IT’S NOT A RACE (THE ART OF PACING YOURSELF)

Rush your story, lose the plot.

There comes a time with every book that I write where I grow tired of my own story and how long it is taking to get to the meat of it, the real action, or the end. With each uptick on the word count at the bottom of my computer screen, I am agonizingly aware that I am nowhere near finished. There is so much more that is needed to round out the story well. The crazed side of my brain wants to rush to the finish line, regardless of the necessary elements I need to get there. Forget the plot, forget character development and actual substance, just get me to the end!

With that in mind, I could:

A) Let my impulsive nature win out and be happy with a half-baked book.

B) Take a break. Take a breath. And slow it down.

Now, slowing my pace might seem like a fun new form of torture when I’m already restless, but think about it. All good things come with time. As much as I’d like for it not to be true, you cannot rush a good story. Of course, there are up-and-coming writers out there who boast about their ability to write an entire novel in a month or less. If that is you, kudos for all your hard work! Personally, I wouldn’t recommend that or even attempt it, unless you are a seasoned author. Even then, I still wouldn’t recommend it. Writing quickly does not always equal writing quality. May I remind you that quality is what we’re after in the end?

If you’re only writing for word count and clout, don’t. Readers want substance. They want exciting plots without those dastardly holes, characters with truth and depth, and an adventure that allows them to come full circle and experience a whirlwind of emotions. Don’t cheat your readers by hurrying through your writing just to say that you’re done. Give them the story that they want. To do this, you must take your time.

If you are like me, and you’re struggling with the insurmountable task of sorting through the muddled mess in your head for this thing we call Story, I advise you to stop. Stop writing right now. Put what you have of your story in a distant corner where you cannot even see it. Give yourself permission to slow down and take a break. Go touch some grass and read a book. And when you feel that your head has cleared, go back to what you have written. Review it with fresh eyes, so that you can truly see your story’s path and end goal. Your story will be better for it.

The time taken to truly understand your story will only make it better. It turns that germ of an idea into something truly spectacular and worthy of the readers you aim to reach. So, don’t be in a hurry! You, and especially your readers, will be far more thankful for the long road taken, rather than the shortcut to success.

 by Keshia C. Willi