Your Novel Isn't Too Slow

It's Too Predictable

“The pacing feels too slow.”

That’s one of the most common pieces of feedback new authors get from readers of their early drafts.

And nine times out of ten, those alpha and beta readers are wrong.

Because trimming descriptions, slashing dialogue, and even cutting whole scenes won’t fix the issue that’s really making your novel boring.

Why not?

When writers are told their books suffer from slow pacing, they usually jump to the conclusion that not enough is happening. And that assumption sound reasonable. After all, pretty much everyone has been conditioned to equate excitement with rapid-fire action.

It’s a tendency I see a lot while professionally editing my author clients’ novels.

But let’s take a look at a novel that’s widely considered one of the most gripping works of popular science fiction in recent times: Jurassic Park.

Read the full post on Substack.