What you may well ask, is pacing?
It can
refer to the rhythm of the novel, the rate the reader reads, the speed at which
events take place in the story. Usually, it refers to the latter.
What
speeds up the pace? Dialogue. Every good book begins with the protagonist
wanting something.
S/he might
not know what it is s/he wants on page one, but s/he had better have found out
by page 30, and 20 would be even better. Everything that follows should lead to
the achievement of that goal. Other characters have their own particular goals,
which often prove to be obstacles to the protagonist.
If there
are two conflicting goals for the same character, then the battle is within that
character. Each goals is a plot arc. The main arc should open at the beginning
of the story and close at the climax. Smaller arcs can open and close along the
way and stay relevant to the particular character by showing their motivation,
agency and desire.
Pacing,
therefore, refers to the length of time between moments of conflict.
1 comment:
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