of narrative or exposition to
even out the pacing.
In the tip sheet, Say
it Once, Say it Right, we discussed removing redundancies in our
prose. One of the reasons we add redundancy in the first place is to
slow the pace. But instead of repeating ourselves, we need to find new
things to say or new things to focus on. For example, during a highly
emotional scene that is moving too quickly, allow the character to
study a picture on the wall or watch children playing nearby. Or allow
him to remember a conversation from the past. Or focus on one of the
other senses, such as the smells or sounds in the background. This can
add depth and an emotional layer, as well as slowing the pace.
We can also slow the
pace of a chapter or even the entire manuscript by adding more
description, more exposition (background information) and more internal
dialogue (character thoughts).
Likewise, to speed the
pace, omit everything except for the direct action or dialogue. Ignore
descriptions, ignore reactions, ignore anything other than the bare
necessities. Shortening the length of the sentences will also increase
the pace.
Reading our prose
aloud is perhaps the best way to judge the pace. Listen as you read,
and consider if the action is happening too fast or not fast enough.
And remember, there is never one right answer. The pace of your story
is just one more element that contributes to your unique writing style.
Experiment, study, write. But in the end, use your own judgment.
For additional tips,
worksheets, and discussions, order your own copy of the Inspiration for Writers Tips and
Techniques Workbook.
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