When I walk Rascal, I have to set the pace. If I have time, I let out more leash to let her explore. When I don't, I shorten the leash and walk briskly. Otherwise, I'm at her mercy, being pulled along or getting stopped when that's not what I want.
When you've finished your manuscript, it's a good idea to go through it and check for pacing. Does it race through areas where you'd rather have your readers linger?
Does it drag where you want it to race?
To get a manuscript to slow down, add more sentences. Make the sentences longer. Throw in more descriptions.
To set a faster pace, shorten the sentences. Eliminate adjectives, except for the most vital. Use action verbs.
Remember, you're in control of your manuscript's pace. Lengthen or shorten the leash as needed.
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com
4 comments:
What kind of dog? He's a cutie.
Good explanation of pacing.
Marilyn http://fictionforyou.com
Hi Morgan,
Sentence dynamics are key to tightening pacing. Loved the picture of Rascal!
Maggie from The Book Spa
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheBookSpa/
Thanks for your comments, Marilyn & Maggie.
Marilyn, you wanted to know what kind of dog Rascal is. She's part Amstaff (pit bull) and part Dalmatian. The Dalmatian part of her makes her deaf, but she doesn't know the difference.
Morgan Mandel
www.morganmandel.com
http://acmeauthorslink.blogspot.com
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Thanks for the post, Morgan. Your dog is cute.
Elaine Cantrell
www.elainepcantrell.blogspot.com
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