The Secret Weapon of Bestsellers: Level Up Your Pacing

What is Pacing?More about rhythm than speedReader engagement is key - avoid sections that feel like a slogDifferent genres have different pacing expectations (e.g., thrillers vs. literary fiction)Crafting PacingSentence Length: Short = fast, Long = slowActive Voice & Description: "Show, don't tell" keeps things movingParagraph Length: Vary length and break up long blocks of textFormatting: Use sparingly - long quotes, italics, footnotesSeries Writing: Consider ongoing elements that won't become burdensomeInformation Reveal: Control the flow of information for suspenseChapter Endings: Cliffhangers or unresolved conflicts keep readers hookedDialogue: Natural delivery to reveal character and advance plot Vary length for pacing: short = tension, long = build relationshipsImproving PacingSelf-Review: Re-read your work - identify boring sectionsRevision: Experiment and refine pacing - big edits are OKRead & Watch: Learn from your genre & films - analyze pacing techniquesComparative Analysis: Compare your pacing to published works (page-by-page)Cheat Sheet: Check out the podcast's resource for key pacing tipsRemember:Pacing is an iterative process that improves with practice and revision.Keep reading, experimenting, and revising to master pacing in your writing.Bonus:Support the podcast and explore their resources for more writing advice!Send us Fan Mail Support the showVisit the WebsiteFind Full Episodes on YouTube!Writers with Wrinkles Link Tree for socials and more!