Pacing your book
The deeper I get into these revisions, the more I realize that I had absolutely no concept of pacing. I would “wing it” to figure out when the first kiss would happen, when the first love scene would happen, etc. etc. Basically wherever it felt right, I’d go for it.
Now, I’m discovering that my instincts were way off. I resolved issues far too soon. I had no idea that romantic tension had to last pretty much until the last page. Hoo boy. Lots of rewriting.
I think writing emotional tension is, quite possibly, the hardest writing in the universe. You can’t tell your audience what the characters are feeling…you have to show it through their actions, through their internal thoughts, and it has to ring true. Give me an action scene any day. Much easier!
In other news, the “parents” are back in action. Yes, now that I’ve given a few quizzes and my first test, the excuses are coming from every direction. :loser: “We just moved here and she’s having adjustment issues.” “He lost his study guide.” “He/she didn’t know he had a test.” It’s funny how parents feel the need to speak on behalf of their kids. Many want to know when the retest will be. Uh…never? With 120 students, that ain’t happening. I have 31 kids in my fifth period class. Keeping up with basic communication is tricky enough, much less grading the papers. A lot of parents aren’t accustomed to middle school where their child is one of many. They seem to believe that teachers have the time to sign every agenda, call whenever they don’t do an assignment (excuse me while I laugh hysterically at that one):rotfl:, and drop everything for a conference.
The parents who I LOVE are the ones who say a simple, “Thanks for letting me know about the bad test. We’ll work on it.” Great! That’s all I want. No excuses, just–we’ll fix the problem. And it’s even better when they do. Love that.
My favorite feeling in the world is when you have a student who has bombed a quiz, but pulls it together and aces the test. That happened yesterday. A little girl got F’s on both her geography quizzes and then studied hard and earned a 98 on the test. I just want to give her a high five. 
Anyway, enough rambling. Just wanted to say sorry to those who have visited my blog and I haven’t yet returned the favor. I’m working on that. 
But I usually save my visits as a reward for finishing more revisions. If I haven’t visited you lately, I’ll be there soon! Promise!
Michelle posted in Writing @ 7:15 am | Viewed 1308 times
Leanna Ellis Says:
Writing is REwriting. I relearn this with every book.
Mary Says:
The best book on pacing is Techniques of a Selling Writer by Swain. I use the concepts every time.
Melissa Mc Says:
Pacing is always tricky. I still struggle with it. But that’s what revisions are for. Good luck. You can do it!
Melissa Says:
Pacing is definitely a tough one. But recognizing the problem is half the battle.
Kelly Says:
Oh man, give me an emotionally tense scene over an action scene ANY day! I love upping the angst and sexual tension in a book, it’s my favorite. It’s when I have to do an action scene that my creativity seems to run off and join the circus.:whistle:
Brian Says:
I have no experience in writing novels, but I know that my “concept of pacing” was way off back when I was single and dating. Believe me, there was always tension until the last page!
:batman:
Leslie Says:
I hear ya on writing those emotional scenes. They are SO hard to do!! And I love it when you talk about your “day” job - as a mom with a middle-schooler, I want to hear things from the teacher’s perspective. Tomorrow is back to school night - those are always interesting!!
Crystal* Says:
Bless your heart!
I understand completely about pacing. I blocked out a novel and realized that I had action for two weeks, wrote a sentence saying that a month had passed, and then had action for another two weeks.:loser: Duh.
Once I mapped it all out, I did much better.
And apologies for how long this will probably be…
We had “Open House” last night. I’m bickering with the Principal and Superintendent. I’m a FULLY involved parent, but I can tell you right now that I don’t make excuses. I’m sure the chickens wish I did. hehehe
Right now my fourth and fifth grader have six teachers each. One of their grades is falling. She’s been tested and is advanced. Do you know of a way that I can approach this and not step on too many toes? Then again, I’ve had one go-round and probably pissed quite a few people off. SIGH
What grade do you teach?
Grins*
Tori Says:
I shudder to think how off my pacing is….
Rene Says:
I actually have a formula for pacing. I think of my books like mathematical equations and base my plot and tension lines on numerical markers in my word count.
I get so frustrated with my son. He is so lazy when it comes to school. He didn’t do his homework today and I left him to sink or swim. I don’t understand parents who feel they have to catch their children when they fall with school work. My son knows exactly when his work is due and should be responsible for it. I think a couple of times of paying the consequences will cure him of his lazy behavior.
Danica Says:
Well, considering my past two rejections were for pacing, I know exactly where you’re at. And I have no clue what to tell you, because I am exactly in the stuck pacing part of the story right now. I’m just pushing through, hoping it will get better, and that in revisions I can fix it. *crossing fingers*
Margery Says:
Haven’t I been telling you for years how hard writing emotion is? But you can do it!!!
Michelle Says:
Mary–I have Dwight Swain’s book but I haven’t read it lately. Good idea!
Kelly–I’ll trade you!
Brian–hey, you got your happy ending after all. No sweat.
Chrys–I teach sixth grade. If I were you, I’d try and pinpoint why the grade is falling. If she’s advanced it could be that she’s bored
or it could be a cry for attention…or she may not be mastering the material. Talk to your daughter and see if you get beyond the standard, “I don’t know” response. Good luck! 
Amy K. Says:
Parents have some nerve, huh? That would drive me NUTS. You, and most other teachers out there, are a saint. Seriously.
Christine Keach Says:
Jeez, woman! I have a hard enough time getting grading done and keeping up with my 46 students! (That’s 46 students total for 3 classes.) Guess I really can’t complain, now can I?
Happy Anniversary! I hope you have many more years of joys and happiness ahead of you!
Suzanne Says:
The parents drove me insane when I was teaching……….