Pacing Issues with my 2nd Arc

[HarryGarland]

Hello, fellow SHubbers.

This is a more heavy request, requires more free time and attention span.

I need feedback for the pacing in the second arc of my story, starting from Chapters 6.1 until Chapters 9.2

The details:
Herald, discovers his resemblance to a dead boy of Ibis Village. With this, he wonders if his relationship with Natalie was real, or it was because he looked like her dead brother. Chapters 6.3, 7.1, 8.1 and 8.2 is Herald processing the problem, his conclusion and what he does about it.

My intention:
I want to cut out those chapters and let the story go from chapter 6.2, 7.2 and into 8.3. The segment where Herald processes his discovery I will publish as an addendum at the end of the second arc.

My question:
It's said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. So, is the pacing broken?

Many thanks, fellow SHubbers.

 

[Puffikki]

Well, let's think about it this way:

Do the chapters repeat the same thought without any new development? Is Herald actively navigating with the conflict, or just walking in circles inside his head? Does each chapter add a new fresh coat of paint? - (new info/lore drop, emotion, decision, etc)

If the first thing you think is that they're kind of repetitive, then yeah, pacing probably will feel snail-like. That's when you compress and tighten them up, rather than cutting. Lotta authors often go back and fix their old chapters all the time, for example. And to be honest, imo, every chapter is forever a final draft until you do some kind of official publishing. lol

Moving to an addendum sounds like a risk of turning important character development into optional reading, or making Herald feel flat emotionally in your main arc. 8.3 could feel like a sudden truck-kun.

Try taking a shot at condensing them into 1-2 tightened chapters, add more impact, weave in some internal conflict into any ongoing action instead of isolating it, and maybe keep at least one key moment where your character confronts the issue.

So then it also becomes a question of: are readers gonna be feeling the drag-zees? or are you just brimming with anxiety that they might?