Pace (narrative)

In literature, pace or pacing is the speed at which a story is told—not necessarily the speed at which the story takes place.^[1][2][3] It is an essential element of storytelling that plays a significant role in maintaining reader interest, building tension, and conveying the desired emotional impact.^[4] The number of words needed to write about a certain event does not depend upon how much time the event takes to happen; it depends upon how important that moment is to the story.^[5] The pace is determined by the length of the scenes, how fast the action moves, and how quickly the reader is provided with information. A well-paced story effectively balances moments of high intensity and slower-paced sections to create a dynamic reading experience.^[6] It is also sometimes dictated by the genre of the story: comedies move faster than dramas; action adventures move faster than suspense.^[7] A dragging pace is characteristic of many novels turned down by publishers, and of some that find their way into print but not into the hearts and recommendations of readers. Manuscripts that move too slowly usually discourage readers from reading on.^[8] Through various editing techniques, such as cutting unnecessary details, rearranging scenes, or suggesting additions, editors assist in maintaining an engaging pace that keeps readers captivated. Yanna Popova and Elena Cuffari elaborate that as editors they, "explore the participatory structure of a narrative through its temporal unfolding and the specific, non-linear nature of the temporal dynamics of interacting with a storytelling agency".^[4] Popova and Cuffari make clear that the way an author unfolds a story through structuring that narrative's tale is essential to the way the audience will interpret it.^[4]