Novel Essentials: Narrative Pacing

Class Description

Every novel tells the story of characters moving through time, but how should a novelist manipulate that time span? Which periods should be hurried through with an overarching narrative summary, and which should be lingered over, in detailed scenes with dialogue and description? When should the author take the time to create atmosphere and environmental detail, and when should the plot move forward at a faster pace, ensuring the reader’s continued interest and excitement? These questions form one of the most complex and difficult of a novelist’s challenges: determining a novel’s pace and momentum.

In this seminar, we'll analyze the elements of pacing and the many speeds and styles with which narratives can carry the reader through time. We'll examine the published work of several authors to find examples of different narrative speeds, and we'll discuss the pitfalls of books that are too fast, too slow, too stilted, or too detailed. We'll also discuss each attendee's project and explore the connection between the aim and genre of a novel and the pacing it requires. By the end of the seminar, each writer will have gained an understanding of the mechanics of pacing and, in addition, will have a better sense of which pace would work best for their own book.

Consider taking this seminar alone or alongside the other seminars in this series: Novel Essentials: Narrative Style (March 23), Novel Essentials: Narrative Perspective (April 13), Novel Essentials: Arcs and Endings (June 22).

Class Format

This class will take place in-person at our Center for Creative Writing in Boston's Seaport neighborhood.

Scholarship Information

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