Writerly Advice - Pacing
πΎππππππ π»πππ on controlling Pace with Dialogue
There are times you want the reader to slow down and absorb the details of the text and there are times you want the readerβs eyes to fly over the page. As the writer, you are in charge of the pace and you can control it with dialogue.
Writing Quick Tipβ£β£β£β£β£β£β£β£
To slow down the pacing of the story, increase description between the dialogue and reduce the amount of white space on the page. Examples of when you would want to slow down the pace: to give subtext, to reflect, and show more emotion.
To increase the pace of the story, reduce description between dialogue and increase the amount of white space on the page. Examples of when you would want to increase the pace: fight scene, action sequence, and increase intensity.
Example Snippet: Because this is a race scene, I want the pace to move quickly. So there is a lot of white space between the dialogue. But then I add in description to the feeling of flying through the air to slow down the pace just a little because trapeze is one of the main characterβs favorite things about the circus.
Check it out below.
If you have any questions or would like more writerly posts like this one, leave me a comment below. You can find links below to follow me on Instagram (where I post daily), Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. Until next time, have fun indulging your imagination.
Follow Susan: