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Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been obsessed with storytelling. Whether it was writing my own little stories or devouring books voraciously, I loved nothing more than getting sucked into a gripping narrative. As I got older and started critically analyzing stories, I realized how carefully paced they were. The pacing draws readers in and keeps them glued to the page until the end.
Pacing is one of the most important—yet often overlooked—aspects of crafting an engaging narrative. It’s easy for writers to get so caught up in the plot details and twists that they forget about maintaining a good rhythm throughout. But pacing is what separates an average story from a truly page-turning one. The glue holds all the other elements together in a cohesive whole.
It is too fast of a pace, and readers won’t have time to connect with characters or absorb crucial plot points. But if it is too slow, they’ll get bored and lose interest long before the climax. Striking the right balance is a real art form. Master storytellers understand instinctively how to vary the pace at different points to build suspense or release tension. They’re not afraid to linger on intimate character moments or descriptive scenes that move the emotional arcs forward.
Common pacing issues I see in works-in-progress include infodumping huge blocks of exposition all at once instead of spreading it out organically. Jumping around randomly between plot threads without enough context transitions. And not allowing events to breathe and sink in before abruptly launching into the next dramatic twist. These are all pace killers that zap the momentum right out of a narrative.
Some techniques to help refine pacing include structuring your story in Acts with routine escalations of conflict, tension, and stakes. Provide resolution and release between major plot points to give readers a breather before ratcheting things up again. Lean on subtext, implication, and showing vs. telling to generate intrigue and questions without over-explaining. And alternate between fast, action-packed scenes and slower, character-driven moments to vary the tempo.
Testing different structures by rearranging scene order or tweaking length is also invaluable. You may find certain plot points have more impact later versus earlier in the story. Editing is where you identify pacing issues and surgically adjust the rhythm until it’s finely tuned like the gears of a well-oiled machine. The goal is to seamlessly sweep readers along for a thrill ride they don’t want to end.
Pacing can make or break any narrative endeavor, so it’s worth obsessing over the timing and flow as much as the plot itself. With patience and practice, you, too, can master this oft-overlooked yet vitally important storytelling technique. Just keep listening to feedback from beta readers and tweaking that pace until it’s perfect. Doing the work on the timing will ensure your stories engage audiences for years to come.