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DasIstWunderblyat
Oct '18

How do you handle pacing in your novel? Like just how you know you're going too fast or too slow? Which is more preferrable to you: reading a slow or fast paced story? Is it true that people like faster paced story more?

I have almost never been aware of my technical side of writing as it is just a hobby, I just make shit up as I go. One time in Wattpad, some people commented on my story that it is painfully slow paced (it is not the one I have here).

For me I am kind of torn between my and my reader's preference; I prefer slower paced story as it is tend to be more immersive for me. In another hand they could be right about my pacing and I have been dragging up the habit to my current novel here.

What about you?

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    Oct '18

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    Apr '19
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ar-ninetysix
Oct '18

In short, do what feels right and keep it consistent. If you want a fast scene to feel fast, write it short and to the point. Slower scenes tend to be longer when written out. The length of sentences also helps matters, shorter sentences are read faster, longer ones tend to feel slow. The amount of decoration that you put in your sentences also affect how long everything overall feels. You can read this and maybe get a feel of how you're writing. I'm relatively new to writing novels, and I know it certainly helped me sort of find my footing.

Penni
Oct '18

If I feel like my story is too slow paced, I will go back and re-read sections and ask myself "Does this serve a purpose in the story?" (Sometimes that purpose isn't always made obvious to the reader right away :wink:) If it doesn't then I get rid of it. For me, having a general outline helps keeps me on track.

As @ar-ninetysix said, the reader can get distracted by a lot of details (something I'm still working on), so there are a few tithings to take into consideration!

Chroma
Oct '18

On the flipside of things though, dont be afraid to take your time. My number one issue when I started writing was that I tried making my plot move way too quickly. If the audience likes your world, they'll listen to the way you describe it. Let your pacing slow down now and then and just breathe for a bit. This isnt a movie after all. I devoted almost a page to describing the inside of a magical tower in It Lurks Inside Us, and the test readers I showed it to said it was one of the best parts of the chapter! People love some good description, as long as interesting!

spicy_sweets
Oct '18

See, I plan out novels chapter by chapter to get a feel of what should be happening. The mood and actions determine pacing. I wouldn't write an action scene like a stroll in the park, nor vice versa.

As for preferences, that depends on the plot and genre(s). I'm not a fan of fast-paced romances, but if a sci-fi goes too fast and I can't follow the details then that's a problem. It's not one or the other, there should be a nice balance, to give readers a breather.

lsyliu
Oct '18

Outlining is the only way I can keep pacing on point.

I would suggest Million Dollar Outlines by David Farland if you can get hold of a copy. It's an AMAZING book.

ratscout
Oct '18

People on Tapas, I think, and people reading webnovels in general, probably prefer a faster pace--something that raises the stakes quickly, but also something that doesn't take much time to develop the characters. I myself prefer a slower--but still entertaining--read. I think in order to be absorbed in a fictional piece of writing, the writer has to take the time to ground the reader in the world and let the reader see inside of the main character's head. It takes time to do it, but it's worth it in my opinion <3.

A safe bet for pacing is to have major events in your novel planned out, and on the way to reaching those events, you take the time to develop the characters and the world.

I personally think the pacing in your novel is just fine. You're taking the time to let the reader understand Kora and his friends as characters instead of just, like, throwing him into random, heated situations first thing. Because you took the time to let me know who Kora is as a character, it raised the stakes in the confrontation with his uncle. So you've done well~!

DasIstWunderblyat
Oct '18
1
Penni

Ah, great point about purpose! I have to keep that in mind always when editing :smiley:
Yeah I have to hold myself from writing in excruciating detail (as I want reader to get the exact image and feels), but recently I have learnt that shorter powerful description also works.

Oops, I just realized I never really outline my story

Penni
Oct '18

Outlines are everyone's thing. I do it to remind myself of big events in the story and so I know how well I'm progressing through the story.

