: Re: Descriptive words to slow down the pace of the story? Is it true that to slow down a story, you add descriptive words in place of an action? I feel like the pace my story is going at, I'll

@Si5022468

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Is it true that to slow down a story, you add descriptive words in place of an action?

No, it isn't. Although descriptive words can slow down a story, you do not add them with that specific purpose. If you add them, it is with the purpose of clarifying your setting or creating a certain mood. The slowing down is a consequence, not a purpose. There's little as annoying as going through a story that throws descriptions at you just to slow the narrative.

I feel like the pace my story is going at, I'll finish it in less than 200 pages. It just doesn't feel right to end it so short.

Why doesn't it feel right? I have read long short-stories and short novellas that are perfect in terms of rhythm, events and cohesion. Lengthening them would have destroyed them (IMHO).

If what doesn't feel right is the rhythm, then I'd suggest going over the structure and revising it carefully. Besides, I doubt descriptive words could bump the page number that much.

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