Proportion: The pacing tool no one talks about

Here’s a fun fact: What you spend time on in a novel is what readers will think is important.

That probably sounds really obvious, but you’d be surprised how easy it is to lose track of proportion in fiction – especially when you’re writing 80,000 words or so.

Proportion problems can lead to a story that feels strangely out of balance. For instance, maybe you’ve gotten into the swing of writing a scene that crackles with so much tension that you keep it going over a couple of chapters, even though it has little bearing on the overall plot.

Or perhaps you’ve interrupted a climactic chase scene through a wedding reception to give a lengthy description of the elaborate floral arrangements and three-metre sheet cake – for laughs, of course!

In scenario one, your reader ends up thinking that the conversation with a character spread over several chapters is more important than it is and feels confused or let down when it turns out not to be the case.

In scenario two, the excitement of a thrilling chase comes to an abrupt halt as you infer that the setting is more important than the action.

Either way, it’s not a great time for your reader.

Understanding proportion in fiction

Proportion is a concept that doesn’t get a lot of airtime when it comes to writing craft. But it makes a huge difference to something that many writers worry about: pacing.

Put simply, spending too much time on the wrong details can make the pace drag; too little time on the big moments can make the story feel rushed and undercooked.

Here are some of the more common problems I encounter when it comes to proportion in fiction:

An info dump of historical/scientific/specialist details

You’ve done the research and you want everyone to know the cool stuff you’ve discovered! Problem is, it turns readers off when it’s not in service to the story.

Narrating everyday movements, journeys, passages of time

Sometimes these scenes can provide an opportunity for your characters to reflect and make decisions, but if nothing changes, a fictional journey can be just as slow on the page as it is in real life.

Long blocks of backstory or set-up

It’s likely your reader doesn’t need as much context as you think to understand the significance of the inciting incident.

Several chapters centred around one event that doesn’t impact the plot

You got carried away in the writing process but as the story evolved, this incident didn’t turn out to be a big deal.

Back-to-back spice scenes

Be honest: are they all moving the story forward/changing something for the characters?

Quick resolution of the climax

This is your characters’ opportunity to show how they’ve grown and changed, so wrapping it up quickly can feel unsatisfying, like skipping dessert.

Proportion control 

On the flipside, when you have a handle on proportion as a writing and pacing tool, you can use it to your advantage.

For instance, focusing on small, everyday details in a scene can lull your reader into a false sense of security so that the shock of a big event lands with greater impact.

You could use extra interiority throughout an important conversation to show your POV character unravelling a secret in real time.

Giving equal attention to a range of suspects in a mystery novel might help conceal the real culprit (remember: what you spend time on tells the reader how important it is).

Balancing act

So how do you know if your story is out of proportion? And when should you try to rein it in?

It’s a tough one to do from close quarters. As with any revision tip, it’s a good idea to take a step back for perspective. Give your work some space (a week or two is good!) and come back to it with fresh eyes so you can pinpoint where you might have gotten carried away. Read the story in one go and ask yourself if there were any plot points, characters or scenes that seemed more important than they turned out to be, or if the characters’ emotional development seemed oddly fast.

Check in and ask: Am I giving readers the experience I intended?

But if you’re so close to it that you can no longer find your balance, it might be time to team up with an editor (hi! hello!) for structural feedback. Editors can help identify where you might have fallen into the trap of disproportionate storytelling and give gentle suggestions to help you get back on track.

Another set of eyes always helps!

If you’d like help with proportion and pacing in your novel, reach out for a chat. To get the ball rolling, book a free 15-minute call or drop me a line here.