I remember the first time I realised how important it is to give your readers a break. About 10 years ago, I was writing an action/adventure fanwork. That year I had written a Christmas special, where the characters were just literally just sitting around chatting and reminiscing about their past adventures. One of my readers commented how it was really refreshing to have the focus shift from action and fighting to the characters just being people and chilling.
Yea that's really cool. Plus, it sounds like a good setting for you to remind readers about anything important in those past adventures. They'll enjoy being reminded about the awesome fun, but you can highlight any specific takeaways or anything that might be relevant in future narrative. Thanks for sharing!
Yeah. I'm thinking of getting rid of Adobe. Just need something else that is equally professional looking while not draining my bank account every month.
Can we get one on how to write non-cringe romance situations? "fade to black" only works for so long when something story-wise needs to happen mid romantic situation. ;/
Like, when you say romance situations, and then go on to say fade-to-black, what you seem to mean is "Crank up the Barry Manilow and pour the bubbly." There's a difference between romance situations and, well, for lack of a better word, sexual situations. For instance, the bit I just wrote (from the perspective of both characters, too), would absolutely be a "romance" situation, but there's nothing sexual about it. And yes, it has something storywise happen right in the middle of it (in fact, one of the major defining points for both of them happens at that juncture). As to non-cringe, it's all in how you describe things. The way my spouse writes, it's what they want to read. Me? I usually fade-to-black or heavily imply there's going to be some wink-wink-nod-nod-if-ya-know-what-I-mean going on. I find that if something needs to happen with the characters while they're ah, *compromised* as such, it can usually be handled by describing the reaction of the person who has done the compromising. That's my £0.02 on it. Hope it helps, or at least gives you something to think about! :D
Fantastic video! Yes, I noticed some books have a flawless reading experience and some just seem strangled despite having plenty of things happening but I never realized it's the micropacing. I wish you did an extra video to deconstruct the technique. It would be so amazingly useful.
Loved the video! Your comment about the LOTR movie's pacing is absolutely valid. Nowadays we're so much more used to quicker paced stories and films, unlike back when Tolkien wrote his book, it needed adjustment for a modern-day film. Although I think every fan wouldn't mind a longer version, in general, they made necessary choices. I really don't like it when people hold the book up as an example for fantasy literature in the conversation of 'How to write a book...'. It is a classic and it is wonderful, but it is not suited as an example for fantasy novels that people write today.
I saw "LOTR" in this comment and thought the time, and someone was here to slay me for criticizing Tolkien lol. Yeah, I agree that they don't really stand up as great examples when talking about writing in modern times. Not everyone has 30 years to spend worldbuilding 😂
I haven't been this early into a channel's up-tick of activity (and growth) in a long time. I've watched all your other videos and am on the edge of my seat for more.
I was a little concerned after Re-reading the start of my novel today but after listening to your advice I think I may be more on the right lines than I first thought! Great video man you have earned a new subscriber
Ooooh, I recognize that method of switching chapter-by-chapter from main plot to subplot and I *HATE* it so much. Rather than keep me engaged, it just keeps me _enraged_ at the end of every single chapter. I think the reason is because wayyy too many authors use this method as a way to have cliffhangers every freaking chapter. This just leaves the reader feeling that _nothing is ever resolved._ There is no downtime, no time to breathe. The author ends up so concerned with "reader retention" that it's like they're injecting you with adrenaline at the end of every chapter, then leaving you chained to a chair to wait until that plot comes back two chapters from now. That's not an enjoyable reading experience and I will viciously blacklist that author in the future.
For those writers that have released a book, I believe their readers are just as important as other writers. Pay attention to the reviews your book is getting, especially what they praise and what they disparage. Look for the trends, kill the bad prose and nurture the good. :-)
G.R.R. Martin focuses on multiple stories at once without making it feel like its dragging along. Also, if dialogue is needed, making sure it reveals something about the characters, their dynamics, or the plot (and/or moves it forward) keeps the pace up.
