As you settle in for a night of reading, you eagerly crack open the spine of the latest book you’ve been waiting to dive into.
The cover is beautiful, the characters sound intriguing, and the plot promises to keep you on the edge of your seat. But as you read on, you can’t help but feel a sinking feeling in your stomach.
The pacing just isn’t right.
You try to push through, hoping that things will pick up, but no matter how much you read, the story just doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.
The characters are interesting enough, but they’re not doing anything particularly exciting, and the plot seems to be moving at a snail’s pace.
You can’t help but wonder what’s wrong. Is it you?
Are you just not in the right mood for this kind of story? Or is it the book itself? Is there something wrong with the pacing that’s keeping you from getting invested?
As you continue to read, you start to realise that the culprit is indeed pacing.
The story is taking too long to get to the point, and the slow pace is sapping your enthusiasm for the book.
You find yourself flipping ahead, hoping to find something that will hook you, but even the most exciting moments are bogged down by the slow pacing.
You’re disappointed.
You had such high hopes for this book, but it’s just not living up to your expectations. You consider giving up on it altogether, but a small part of you wants to see it through, to see if things pick up later on.
In the end, you soldier on, reading page after page, hoping for a change.
And eventually, after what feels like an eternity, things do start to pick up. The pacing quickens, the plot twists become more exciting, and before you know it, you’re fully invested in the story.
Looking back, you realise that understanding pacing as a reader is crucial to enjoying a book. Without it, even the most interesting characters and compelling plot can fall flat.
But when the pacing is right, a story can come alive, captivating you and pulling you deeper into its world with each turn of the page.
Pacing critically affects your reading experience.
Pacing refers to the speed at which events unfold in a story, and how quickly or slowly the plot progresses.
Good pacing doesn’t simply mean that the plot has to unfold at breakneck speed.
A story with good pacing should have a sense of momentum that keeps you turning the pages, but it should also allow for moments of reflection and introspection. The pace should be varied, with faster moments of action and tension balanced out by slower moments of character development and world-building.
A few things to keep in mind about pacing.
- Pacing can affect your engagement with the story: If the pacing is too slow, you may lose interest in the story, whereas if it’s too fast, you may feel like you don’t have enough time to absorb what’s happening.
- Pacing varies depending on the genre: Different genres have different expectations when it comes to pacing. For example, thrillers and mysteries often have fast-paced plots that keep readers on the edge of their seats, while literary fiction may have a slower pace that allows for more introspection and character development.
- Pacing can be affected by the author’s writing style: An author’s writing style can also affect the pacing of a story. For example, short, snappy sentences and dialogue can create a faster pace, while longer, more descriptive passages can slow things down.
- Pay attention to changes in pacing: A sudden change in pacing can signal a shift in the story, such as the introduction of a new plot twist or a change in setting. Paying attention to these changes can help you anticipate what’s coming next.
Overall, understanding pacing as a reader can help you better appreciate and engage with the stories you read.
And the next time you feel like you’re not enjoying a book you feel like you should be, consider is it the pacing bogging it down?
Want to get more out of reading books?
Grab this FREE guide on how to start a reading journal, complete with review templates, reading trackers and bingo sheets.
Understand yourself better as a reader, engage more with the books you read & make space for creative self-expression. Get it now!
“When Sasha Barrett gets bitten by a snake on a mission, her squad captain’s quick actions not only save her life, but also make her realise something she may have known all along…“
