Over the holidays, my husband and I went to see Marty Supreme. I loved it. He did not. The movie’s frantic pacing left him overwhelmed, while I was thrilled from start to finish. That difference got me thinking about how pacing can make or completely derail a story.

In writing, pacing doesn’t get nearly enough attention. In critique groups, we usually share single chapters, which makes pacing hard to diagnose. For me, the idea of pacing often shows up later, during developmental edits, when I’m filling in plot holes, tightening storylines, and getting the manuscript ready for my line editor and proofreader.

I’ll admit something: I’ve read other writers’ chapters and felt that something was off, even though I couldn’t quite name the problem. Now I know what the uneasy feeling was. It was pacing.

SO WHAT IS GOOD PACING?

Google defines pacing as the rhythm and speed at which a story unfolds. True, but that’s only part of it. Pacing is really about balance: the dance between action and reaction.

Too much action and readers feel exhausted and disconnected. Too much reflection and the story starts to drag. The magic happens when events and emotions work together.

Sounds simple, right? It is, except writers have to manage this balance on three levels: the scene, the chapter, and the entire story. That’s where things get tricky.

HOW TO GET YOUR PACING RIGHT

Here are a few practical ways to make sure your novel keeps readers hooked:

• ASK FOR TARGETED FEEDBACK

When working with beta readers, don’t just ask if they liked the chapter. Ask about pacing specifically. Where did they feel impatient? Where did they skim? Where did they want more?

• KNOW YOUR GENRE’S EXPECTATIONS

Thrillers demand speed. Literary fiction invites reflection. Romance, fantasy, and sci-fi all have their own rhythms. Readers notice when pacing doesn’t match the genre.

•  READ YOUR MANUSCRIPT ALOUD

This is brutal and incredibly effective. You’ll hear when the story drags or feels rushed. If you’re bored, your readers will be, too.

• READ WIDELY IN YOUR GENRE          

Great pacing is best learned by example. Authors like Freida McFadden, Blake Crouch, Jim Butcher, and Martha Wells are masters at momentum. Pay attention to how their stories move.

• USE PACING TOOLS INTENTIONALLY

Avoid info dumps. Don’t pile on too many plotlines at once. Let conflict breathe instead of resolving it too easily. Vary chapter lengths. Alternate tense scenes with quieter ones. End chapters with a question or complication. Even sentence structure matters. Short sentences speed things up. Longer ones slow things down.

A CONFESSION (AND A RESOLUTION)

I’m slightly ashamed to admit that pacing has always been an afterthought for me. I use many of the techniques noted above, but mostly on instinct, not intention. That’s about to change.

What about you? How much do you think about pacing when you’re writing? And when someone says, “great pacing,” what books or films come to mind? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below.