I find it funny how now many writers are extremely focused on pacing or on the readers attention, while it has only existed as a concept for less than a 150 years. Seriously. Do you know why so many classical literature is hard to read? Because they had NO pacing, they just did what they wanted! And people still read their books! And we still have them as part of the literary canon! That’s why Tolkien, in the 20th Century, had his books be slow; he wanted it. What I mean is, pacing IS important, don’t get me wrong, but if you write a good story, people will stay for it.
I have a story thats starts out with 3 main characters that later branch out into 3 separate plots exploring the world each revealing things in the other plots the other 2 characters aren’t aware of then at some points the plots and characters come back to together 2 at a time. I think it should be easier for me because I usually suck at pacing and write everything way too fast or way too slow.
Great information! Easy to follow and good advice. You have me as your new subscriber! I recently received Campfire as a gift, and I am so excited to use it. Thank you for this Gem of software.
I’m still pretty amateur, so I’m just completing one science fiction short story at the moment, but it’s still hard not to go too fast. It’s even more frustrating cuz I struggled with slow pacing when I first started writing fiction. It’s difficult to strike a balance between taking ten long paragraphs to describe ten seconds and just listing off a bunch of events in rapid fire succession.
I've never read any of Butcher's work, but one of the guys here at the company keeps telling me to read the Dresden Files, so I'll have to check it out eventually!
Brent Weeks. Especially fight scenes. He. Does it. Right. As I review my first novel, I find a lot of places where I wrote a proper and complete sentences where I really didn't want to. I follow convention (word count, chapter length, other grammar) because I'm afraid it will reflect on me as an amateur. Fine--I am. But Mr. Weeks' effective use of incomplete sentences convinced me to use them. When they work.
Any recommended reading from Weeks? I'd love to check him out! Action is one of the more difficult things to write, so I'd love to read some great action.
@@AroundTheCampfire I've only started the Lightbringer series but already recommend it. IF you enjoy epic fantasy. The Black Prism (first book) is ~180K words, but he sucks you in quick!
Bro. I've written my first chapter of my first novel, it's taken 2 weeks to plants the entire story. Can you review it for me please...I mean like to give me feedback, not as in promote me.
Join the discord in the description and shoot me a personal message! You should find my profile in the "official announcements" channel. I'll give it a read 👌
I'm working on a book where the big mystery is how capitalist exploitation works and the main character slowly realizes he's a wage worker. Thing is: once you got all the relevant information from the big reveal in the middle, you have to be a complete doofus to not come to the correct conclusion in the next couple chapters. My main character is kinda too smart there. The second "half" of act II is half as long as it should be, and act III which leads up to the "let's occupy the factory!" speech is even shorter because the main character is still in the habit of petty bourgeois idealism - and if he wasn't, there wouldn't be an ending at all. This sucks!
I remember the first time I realised how important it is to give your readers a break. About 10 years ago, I was writing an action/adventure fanwork. That year I had written a Christmas special, where the characters were just literally just sitting around chatting and reminiscing about their past adventures. One of my readers commented how it was really refreshing to have the focus shift from action and fighting to the characters just being people and chilling.
Those are where some of the best character moments happen! They get a moment to talk, and you can learn so much about them.
Yea that's really cool. Plus, it sounds like a good setting for you to remind readers about anything important in those past adventures. They'll enjoy being reminded about the awesome fun, but you can highlight any specific takeaways or anything that might be relevant in future narrative. Thanks for sharing!
So glad your software is one-time purchase, unlike Adobe software
Same here
No no it’s apart of the fun. I enjoy buying a software that I find myself not using and having to pay to stop being charged
@@jazzburrell8870 lol
@@jazzburrell8870 hahaha nice
Yeah. I'm thinking of getting rid of Adobe. Just need something else that is equally professional looking while not draining my bank account every month.
Can we get one on how to write non-cringe romance situations?
"fade to black" only works for so long when something story-wise needs to happen mid romantic situation. ;/
For sure! I definitely have to hit romance!
Like, when you say romance situations, and then go on to say fade-to-black, what you seem to mean is "Crank up the Barry Manilow and pour the bubbly."
There's a difference between romance situations and, well, for lack of a better word, sexual situations. For instance, the bit I just wrote (from the perspective of both characters, too), would absolutely be a "romance" situation, but there's nothing sexual about it. And yes, it has something storywise happen right in the middle of it (in fact, one of the major defining points for both of them happens at that juncture).
