The Art of Storytelling: How Editors Look at Narrative Arc
Writers are genuine artists, using storytelling as their medium. They carefully sculpt and mold their narratives like a sculptor does with marble, creating a dynamic structure that captivates readers.
At the core of every good story lies the narrative arc. This provides depth and texture to the plot, adding peaks and valleys among the chain of events. Without this arc, a plot can appear flat and uninteresting. But when conflict, rising action, a climax, and resolution are woven into the structure, the result is a gripping story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
Equally important to the narrative arc is pacing. This refers to the speed at which each plot element unfolds, like the distance between mountains and plateaus. A well-written story balances fast-paced scenes, such as action sequences, and slower-paced ones that focus on character development or building relationships. An editor's keen eye can identify when a scene is moving too quickly or dragging on for too long, adjusting the pacing accordingly.
Editors understand what each element in a narrative arc requires to pace, but it's easy for these speeds to become imbalanced. That's why your editor will help you fine-tune your scenes, advising you when to pick up the pace or slow down and linger on a particular action, image, or emotion. Now let's take a closer look at the key components of a narrative arc:
Exposition
Exposition is essential information about a character's backstory, the setting of the story, or an in-depth explanation of the world-building. It may be tempting to start the novel with all this information right away, but it's important to be careful as long blocks of text can slow down the pacing. Instead, it's best to sprinkle tidbits of exposition throughout the first half of the novel, rather than overwhelming the reader with it all at once in the beginning.
Rising Action
By this point, the major conflict has been presented, and the writer is laying out the foundations of the story. The protagonist is now facing challenges and trying to overcome the conflict. This phase of the plot, known as the rising action, takes up most of the story. During this time, we witness the protagonist's evolution from their initial state. They may form friendships, make enemies, find love interests, and perhaps even experience failure. The pacing varies throughout different scenes - for instance, a scene where the protagonist confronts an obstacle may be fast-paced while a slower scene may follow where characters share their pasts. However, too many quick scenes in succession may feel rushed, while multiple slow-paced scenes can drag down the reader's interest. It's important to maintain balance to keep readers engaged.
Climax
The climax is the peak of the story's narrative arc and the point of highest tension. This is when the protagonist must face their adversary, whether it be a character or an abstract concept like fear, in order to achieve their goal. Pacing can be a powerful tool in building tension at this critical moment. The careful use of fast and slow pacing can both have a powerful impact on readers. Short, staccato sentences, or single words on separate lines can make hearts race and cause intense emotions in readers. Conversely, slowing the pace down to focus on a particular action or image can also heighten the suspense. It's been said that time seems to slow down during moments of adrenaline; by using slower pacing, this feeling can also be conveyed to readers as they experience the story through the protagonist's eyes.
Falling Action
The falling action serves as the bridge between the climax and resolution in a story. As the narrative arc descends, the intense build-up ends. The pace slows down as we witness the aftermath of the climax. This section can serve different purposes depending on the story. It may comprise brief scenes where loose ends are tied up by the protagonist, or it could be slower and filled with explanations from other characters. Some writers choose to use dialogue to develop their characters within this section. The pacing of the falling action is crucial and should be tailored to each individual story. Editors will note whether the pace has been effectively used in a piece of writing.
Resolution
This is the final chapter of the story. All loose ends have been tied, and the protagonist has undergone a significant character transformation since the beginning. The ending does not need to be happy, but it should feel complete. During this stage, the pacing may slow down, but the scenes are also shorter. However, a faster-paced, action-packed resolution could hint at a potential sequel.
The narrative arc and pacing must work together to create a cohesive and engaging story. If a scene is dragging because of excessive exposition and description, it may disengage the reader. If the climax is reached too quickly and conflicts are resolved in just a page, readers will be disappointed by the rushed ending. Finding balance in narrative arcs and pacing is crucial.
Some editorial tips:
· Read your scene aloud. If you trip over complicated phrases or running out of breath before finishing a lengthy sentence, it could indicate that the pacing is too slow.
· Note the white space on your Word document. Too much white space with minimal text could benefit from more character development, setting descriptions, or internal monologue.
· Conversely, if you have large chunks of text spanning multiple pages without breaks, consider breaking them up with dialogue or action beats.
· Scroll through your document while paying attention to the scroll bar on the side. Ideally, about 20% of the way through your story is when your protagonist embarks on their physical or emotional journey. Any earlier than this could mean that the pacing is too slow.
