Definition
A narrative pacing fix is any targeted revision technique used to address pacing issues: sections that move too fast, drag too slowly, or create the wrong rhythm for the story's emotional needs. Pacing problems are among the most common issues in manuscripts, and they're often invisible to the writer because you already know what happens next. Fixing pacing usually involves a combination of cutting, expanding, restructuring, and adjusting scene-level rhythm.
Why It Matters
Pacing is what makes readers turn pages or put the book down. A beautifully written scene that arrives at the wrong moment will still feel off. Learning to diagnose and fix pacing issues is one of the most impactful revision skills you can develop, because it affects how every other element of your story lands.
Types of Narrative Pacing Fix
Try It Yourself
Open your manuscript and write a one-line summary for each scene in a single chapter, noting how many pages each scene takes. Compare the page count to the importance of each scene to the story. Flag any scene that takes more than two pages but could be summarized in a single sentence. Then identify one scene that rushes past an important emotional beat and draft an expanded version.
Can you see where your story drags or rushes?
Novelium's Pacing Analysis maps the rhythm of your entire manuscript, highlighting sections where the pace drops or accelerates unexpectedly. It helps you spot the pacing problems that are hardest to feel when you're too close to the text.