Often the most transparent feature of a story is how it is paced. Pacing is considered by many to be the true secret of successful storytelling. The rhythm of a story determines much of what sustains an audience’s interest. A fast-paced story with many changes in scene can suggest urgency and action. Conversely, a slow pace will suggest contemplation, romanticism, relaxation, or simple pleasures.

Changing pace, even in our little story, is very effective. Our narrative can have starts and stops, pauses, and quickly spurted phrases.

Good stories breathe. They move along generally at an even pace, but once in a while they stop. They take a deep breath and proceed. Or if the story calls for it they walk a little faster, and faster until they are running, but sooner or later they have to run out of breath and stop and wheeze at the side of the road. Anything that feels like a mechanical rhythm, anything that does not allow for that pause, to let us consider what the story has revealed, soon loses our interest. Again, trust your own sense of what works. Everyone moves at his or her own pace.