How does pacing make you FEEL?

[Civilized Savagery]

So I was thinking the other day (it's like working out, you can't do it every day or you might hurt yourself), and decided that my best writing is definitely rather fast paced. This is tricky for me, because when I'm simply concise my writing lacks punch, but when I go for really powerful stuff, my pace slows to a crawl. Every once and a while I get in a sweet spot where everything's golden, but I haven't yet figured out to to replicate that.

Everyone's styles are different, and I wonder what you guys think about pacing in your own and other's writing. Is it something you think about while you write? Does it mostly not matter and will just come out of the other elements you build from? And hell, what do you think makes good pacing?

[Slavegirl]

I have one rule (and it applies to myself only, and only as a recommendation that may or may not work for others) when I write. Just write, don't worry about grammar or fancy words or pretty imagery. Just write. Get it down on paper (or computer screen as the case may be), let your characters do the talking. And after you're done, give it a bit, and then go back and read it. Out loud. You'll find places where the descriptions are weak, lacking, or sometimes nonexistent. You'll notice areas where the dialogue is forced, or doesn't sound like your character at all. Also, you can worry about grammar and spelling at this point. If you tackle these problems AFTER the story has been written, you're not so worried about it during the creative process itself.

Again though, this works for me, but may not work for others.

[Logan]

That's pretty much how I write.

I have always stressed to any newbie or even veteran that I have found the "raw" written work to be the most pleasing to read. From a flow and pacing standpoint, it just works. Everything fits in time, and it all feels right.

As Slavegirl said, I do recommend taking the time to read over what you've written multiple times, at least once out loud as it's written, so that you can correct your mistakes and hit up any trouble spots.

The most important thing, though, is to just write. I had a period where I focused so much on writing better, that I forgot to simply write.

[Saxon]

How Does pacing make you FEEL?

Warm and fuzzy.

[Duffy]

The most important thing, though, is to just write. I had a period where I focused so much on writing better, that I forgot to simply write.

Half the battle is writing, the other half is writing so that you enjoy it. Many writers speak of losing sight of the soul of writing once they start producing work to deadlines, quotas and the needs of their readers. Speaking from experience, I have lost all the joy that is to be had from academic research and constructing a critical argument against a key debate since starting university; now it has become formulaic, simplistic, colouring by numbers.

Don't lose sight of your objective - if it's to vent, to clear the crap from your head, then do it. If it's for fame, fortune and recognition, then perhaps Althanas and the internet at large is not for you.

Pacing in the end is like a drum beat, some people are just hearing a different rhythm.

[Hysteria]

For a while I tried to change my pace dependent on what was going on. So for example I would try and stretch out and slow down my writing during peacefull events, and then shorten and increase the pace during fights. However, it was harder to do than I expected and I also found that sometimes the pace of events was different to the pace of how my character percived the event.

For example the classic fight between master swordsmen. The fight is very quick, yet they are so focused that they percive it going slowly. During say, anime sword fights, the matrix, etc they will slow down events in order to allow the watcher to understand and also feel like they are there.

I guess like already mentioned, it comes down to personal likes. I like (already mentioned) produce my best work when I just sit down and get into the zone. Proofreading is really only usefull for fixing spelling mistakes (especially if I write with my eyes closed), not improving the quality of the writing.

Maybe just chuck on some fast music while writing fight scenes and slow stuff for peacefull times ;)