 Action/Adventure: March 02, 2016 Issue [#7509] |
  Action/Adventure
This week: A Pacing Lesson from YA Writers Edited by: Cinn  
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When Lil’s husband got demobbed, I said—
I didn’t mince my words, I said to her myself,
HURRY UP PLEASE ITS TIME
~Excerpt from "The Waste Land" by T. S. Eliot
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Time for another Action-packed newsletter! Toward the end of the month, I always have a million and one things to do on WDC. There are reviews to finish, contests to enter, challenges to complete, forums to update, and so forth. One small act of procrastination leads to another, and suddenly, I am working on about 50 things at once. On my long list of things to finish in the next 26 hours, this newsletter sat at the top, nagging at me. After dismissing many possible topics, I returned to the fact that my time is short.  Pacing!
The pacing in an action sequence is very important. If it is too slow, the passage wont read like action. If it is too fast, people may become confused as to just what is happening. How can we strike that balance?
I am not a very active fiction writer, but I do love reading about writing. About a year ago, I read an article about writing YA (young adult) books and how the style differs from fiction written for adult audiences. One of the primary differences is pacing. Many young adult writers cut the excessively flowery language. They get to the point quicker. If a car spins out during a chase, they are more likely to say "the car spun out" rather than describe the entire action. It is probably a good technique for all of us to keep in mind when writing a scene. A little description goes a long way, and if it isn't necessary to describe something... don't.
While writing stories, I tend to get bogged down in detail because I am a detail-oriented person. I find myself growing bored with a scene I'm writing before I even have the purpose of the passage written. If I'm bored with writing it, surely people will be bored stiff reading it! This little article about YA writers has come back to me during these occasions. Just the reminder helps. I stop cold, remind myself of the purpose, and get to the point right then and there so that I can move the story along. Because this bit of information has been helpful for me, I thought perhaps it might be helpful for some of you as well. 
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Do you think that you are more prone to using too much detail or too little?  Do you have any tips to share on the topic of pacing?
 
In the last Action/Adventure newsletter I edited, the topic was accuracy in explosions and fire. The responses have been interesting:
It isn't ludicrous to try to get details right at all! I am one of those detail-oriented people and it drives me crazy when writers don't do research and a character ends up walking two miles with a severed artery and no medical attention, or something. I think I drive my family nuts by nit-picking apart movies after I've seen them. Great newsletter. Thanks! From sarahsbooks
Walking two miles...  That is a perfect example! At some point, you have to wonder if it's accidentally silly or a continuity error. Did the author forget that their artery was severed in the previous scene? 
This is fascinating. I did some research on pyromaniacs and arsonists. there is a difference. How and why they start fires are interesting and the very basis of my novel From Quick-Quill 
Oh, the psychology behind the fire! That is certainly an angle that had not occurred to me, but I'm sure that your novel will turn out better for the research. Accuracy is accuracy, whether physical science or mental health.
One of the things I didn't see in latest Action Adventure article on Explosions and Fire was a mention of the importance of compression. Fireworks, C4, propane bombs all require compression or they just sizzle and burn. Its the compression that makes them go BANG! From percy goodfellow 
That is what comes from my lack of expertise where fire is concerned! An excellent point! Hopefully readers will discover this factor while doing their research. Thank you for point out this missing link! 
Great newsletter on using fire in action/adventure stories! Inspires the imagination! Well written. From StephBee 
Glad you enjoyed it, love! If it can spark your imagination (pun intended), then I'm happy to hear it! 
I don't want to be tied to that chair, I just don't see how that could be fair.
Fire is always a little to fast. I will make that my word the last. No I guess not, you raised some good questions in this N/L and I enjoyed the read. Thank you. From Monty 
It may not be fair, but writers beware! Readers wont read unless conflict is there! Thanks for reading, Monty! And for the impromptu poetry as well! You know, a rhyme here and there is always welcome!
I know your dad's frustration. After 18 years in the military, even my wife gets frustrated watching military movies and shows with me once I start pointing out weapons issues. I'll let most go because not everyone is an expert or puts a lot of effort into realism. But, when it starts to get really flagrant and absurd, I find it hard to hold back. My biggest pet peeve is the insanely long gun battle with massive amounts of rounds being fired and no one ever reloads. Let's be honest, no weapon has that kind of capacity. Another one is the hero firing insanely large or powerful weapons (bazookas and belt-fed weapons) from the hip like it's normal and easy. And don't even get me started on the times when the "good guys" never miss without even aiming. I understand the attempt to suspend reality, but let's try not to throw it out the window. From mikemac789
Nicely written response! Those gun battles without reloads are another one of my father's pet peeves as well. He's a bit of a gun enthusiast. It is particularly noticeable when the hero has a six-shooter that apparently holds 26 bullets. I agree with your opinion whole-heartedly! Thanks for reading and sharing your thoughts!
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