Hey all! Just wanted to get your take on something I've been troubling over. I'm well into my novel, a fantasy epic that I hope to complete in the next few weeks. When I read through what I've written, I think "Gosh, this is moving WAY too fast! Maybe I should slow the pacing a bit, give the reader time to breathe." But some of the critters don't seem to share in my opinion. Some of them tell me to cut out description and just get to the exciting parts. But in my mind, that's pushing the pace a little too much. So what do you think? Is it best to let the tale unfold gradually, or do I keep the pedal pushed to the floor? I understand every story is different, but I'd like to know some thoughts about the kind of story people are more likely to be drawn to. Thanks!
[This message has been edited by andersonmcdonald (edited January 31, 2010).]
Posted by Betsy Hammer (Member # 8139) on :
The more I work on something, the faster the pacing seems to go. The same goes for things I read and re-read. My guess is that your ability to judge pacing is impaired because you're the author.
A paragraph with new info or a vivid action sequence is going to slow the pace while the reader absorbs it, imagines it, guesses at what's going to happen next. Because you wrote it and have probably read it a zillion time over, you might not feel the pauses that are actually there.
This also might be why the critters want you to cut description. You can read and comprehend those sentences in a fraction of the time it takes a new reader. What you might consider a breathe, could be long vacation for them.
When's the last time you heard someone complain about a book with relentless, can't-put-it-down pacing? Move slow enough for comprehension (of plot, setting, etc.), but no slower.
I've never read your work, so this can't reflect on you personally, but I don't think readers usually complain about 'pacing.' That sounds like word someone might use in place of 'boring.' And if it's boring, it simply must be cut or replaced. Don't worry about it, though. Your readers are eager to get to the next big part in your book. That's awesome! Get out of their way and let them enjoy.
Posted by andersonmcdonald (Member # 8641) on :
Thanks so much Betsy! Great insight. Your comments about my own perceptions as the author is something I hadn't thought of. You've been extremely helpul. I'm in your debt!
Posted by Kitti (Member # 7277) on :
Keeping a novel fast-paced is all well and good, but be wary of sacrificing world-building to action. Especially in medieval-ish fantasy, milieu can sometimes be the difference between me looking at something and saying "ho, hum, another generic fantasy" and me becoming totally immersed in a new world. And that might also be the difference between a book that does and doesn't find an agent/editor/sale....
Posted by Teraen (Member # 8612) on :
Speed up the slow parts: Cut description, sentence length, etc.
Slow down the fast parts: Add description, increase sentence length, etc.
Do both and meet it halfway!
Posted by Teraen (Member # 8612) on :
Also, it's ok to speed up pacing near the end. ESPECIALLY at the end. Keeps people turning the pages and increases suspense.
Posted by sholar (Member # 3280) on :
Are your beta readers fans of the genre? That might matter.
Posted by andersonmcdonald (Member # 8641) on :
The critiques of this have been pretty much positive. The book begins in the middle of the action, and the background is filled in as you go along. Story-wise, it's fast paced. There's virtually something exciting happening in every chapter (of course, I am the author, so maybe I'm a bit biased on that!)One critter pointed out (quote) "five very intense moments in one chapter". He loved that, but he didn't care for the few paragraphs I used to set it up. New characters were introduced in that chapter, and I wanted to give the reader some insight into their personalities before things heated up. I was a little stunned that he thought I should skip the few paragraphs of set-up and just get on with the action. I fully expected the book to be too fast-paced for some readers. That's a taste thing. I didn't anticipate being told to speed it up!
Posted by andersonmcdonald (Member # 8641) on :
Messed up the quote. The critter said "five amazingly tense scenes in one chapter". Honestly not trying to blow my horn, just wanted to quote him accurately. There's been a fair share of negatives as well, such as "the shifting of PoV's gives me a headache", or "arrgh! I hate it when a writer withholds information from the reader that is known to the MC" or something like that. Those things I am in the process of fixing, however.
Posted by Teraen (Member # 8612) on :
How much of this work is finished? I'd be willing to give you a critique, if you want... though you'll have to wait until summer for any type of response. I'm in school right now, and sort of swamped. I'm already behind in my responses to short stories from the WOTF group... But if you don't mind waiting for a response, I'd be happy to read your work.
Posted by andersonmcdonald (Member # 8641) on :
Thanks Teraen! It's currently at chapter 13, or thereabouts. I'm doing some rearranging of scenes right now, as well as writing up the final chapters. Up to chapter 13 is finished, at least as a draft. I will go back and polish them up a bit. After chapter 13, well things are progressing, but they're still too disjointed to send out. I hope to have a first draft of the final chapters in the coming weeks, although I am allowing myself some wiggle-room in case I stumble upon a Really Great Idea. LOL. I can send you the first thirteen chapters if you want.
Posted by Teraen (Member # 8612) on :
Since it will take time to get it back to you, just wait until you have a draft you feel is ready enough for review. How's that?
Posted by andersonmcdonald (Member # 8641) on :