This week’s question comes from [
Mister Saint]. He writes:
I'd like to know a little bit more about pacing. Any tips on how to properly keep a story flowing, without giving away too much or too little?
Ah, yes, pacing. Pacing can be a tricky thing.
As a fairly proficient writer, I would like to think I have a decent grasp on this particular of storytelling, although I occasionally have difficulty with it.
Much trouble for writers lies in wanting to increase or decrease the pace by either cramming a lot of action into a small section, or cutting the action out of longer sections. As a reader, I can tell you that this usually doesn’t do what it is intended to do.
Pacing is often in your word choice and sentence structure. If you are going for a fast, hectic pace or one filled with action, try using verbs and adverbs that indicate action. Stay away from the weaker words for any particular act.
Example: Jim went to the door and closed it quickly, making sure he locked it.
Correction: Jim
sprang to the door,
slamming it and
hurriedly throwing the bolt.
Short, staccato sentences can also heighten action.
Example: She fell over and knocked the vase onto the floor, breaking it and spilling water all over the place.
Correction: She fell. Hard. Her foot hit the vase,
shattering it. Water
sprayed everywhere.
The reverse of both techniques can be done if you are trying to slow the pace of action without dragging your story to a halt. Still stay away from weak adverbs, choosing instead ones that indicate a more leisurely pace.
Example: The boy went to the store by the long route.
Correction: The boy
meandered down the
country lane, more interested in the
lovely scenery and profusion of grasshoppers than in the route that
stretched before him to the Five and Dime.
Drawing out your sentences and adding detail also helps to give a slower-feeling pace, as also illustrated above.
So, I guess the trick to pacing is all in the sentence structure! Next time you write, give some thought to your word choice and sentence length. Using the right ones may be the key to storytime happiness!
Further questions and comments on this column are welcome.
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