As to non-cringe, it's all in how you describe things. The way my spouse writes, it's what they want to read. Me? I usually fade-to-black or heavily imply there's going to be some wink-wink-nod-nod-if-ya-know-what-I-mean going on. I find that if something needs to happen with the characters while they're ah, *compromised* as such, it can usually be handled by describing the reaction of the person who has done the compromising.
That's my £0.02 on it. Hope it helps, or at least gives you something to think about! :D
Man just paced the entire episode. Epic.
5:17 "Perry Hotter"
Killed me.
Ah yes, Perry Hotter! The young warlock that attends Dogwarts with his friends Don and Persephone
@@AroundTheCampfire Next video needs to about writing comedy, cause you're pretty good at it
Fantastic video! Yes, I noticed some books have a flawless reading experience and some just seem strangled despite having plenty of things happening but I never realized it's the micropacing. I wish you did an extra video to deconstruct the technique. It would be so amazingly useful.
Great episode, subbed!
Thanks! Glad you liked it 😁
Loved the video! Your comment about the LOTR movie's pacing is absolutely valid. Nowadays we're so much more used to quicker paced stories and films, unlike back when Tolkien wrote his book, it needed adjustment for a modern-day film. Although I think every fan wouldn't mind a longer version, in general, they made necessary choices. I really don't like it when people hold the book up as an example for fantasy literature in the conversation of 'How to write a book...'. It is a classic and it is wonderful, but it is not suited as an example for fantasy novels that people write today.
I saw "LOTR" in this comment and thought the time, and someone was here to slay me for criticizing Tolkien lol. Yeah, I agree that they don't really stand up as great examples when talking about writing in modern times. Not everyone has 30 years to spend worldbuilding 😂
I haven't been this early into a channel's up-tick of activity (and growth) in a long time. I've watched all your other videos and am on the edge of my seat for more.
Thanks so much! We are working on a bunch of new stuff right now 😁
I was a little concerned after Re-reading the start of my novel today but after listening to your advice I think I may be more on the right lines than I first thought! Great video man you have earned a new subscriber
Ooooh, I recognize that method of switching chapter-by-chapter from main plot to subplot and I *HATE* it so much. Rather than keep me engaged, it just keeps me _enraged_ at the end of every single chapter. I think the reason is because wayyy too many authors use this method as a way to have cliffhangers every freaking chapter. This just leaves the reader feeling that _nothing is ever resolved._ There is no downtime, no time to breathe. The author ends up so concerned with "reader retention" that it's like they're injecting you with adrenaline at the end of every chapter, then leaving you chained to a chair to wait until that plot comes back two chapters from now. That's not an enjoyable reading experience and I will viciously blacklist that author in the future.
For those writers that have released a book, I believe their readers are just as important as other writers. Pay attention to the reviews your book is getting, especially what they praise and what they disparage. Look for the trends, kill the bad prose and nurture the good. :-)
wow Parker great job keep it up
He's already working on the next one 😁
My favorite writer, Brandon Sanderson, uses great pacing to keep the momentum going in a very exciting and comfortable way.
Sanderson is so good. His method of making you ask questions to propel you forward is SO EFFECTIVE. I always want to keep reading!
G.R.R. Martin focuses on multiple stories at once without making it feel like its dragging along.
Also, if dialogue is needed, making sure it reveals something about the characters, their dynamics, or the plot (and/or moves it forward) keeps the pace up.
I find it funny how now many writers are extremely focused on pacing or on the readers attention, while it has only existed as a concept for less than a 150 years. Seriously. Do you know why so many classical literature is hard to read? Because they had NO pacing, they just did what they wanted! And people still read their books! And we still have them as part of the literary canon! That’s why Tolkien, in the 20th Century, had his books be slow; he wanted it. What I mean is, pacing IS important, don’t get me wrong, but if you write a good story, people will stay for it.
The 1000+ episodes of one piece agree with you
Great video!
