Tempo ?

[MrBF1V3]

Lately in a story I'm writing the concept of tempo has come to the forefront.

Usually I have an instinctual idea of whether the action is being presented too slow or too fast, (usually too fast, and I attempt to decompress the story). But I'm working on a story where the characters are in two different time frames (Think on both sides of the wardrobe in Narnia, but not quite so drastic.), so I'm having to give the whole pacing thing more than it's usual amount of consideration.

So, I thought it might be helpful to know what some of you do to make sure the tempo is right. How about it, how do you set the pace?

B5

 

[Tariel]

Get somebody else to read it and get their opinions. That's pretty much the most foolproof method I've found. I've got a similar situation...and I know the whole gut feeling thing works about as well

 

[CelticRose]

I'm lousy at pacing my stories. Either I abbreviate way too much or waffle endlessly. Most people who read it are o.k with the pace but I never am. I think I'm a poor jusdge so I would go with an outside opinion.

 

[oncewaslost]

i usually go with what i think. depends how i want to set the mood. i read over it a million times before i settle.

 

[MrBF1V3]

:Yeah, I've found a second, or third opinion to be helpful at times.
When I'm not going completely by instinct, I've found shorter sentences make the action seem more immediate, but I'm not sure if it does much for the pace.

Thanks for the ideas.

B5

 

[Tariel]

:Yeah, I've found a second, or third opinion to be helpful at times.
When I'm not going completely by instinct, I've found shorter sentences make the action seem more immediate, but I'm not sure if it does much for the pace.

Thanks for the ideas.

B5

short paragraphs