Pacing
I knew someone whose manuscript was rejected because of uneven pacing. It was the first time I'd heard of such a thing, and boy did it scare me. Thinking about pacing, for me, is like thinking about calculus or trying to get home from the Orlando airport. I get lost. Easily. Frequently. But I've managed to glean a few tidbits about pacing from different places (and since it's been a while I don't know who to thank--sorry!). 1. Pacing should slow when there's tension. I take that to mean we want the moment to stretch out wire-taut. 2. Pacing can be linked to conflict issues . So if your middle is sagging, your pacing might be off. 3. Pacing is the rhythm of the novel. Check out this excellent article by bestselling author Vicki Hinze. What have you heard about pacing? How's the pacing in your manuscript? Your life? *grin* Any good advice to share?