Mastering Pacing in Writing: Essential Tips to Pace Your Story like a Pro

Do you feel like your plot is dragging on and on? Are you worried readers will get bored halfway through and put your book down? If so, then you might need to work on your narrative pacing. A well-paced story can have readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly turning pages to find out what happens next. Poor pacing can leave readers feeling frustrated and disconnected from the characters. In this post, we'll explore what pacing is, and how you can improve it in your own writing.

What is pacing in writing?

Narrative pacing refers to the speed and rhythm at which a story unfolds. It's a vital tool that influences how readers experience your story. Proper pacing ensures that the narrative flows smoothly, maintains tension, and keeps the audience invested in the characters and plot points.  Pacing varies depending on the medium, genre, and purpose of the story. For instance, a thriller may move at a fast pace, while a character-driven contemporary novel may have a slower pace that allows readers to become more invested in the characters' emotions and relationships.

Should your novel have a fast or slow pace?

A fast-paced novel is not inherently better than one with a leisurely pace. Thrillers like Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl and Stieg Larsson's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo maintain a fast pace through short chapters, cliffhangers, and rapid plot developments. On the other hand, literary fiction often features slower pacing to focus on character development and thematic depth. The Road by Cormac McCarthy uses deliberate pacing to reflect the bleak, contemplative journey of its characters. You'll need to decide what your book calls for and aim to keep the story's pacing appropriate for its genre.

Tips for pacing your story

Use sentence structure to pace the action

Short, punchy sentences can create urgency and excitement, while longer, more complex sentences slow the pace down and allow readers to savor the details. Shorter sentences are also fast and easier to read, making the story feel like it's moving at a quicker pace. This is ideal for action scenes and adventure novels.

Here's an example of faster-paced writing:

Jenna sprinted down the alley, her heart pounding in her chest. She glanced back and saw the shadowy figure gaining on her. Her breath came in ragged gasps as she pushed herself harder, her legs burning with effort. She darted around a corner, narrowly avoiding a stack of crates. The sound of footsteps echoed louder and closer. Desperation fueled her, and she scanned the street ahead for an escape route.

A flickering neon sign caught her eye.

Without a second thought, she veered towards it, praying the door was unlocked.

In this example, the short sentences and paragraphs increase the pace of the writing, while still maintaining a sense of description and imagery. The sensory details focus on the immediate, visceral experience of the character as she is being chased, and the sense of immediate danger heightens the tension.

Slow things down to give readers time to breathe

It’s important to find a balance between the electrifying scenes and the quiet ones. You don’t want to overwhelm your readers with too much action or surprising reveals all at once. Slow down and create some moments of rest and reflection.

Here's an example of slower-paced writing:

The sun set slowly over the horizon, casting a golden glow across the tranquil meadow. Birds chirped softly in the distance, their melodies blending harmoniously with the rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. Jenna sat on the old wooden bench, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings on its armrests. She took a deep breath, savoring the crisp, fresh air scented with blooming wildflowers. Her thoughts drifted lazily, reflecting on the memories of summers past, each moment unhurried and cherished. The world seemed to pause, wrapped in the serene embrace of twilight.

In this example, the longer sentences and detailed descriptions evoke calm and reflection. The focus here is on creating a vivid, serene scene rather than moving the story forward. While you likely wouldn't want to read an entire story at this pace, balancing high-tension moments with slower-paced scenes allows your readers to absorb what’s going on and feel the impact of the situation.

For example, In Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, when Bree first learns about the Legendborn society and the truth about her mother's death, there is a moment where she sits alone in her room and reflects on everything that has happened. This scene allows the reader to see Bree's vulnerability and fear as she grapples with this new information. So, take a step back and evaluate your story. Are there enough moments of rest and reflection? If not, try adding some in.

Use scene and chapter breaks wisely

As with sentence length, scene and chapter length have a large impact on pacing in fiction. Scene breaks can help with time passing, changing location or tone, switching point of view, and creating structure in your story, all of which help to vary the pacing.

Chapter breaks can either make the reader "lean forward" by encouraging them to keep reading, or "lean back" by reflecting on what just happened. A reflective chapter break will slow the pacing down, whereas ending a chapter on a cliffhanger will create a faster pace.

Cliffhangers create a sense of uncertainty and anticipation that makes the reader invested in the outcome. Writers can use rhetorical questions, a false sense of resolution, and sudden unresolved events to keep readers engaged. Also, by combining cliffhangers with scene breaks or chapter endings, they can create a sense of urgency that drives the reader forward. However, it is important to use cliffhangers sparingly to avoid desensitizing readers to the technique.

Common story pacing mistakes

Here are some common pacing mistakes to avoid as you're writing:

• Too Much Description: Excessive details can bog down the story. Balance descriptive passages with action and dialogue to maintain a steady pace.
• Lack of Variety: Ensure you have a mix of fast and slow scenes. A monotonous pace can make a story feel repetitive and uninteresting.
• Inconsistent Pacing: Maintain a consistent pace appropriate to the story’s genre and tone. Sudden shifts in pacing can disrupt the narrative flow and confuse readers.

Good pacing can take time to master, so don't worry if your story doesn't seem to be moving at the right pace at first! Consider working with beta readers or critique partners as you revise to help you pinpoint when your story should speed up or slow down.

Ready to master pacing and keep readers hooked?

As a writer, you have the power to control the pacing of your stories. Mastering pacing is crucial for crafting a compelling narrative. By understanding the factors that affect pacing and employing various techniques, you can control the speed and rhythm of your story to keep the reader hooked. Experiment with different pacing strategies, and always be mindful of how your narrative flows. With practice and attention to detail, you’ll be able to pace your story like a pro.