When you’re writing, do you think about pacing?  Do you plan out the speed of it? Do you orchestrate a certain number of scenes that will zoom and others that will amble along?

There are so many things to pay attention to when we’re writing a book, often we inadvertently leave the behind-the-scenes fundamentals to chance. If you gain a thorough understanding of the elements of writing fiction before you write, it’ll be much easier to keep track of them while you’re writing.

Pacing is one of those elements that is important but can slip through the cracks if you don’t pay attention to it. You’re thrilled when a reviewer says that your book is a page-turner, but do you know what that means. It doesn’t actually mean the book races along at a break-neck speed. Instead, it means that it moves fast enough to keep the reader’s interest, but slows and pauses just enough to let the reader gasp for a breath now and then. If you wear the reader out at too frenzied a pace, they won’t want to read another page turner.  Striking a balance in your pace is what will keep the interest of your reader.