Tip 4: Pay Attention to Pacing
Hadiya Nuriddin, MA, MEd
Award-winning Senior Learning Strategist, Instructional Designer, and Elearning Developer | International Keynote Speaker | Author of StoryTraining and Quality Management in L&D | CPTD | CQIA | CPTM | WOSB-certified
We tell stories for many reasons, but a common thread that runs through those reasons is the desire to give insight into what we experienced during a memorable time in our lives. Part of that experience is the pace of events and its effect on our emotions. A rapid pace can create suspense to convey critical moments. Speed also helps the writer develop pressure and tension. A slower pace could facilitate the gradual development of characters and plot, giving enough time to explore complexities and nuances, which enriches the reader's understanding and emotional connection to the characters.
Pacing is also key in maintaining audience engagement because it forces the writer to modulate the story's rhythm to sustain interest. By controlling the flow of the narrative, you ensure that the story unfolds at an appropriate speed to keep readers engaged without overwhelming them. Varied pacing in a personal story mirrors the unpredictability and rhythms of real life, making the narrative more relatable and authentic to the reader as it ebbs and flows in a way that feels natural and true to human experiences.
Example 1: Rapid Pacing During a Critical Business Situation
"My phone rang at 3:47 am. 'It won't launch.' I felt hot, like all my blood rushed to my head to help me think my way out of this. In 13 minutes, our highest-paying client 4,000 miles away in Europe was about to give a presentation featuring our course in front of 500 people, and after weeks of testing, today, it won't launch. What could the problem be, and what could I do about it? I started making calls. Has he rebooted? What's different than when we tested it in his office? Is it the same computer? Okay, okay. What time is it? Breathe. Where is the course hosted? How big is the course? Can we publish it locally and send him the zip file so he can launch it directly? Hold on. It's another call. Yes, what happened? Wait, what? I see. Stop -- I agree. Checking whether he had the correct link first would have been fabulous. Have a great rest of your morning. I'm going back to sleep."
The rapid pacing in this scenario conveys a crisis's urgency and high pressure. It immerses the reader in the protagonist's frantic mindset, making the situation feel more immediate and critical. The pacing is created by the speed of the questions she's asking. The number of questions reflects the same confusion she felt. This pacing is effective for scenes requiring a sense of urgency and tension. Also, note how the tension is relieved when the questions stop.
Example 2: Slow Pacing for Reflective Moments
"Dusk. I remember when I first heard my father say that word. I thought he said, 'dust.' It made sense to me -- dust was all that was left at the end of the day. So, I use that time to reflect, usually sitting at my desk, staring out the window. The empty streets below are bathed in the soft glow of streetlights. In the quiet, I think about where my company is going - our growth, our goals, my team's well-being. I fight the urge to feel like I'm doing nothing, wasting time, because I know how powerful contemplation can be and that the break from the usual hustle of my everyday life is not just nice -- it's necessary."
Slowing down the pacing here allows for a reflective and introspective moment. It allows the reader to pause and digest the information, mirroring the protagonist's contemplative state. Slow pacing is effective for scenes that require deep thought, character development, or significant revelations.
In each example, the pacing is deliberately chosen to suit the story's mood, theme, and events. Whether fast, slow, or varied, pacing is a powerful tool in storytelling that can enhance the reader's experience and deepen their engagement with the narrative.
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Instructional Designer, eLearning professional, and Founder at MyeLearningWorld.com
9 个月Great breakdown of pacing in storytelling! Good reminder that we're not just sharing information, we're crafting an experience. The pace the story unfolds can dramatically alter a learner's engagement and comprehension. It's an art form in itself!
Solving problems at the intersection of creativity and play.
9 个月Pacing is so critical in the written story, the spoken story, and any supporting visual narratives. The two images you chose for these examples perfectly support the urgent and calming stories. I can "hear" the character's voice and tone on the phone in the first image. And I can sense the reflective thoughts in the second character's image.