Report guide
Pacing Diagnostics
A section's length, density, exposition, sentence rhythm, or story movement may be affecting the reader's momentum.
What This Means
Pacing flags are review signals, not orders to cut. A slow or dense section may be exactly right if it deepens tension, reveals character, or gives the reader needed orientation.
Worth Reviewing When
- A quiet or explanatory stretch arrives during high story pressure.
- Several dense sections cluster together without enough change in action, question, conflict, or reveal.
- A sudden section-length change affects rhythm in a way that may feel accidental.
Often Fine When
- The section is intentionally reflective, atmospheric, or emotionally heavy.
- The story needs a breath after intense action.
- The pacing shift matches a structural turn, reveal, or point-of-view change.
How To Review It
- 1Name what the section is doing for the story.
- 2Check whether the reader gets a change in question, emotion, conflict, information, or decision.
- 3If the section feels stalled, add movement, pressure, contrast, or a sharper scene purpose.