I have a story thats starts out with 3 main characters that later branch out into 3 separate plots exploring the world each revealing things in the other plots the other 2 characters aren’t aware of then at some points the plots and characters come back to together 2 at a time. I think it should be easier for me because I usually suck at pacing and write everything way too fast or way too slow.
Insightful video! And balls-out honesty regarding Tolkien. You've earned some respect, dude.
Thanks! Tolkien isn't above criticism 🤷♀️
✨ B A L A N C E ✨
my man Iroh knew what he was talking about
@@AroundTheCampfire
1:31 2:53
Great information! Easy to follow and good advice. You have me as your new subscriber! I recently received Campfire as a gift, and I am so excited to use it. Thank you for this Gem of software.
I’m still pretty amateur, so I’m just completing one science fiction short story at the moment, but it’s still hard not to go too fast. It’s even more frustrating cuz I struggled with slow pacing when I first started writing fiction. It’s difficult to strike a balance between taking ten long paragraphs to describe ten seconds and just listing off a bunch of events in rapid fire succession.
Jim Butcher's pacing is crazy good.
I've never read any of Butcher's work, but one of the guys here at the company keeps telling me to read the Dresden Files, so I'll have to check it out eventually!
@@AroundTheCampfire. Have a friend who just ditched Stormlight archives for Dresden Files. It's that good.
Great work you guys are doing.
Balance ⚖✔
Brent Weeks. Especially fight scenes. He. Does it. Right. As I review my first novel, I find a lot of places where I wrote a proper and complete sentences where I really didn't want to. I follow convention (word count, chapter length, other grammar) because I'm afraid it will reflect on me as an amateur. Fine--I am. But Mr. Weeks' effective use of incomplete sentences convinced me to use them. When they work.
Any recommended reading from Weeks? I'd love to check him out! Action is one of the more difficult things to write, so I'd love to read some great action.
@@AroundTheCampfire I've only started the Lightbringer series but already recommend it. IF you enjoy epic fantasy. The Black Prism (first book) is ~180K words, but he sucks you in quick!
I am so impressed that you have Rothfuss as your example. Well done! Shall Kvothe ever be on paper again? Sigh.
Love Rothfuss, but also we try not to think about Rothfuss 😔
Great video. Subbed.
Bro. I've written my first chapter of my first novel, it's taken 2 weeks to plants the entire story. Can you review it for me please...I mean like to give me feedback, not as in promote me.
Join the discord in the description and shoot me a personal message! You should find my profile in the "official announcements" channel. I'll give it a read 👌
@@AroundTheCampfire oh great! I can't seem to find your discord link though..
my issue is *fast* pacing :( I dunno how to slow down towards the end
I'm working on a book where the big mystery is how capitalist exploitation works and the main character slowly realizes he's a wage worker. Thing is: once you got all the relevant information from the big reveal in the middle, you have to be a complete doofus to not come to the correct conclusion in the next couple chapters. My main character is kinda too smart there. The second "half" of act II is half as long as it should be, and act III which leads up to the "let's occupy the factory!" speech is even shorter because the main character is still in the habit of petty bourgeois idealism - and if he wasn't, there wouldn't be an ending at all. This sucks!
Exactly bro! It’s so hard not to go too fast.
🅱️alance
b̴̡̂͂̊̓̆͌̕̕̚͝a̵̼̭̥̥͕͎̥͉͉͉͍̲͛̀͐̏̒̈̄̊̃̏̅͒̆͜͜͠l̶̨̧̢̦̟̳̜̭̱̟͖͍̔̀͌͊͒̓͑͂̈́͊̀̚̕͜ą̶̹̺͉̩͚̫̘̪͎̬͔͐͗͌̒̽͊͑͐̚͘͜ͅn̶̡̟̘̣̟͖̤̗̜̘̖̩̹̉̃̀̉̂͐͋̀̈́̔̀̚̕͜͝c̷̖͕͔͕̠̮̻̗̖̲͖̉͋̊̐̀͒̎̓̃͊̅̍̔͜͜ė̵̤̫̮̥͙̔̈́̉̀͘̕
The "fake typing" hahahahaha
Good love stories is not that easy to write, they can be generic and boring.
It is NOT understandable for me u have so few subs. U deserve more
Lol people think that writing is a formula bullshit