DasIstWunderblyat
Oct '18
1
lsyliu

I never outline this one story properly, I realized. Oh no. :cold_sweat:
But well, maybe I will try to! (I'm googling how to do it)

I never heard of the book, but I will definitely look it up :slight_smile:

DasIstWunderblyat
Oct '18
Penni

Is it the thing like... Planning events in kind of flowchart? Do you have to write it down too?
Mostly I plan events in my mind, and only write the broad summary of my story from start to end in fear I'll get my memory lost (irrational, I know)
I only do that kind of thing to sync parallel different arcs, or to stay consistent with timeline.

Zaboem
Oct '18

This is a crummy answer, I admit. It depends on your story. Some romances and horror stories benefit from a slow build. That same pace can be deadly to an action story.

One of my favorite books is the fantasy novel Saga of the Seven Stars. I loved the easy pacing of that book. The direct sequel by the same author, I hated because the needlessly frantic pace was frustrating to read. There was really no way to have predicted this outcome without feedback from beta readers.

DasIstWunderblyat
Oct '18

Ooh! Nice perspective :smiley:
I never write action or action focused story myself (and honestly rarely read one), so perhaps that explain!
Question though, can we change pace depending on scene (like from suspenseful hiding to some revelation and ass kicking scene?)

Penni
Oct '18
DasIstWunderblyat

I write mine down because I have so much going on in my head that I forget stuff. So if I have a really good idea, I instantly add it to my outline, so I don't forget about it. All my outlines are pretty broad though. It helps me to write down the big events of the story to ensure that everything makes sense and I'm not creating plot holes for myself. Sometimes just physically looking at words helps me iron out the story.

My brain has enough responsibilities; I just try to help it out :joy:

DasIstWunderblyat
Oct '18
ratscout

Yeah, I noticed it too the difference between printed novel and webnovel reader. In my early Wattpad experience many complains 5000 words for a chapter is too much and I was like Have you really read...Ehm, a printed book? They also prefer everything to be fast and to the point, no dot connecting or plot guessing. Guess I can do pretty much nothing except adapt.

Great point on the character! I think I am the same in this one, I need to know the character well to be immersed in the story and sympathize with. :smiley:

Also thank you for the feedback :heart: :blush:

5 months later
LordLacroix
Apr '19

There is a sort of rule to control pace in a novel, when we have actions happening the time is passing and when we move to inside our characters and make them learn and evolve time stops. Also time can be controled by inserting it directly to the novel, I do that a lot in my one. Since there is a countdown to an event it is easy to perceive time advancing. Skip scenes is also a trick very used, flashbacks usually pauses the flow of time too. Hope that I could give you some light to the vast subject.

Rasp
Apr '19

I keep major time passages to between chapters. like If I don't wanna spell out the characters walking from one location to another I jump there during a chapter break. Otherwise just... don't spend time on things are aren't important or at least interesting. An interesting but ultimately pointless diversion can be a good thing. I'm basically at a point in my novel where I deliberate sidetracked off the main plot to not have to resolve it in the next three chapters. Sometimes you need filler but you cant make it FEEL like filler. You give it some merit.

That's one way the other is to just keep throwing things at the reader. Current main plot winding down? Drop the next one quickly. Build in some falling action build in some downtime but make sure the next big event is in the background.

21 days later
iclryu
Apr '19
1
ar-ninetysix

I agree entirely with @ar-ninetysix and @Penni ! Everyone has a good point.

When writing you have to do what feels right for you, but also for your plot overall, which (at least for me) is hard. Often, I'm sitting down with my editor, and he'll tell me to cut out an exchange or dialogue I like because it takes away from the story, or delays the end goal. I have to sit down and see how I can edit it to get the same feeling or point across, and at other times I say, "Screw it, I'm leaving it, because I think it's funny (or romantic)."

I like slow burns, especially in romances. If you want to make a slow burn, or just enjoy writing them in general, place plot points within each scene to keep your readers wrapped. Add character development, tie things within the scenes to your plot, your character's personality, and or growth.

You mentioned liking how you become immersed in slower paced books. If that's the feeling you want then add chapter material that makes you feel engaged. I for one focus on pathos. Attract the readers emotionally, or even comedically (based on your genre).

In my opinion, you can do so much with a slow-paced book. I'm the type that never wants a book to end. So, I have nothing against them. I hope these tips help!