Pacing Perfected: Keep Your Readers Hooked

Great stories are all about momentum—knowing when to speed up, when to slow down, and how to keep readers turning the page.

Pacing is what keeps a story alive. Too slow, and readers lose interest. Too fast, and they don’t have time to absorb what matters. The trick? Controlling the rhythm so your story moves with purpose.

Let’s look at some ways to sharpen your pacing for maximum impact.

1. Scene vs. Summary: When to Slow Down and When to Speed Up

Not every moment needs to be in slow motion. Some deserve full scenes, others just a quick summary.

• Use scenes for high-stakes moments—action, emotional turning points, or key decisions.

• Use summary for transitions, backstory, or uneventful time passing.

🚫 She spent weeks training, pushing herself harder each day, until she was finally ready.
✅ She lunged, missed, and lunged again. Her arms ached. Her breath burned. Still, she refused to stop.

2. Hooks and Cliffhangers: Keep Readers Needing More

A well-placed hook keeps your story unputdownable.

• End chapters with a question, revelation, or high-stakes decision.

• Open scenes with tension—start in the middle of the action, not before it.

🚫 They arrived at the house and knocked on the door.
✅ The door swung open before they could knock. Someone had been waiting.

3. Sentence Length: The Secret Weapon of Pacing

Short sentences speed things up. Long sentences slow them down. Use both strategically.

• Fast action? Short, punchy sentences. Quick beats. Like this.

• Introspective moments? Let sentences breathe. Add rhythm. Linger on details.

🚫 He ran. He was scared. He turned a corner. He kept running. (Choppy.)
✅ He ran, heart pounding. The streetlights blurred past. No time to think. No time to stop. (Varied pace.)

Pacing isn’t about speed—it’s about control. Know when to push forward, when to pause, and when to leave your readers hanging.

🔒 Full subscribers: Let’s break down pacing techniques and try an exercise for refining your own.