Please join us in welcoming author Sara Zarr who will be discussing pacing in contemporary YA. Sara is the acclaimed author of numerous YA novels including Once Was Lost (January 2011) and How to Save a Life, which will release this October.
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Sara, thank you! I’m in the middle of a major re-write and pacing is something I’m working on. Thanks for your tips and insight into how you work through pacing issues.
These were some wonderful tips, Sara. I especially liked the parts about what to say and not to say in dialogue, and about the midway point. Thanks!
Thanks for the advice – I pulled up my WIP and checked out my pages halfway through and also at page 30
Great suggestions Sara – especially the midway point. So much said in just a few minutes!
Sara, thanks so much for sharing these wonderful tips! I especially loved the tip about page 30. I won’t be able to pull out my manuscript until later, but I can’t wait to check out page 30 to see if my pacing is on the right track. Thanks again!
Thank you Sarah! You’re awesome!
Awesome! Great suggestions here. Thanks!
Great post! My favorite part was what you said about the halfway point also being half way thru your story. Such obvious advice that I don’t think I’ve really heard before. Love it. Practical. I know I’ll be keeping that in mind going forward. Thanks Sara!
Since I’m in the early stages of revising my first contemporary YA novel, I found this very helpful. Thank you, Sara!
Happy Writing to you too, Sara. And yes, it was helpful! And I think that’s why it’s important, for me anyway, to have some time (usually a lot of time!) away from a ms. Need that distance so I can see it better-am going to do a read through with a focus just on the pacing, checking for the things you’ve mentioned. Thanks!
This was SO timely. I’m currently revising my YA Contemporary and struggling with some pacing. Thank you!
This is wonderful. Pace is one of my weaknesses.
I am in the final stages of revision – maybe…if I don’t change my mind again and decide to do more! Pacing is what I am really looking at this time through. The 30 page reminder is key.
Now I have to go make sure one of my characters shows up in time.
Thanks!
Great information! Thanks!
Thank you. Very helpful.
Really awesome thoughts on ‘not saying exactly what the characters mean to say’ in every bit of dialog. We forget how much real people struggle to articulate feelings, etc. in conversation.
Thanks for sharing!
Pacing is an issue for me. Thanks, this helps.
Wonderful advice, Sara! I find pacing in contemporary YA to be quite challenging so I was really looking forward to this.
Thanks Sara! This was so helpful! Pacing is definitely a tough one, and I think your tips are a great checklist to keep handy in the revision process to keep on target.
Thank you for this great advice! I’m just beginning to draft a contemporary YA novel and this has given me a lot to think about. Really appreciate it.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom on pacing Sara!
Thanks, Sara! Timely advice for me. I’ll have you know I was taking notes.
Thanks so much for the tips, Sara! *runs off to check content of first 30 pgs*
Thank you Sara for all the great information, especially the first 30 pages set up rule!
All the best to you and your writing…
Thanks, Sara! The advice about page 30 will be really helpful for my next revision!
This was SO helpful! I’m excited to use this information as I revise my WIP. Thanks!
Thanks, Sara! Your specifics about midpoint and the first 30 pages are incredibly helpful. I’m about 2/3 the way through my rough draft, so I’m not revising yet, but when I do I will keep these points in mind. This is my first contemporary-realism YA story, and I’m often at a loss as to what’s expected (I’m so used to fantasy/sci-fi). Thanks again!
That was a great post/vlog/mini-class on pacing. I love that I got to watch you, take notes, and get a better feel for your advice. I feel like I get brain-fuzzy when I read too much on-line. This was really great.
This was really interesting and I thank you so much for the input. I am in the umpteenth rewriting of my book and I will use all of the info you suggested. Again, Thanks, lmiller
This is tremendously helpful! Thank you!
Thank you so much for all the great advice! I’m revising my MG, NED, yet again and this will help no ends, especially the first 30 pages set up rule!
Interesting ideas, Sarah, especially about page 30 and the midpoint. Will be taking a look! Thanks for taking the time to join in the fun!
I’m writing a YA Contemporary Fantasy (strange I know) and I often worry that my scenes are too short and conflicts don’t last as long as they should. Your advice will give me much to think about when I start editing my rewrite of this WIP.
wow taking notes as I’m in middle of revising. Thanks!!
Kelly Ethan
Thanks for all the comments, y’all! I’m so glad that was helpful, and I had fun doing it.
Did you choose this song yourself? I love “Gel”!!!! It’s one of my fave songs. Whoever chose this needs to be worshiped. Great commentary on pacing.
There was so much useful information in this–I took notes! Thanks so much.
Thank you, Sara, and all of the WriteOnCon team!
If Sara Zarr wrote the Yellow Pages, I would read them.
Thank you, Sara! Very helpful tips, particularly like the way you assess the midpoint. Just drafting a contemporary now so will definitely put your advice to use.
Just getting caught up on all the posts, and thanks so much for this information. Pacing is important for any book, but I think especially for YA–you’re competing with so many other forms of entertainment, and if you can’t keep the story moving you’ll lose the reader’s interest.
Awesome advice, Sara. Thank you so much!
thanks Sara!