Novel Pacing Guide: How to Manage the Rhythm and Tempo of Your Story

Authors have a lot of tools they can use to keep readers engrossed and turning pages — and pacing ranks right up there at the top. An effective novel pace can help you accomplish the following:

Create tension, suspense and emotional impactHeighten the impact of key momentsGenerate anticipationCreate a sense of urgencyMake the story more compelling and memorable

In short, pacing can make or break a novel’s ability to captivate readers. It helps maintain the reader’s intere...