What is the correct pacing?

aldigi

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I started wring a year ago my first book in a fan-fic of One punch man, The second one is a fantasy called "Why can't I Die?"
A typical isekai ressurected into another world theme, my problem is everytime i finished a chapter it feels like the pacing is sometimes too fast and sometimes too slow, I tried to create a story map, to follow but it doesn't really help me, any suggestions or tips?
 

Hans.Trondheim

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It will depend on the genre, theme you're writing, and your style as an author. Like, you wouldn't want a fast-paced, high octane action sequences if you plan to write a fantasy adventure that is focused on the 'characterization' of the characters (Slice of Life fantasy fiction), in contrast to just narrating the events (adventure fantasy).

Here's I can give you: determine the genre, and theme, of your story. Then adapt your style accordingly. Have beta-readers (people you trust) go and read it, then give you feedback. Story mapping won't help your problem with pacing, since it's for determining the direction of your story, not how fast or slow it will go.
 

John_Owl

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in a nutshell, steady. Basically, don't rush through slow, expository parts, but also don't take forever to slog through fast paced action. you want action to FEEL fast and times when the characters are just sitting around relaxing, chatting, and having a snack should FEEL a bit slower.
 

CharlesEBrown

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I found one thing that helps with pacing are role-playing game manuals. The most useful was one called "Now Playing" designed to make game sessions out of any television show, which got into detail about beats and breaks and setting up acts and scenes.

Not saying I am an expert, but the guidelines in games like that do help as much as actual writing can.

But, ultimately, the best pacing is what works for you and the story you want to tell.

If you really need a guide, I would suggest watching some older television shows; if you're doing an action, mystery or thriller, then focus one ones that were pseudo-serials like most of superhero shows (especially the ones from the 70s and 80s; some of the more modern ones actually have serious pacing issues), or true serials (like The Fugitive) or had serial arcs like Doctor Who (though the pacing in the earliest episodes from the first three years can be a bit wonky too). Modern shows that seem to have pacing down would include things like True Detective (especially the first and third seasons). If you are doing more slice-of-life or romance stuff, soap operas can give a good guide (especially if you wind up juggling a lot of characters), and there are some very good Korean ones on Netflix to look into for this as well.

If you are looking for things to avoid, you can find some good negative examples in the first few seasons of American Horror Story or Netflix's Iron Fist and Luke Cage (all of these showed clear signs of the "X # of episodes" syndrome - "We have a contract for 12 episodes, but have either 10 or 14 episodes worth of story... nobody will notice if we use a bludgeon to make it fit in the contract").
 
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