Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow

Mastering the Art of Pacing

As writers, finding the right rhythm in storytelling can feel like mastering a delicate dance. Knowing when to slow down, letting emotions breathe, and when to pick up the pace so your readers can’t put the story down is the heart of pacing. It can be tricky, but with practice—and a little help from AI—you can hit that sweet spot where the perfect mix of speed and stillness brings your story to life.

I didn’t always understand this. I used to think good writing was about delivering information efficiently and keeping things clear. But I’ve since learned that the most engaging stories don’t rush or drag. They pulse—they take steps forward, then back, sometimes quick, sometimes slow. In this dance, I’ve found AI to be an unexpectedly effective partner.

Let’s explore how you can master this rhythm—this “slow, slow, quick, quick, slow”—and how AI can help you keep your story moving at just the right pace.

Understanding Pacing: The Pulse of Your Story

Pacing is about balance—letting your story move naturally between tension and calm. It’s the difference between readers flying through pages late into the night and pausing to savor a character’s thoughts.

Think of Sally Rooney’s Normal People, which shifts from intense interactions to quieter, reflective moments. This ebb and flow keeps readers emotionally engaged. Or consider Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, where tension builds rapidly and holds—just long enough to keep you breathless without losing momentum.

When pacing works, it feels like a waltz that draws the reader in. When it’s off, it’s like stepping on their toes.

Spotting Pacing Issues

Too fast: If readers aren’t emotionally connecting or if scenes rush by without giving emotions time to land, your pacing might be too quick. You may lose the depth that makes readers care.

Too slow: If the story drags, lingering too long on details or emotions, it can lose momentum. Repetition or unnecessary description often bogs the story down.

Balancing Fast and Slow: Knowing When to Shift Gears

Different genres handle pacing differently, but it always comes down to intention. Thrillers thrive on high-stakes tension, while romances often slow down to explore intimacy and emotional depth. As a writer, you need to decide when to speed up and when to let your story breathe.

Speed Up When: Stakes are rising, tension is building, or you’re approaching a climax.
Slow Down When: Major events have unfolded, emotions need processing, or characters are reflecting deeply.

For example, I recently worked on a scene where two estranged friends reconnect. Initially, it felt flat—too much was said directly. Using AI, I pinpointed where the pacing dragged and introduced pauses, silences, and indirect dialogue. The characters’ vulnerability came through in what wasn’t said, adding layers of tension.

Managing Slower, Character-Driven Scenes: Keeping Emotional Tension Alive

Character-driven stories often thrive on quiet moments, but even slow scenes need to hum with emotional tension. If that tension fades, even the most introspective scene risks feeling tedious.

AI can help by identifying where a scene loses momentum and suggesting ways to keep tension simmering beneath the surface. For instance, let’s say a character is waiting nervously for a confrontation. The pacing is intentionally slow, but tension must build subtly without external action.

Here’s how AI can help you refine emotional pacing:

• Layer Subtext: Ask AI to generate dialogue that reveals as much through pauses and silences as it does through words. In quieter scenes, what’s left unsaid can speak volumes. AI can create a draft, and then you can shape it, adding pauses, gestures, or ellipses to deepen emotional complexity.

• Show Inner Conflict: AI can help outline a character’s internal thoughts that reflect their emotional state. Even in still moments, thoughts can race, conflict, or contradict, adding layers of tension.

Prompt Example: "Generate a conversation between two characters who were once close but are now estranged. Focus on the tension that comes from what they’re not saying. Add pauses, gestures, and subtext to show their unresolved feelings."

This gives you a strong starting point. AI offers a framework, and it’s up to you to infuse the emotional weight between the lines.

Advanced AI Tip: Maintaining Tension Over Longer Scenes

For longer, slower scenes, the challenge is keeping the tension from dissipating. AI can suggest variations to ensure a slow scene doesn’t feel static.

Iterative Scene Building:
Start with a simple prompt and let AI generate a draft. Then, ask for subtle variations—one version might focus on the character’s physical discomfort, while another emphasizes their inner turmoil. These shifts keep the scene dynamic and layered.

Prompt Example: "Create three versions of a slow-paced scene where a character waits for an important phone call. In each version, emphasize a different source of tension: internal anxiety, physical discomfort, or an unsettling atmosphere."

By experimenting with these variations, you can keep the tension alive even in quiet, reflective moments.

AI Integration: A Partner in Perfecting Pacing

AI has become my dance partner in perfecting pacing. It doesn’t lead—it guides. AI can flag when your pacing feels off, where moments are rushed, or where tension stretches too long. But it’s still up to you to add the heart and emotional nuance that AI can’t fully capture.

For instance, I once had AI generate a dialogue between two characters who hadn’t spoken in years. The conversation felt flat: “It’s been a while. How have you been?” But I knew the moment called for tension. By revising the AI-generated text—adding silences, body language, and subtext—I transformed it into something weightier. AI gave me the bones, but I added the muscle and emotion.

Exercises to Refine Your Pacing

Want to fine-tune your pacing? Try these:

1. AI-Generated Dialogue, Enhanced with Subtext
   Have AI create a simple scene between two characters who were once close but are now forced to work together. Then, refine it—add tension, unspoken words, pauses, and gestures that hint at their unresolved history.

2. From Mundane to Meaningful
   Ask AI to generate a mundane conversation (e.g., about the weather). Then transform it by adding subtext—perhaps one character is hiding something. Use pauses and indirect eye contact to show what’s really happening beneath the surface.

Conclusion: Slow, Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow

Mastering pacing is like mastering a dance—knowing when to lead, when to follow, and when to pause. With AI as your creative partner, you can refine your story’s rhythm, ensuring each moment—whether quick or slow—serves the heartbeat of your story. And remember, it’s not just about what’s said; it’s often what’s left unsaid that speaks the loudest.

Have you tried using AI to adjust your pacing? I’d love to hear how it worked for you. Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s swap dance lessons.