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Starting

    Introduction To Childrens Book Publishing

    Creating The Ideal Writing Environment For Childrens Book Authors

    The Importance Of Crafting An Effective Book Summary

    Brainstorming And Conceptualizing Ideas For Your Childrens Book


Planning

    How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story

    How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story

    How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story

    Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type

    How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story

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    How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books

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    Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company

    Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction

    How To Plan And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book

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Writing

    How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live

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    The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft

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Registrations

    How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide

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Designing

    How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book

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    How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace

    How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience

    Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow

    Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book

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    How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace

    How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard

    How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book

    How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book

    How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book

    Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books

    How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book

    Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book

    How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover

    Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book

    How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book

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Editing

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy

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    How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue

    How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme

    Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors

    How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing

    How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor

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    Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication

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Publishing

    Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book

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    Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books


Marketing

    Building An Author Brand And Online Presence

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    Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores

    Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books

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    Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books


Community

    Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators

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    Maximizing Your Publishing Success With Made Live Resources And Support

    Building Connections Networking With Other Childrens Book Authors


Business

    Navigating Literary Agents And Query Letters For Childrens Books

    Advanced Marketing Techniques And Analytics For Childrens Picture Books

    Leveraging Technology In Childrens Book Publishing

    Staying Ahead Keeping Up With Industry Trends And Changes In Childrens Book Publishing

    Embracing Diversity Exploring Diverse Themes And Representation In Childrens Books

    Mastering The Query Process In Childrens Book Publishing


How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript for Pacing


Learn how to self-edit your manuscript to ensure the pacing flows naturally, with moments of tension, excitement, and anticipation on every page turn.

How to Self-Edit Your Manuscript for Pacing

Overview: Pacing is one of the most critical aspects of storytelling, especially in picture books. It determines how the story unfolds, whether it captures and maintains the reader’s attention, and how the emotional highs and lows are spaced throughout. A well-paced story keeps young readers engaged by building anticipation, excitement, and tension at just the right moments. In this article, we’ll explore how to self-edit your manuscript to ensure the pacing flows naturally from one page to the next.


Why Pacing is Important

In picture books, every page counts. The pacing must be just right to keep young readers turning the pages. If the pacing is too slow, readers might lose interest. If it’s too fast, the story can feel rushed, and important moments might not land as intended. A well-paced story gives each scene room to breathe while driving the plot forward.


Key Considerations When Self-Editing for Pacing

1. Does the Story Flow Naturally?

The flow of your story should feel seamless, with each event leading logically to the next. There should be no moments where the reader feels jarred by an abrupt shift in tone, setting, or plot.

  • Ensure smooth transitions between scenes and page turns.
  • Cut unnecessary filler that slows down the pace without contributing to the plot.

Questions to Ask:

  • Does each scene transition naturally to the next?
  • Are there any parts of the story that feel too slow or rushed?

2. Are There Moments of Tension, Excitement, or Humor?

A well-paced story has a rhythm that alternates between moments of calm and moments of tension or excitement. These emotional beats are crucial for maintaining engagement, as they help build anticipation and lead to satisfying payoffs.

  • Add moments of tension or humor where appropriate to keep readers invested.
  • Space out emotional highs and lows to create a balanced rhythm throughout the story.

Questions to Ask:

  • Are there moments of tension or excitement that keep the reader engaged?
  • Do you give readers time to breathe between emotional highs and lows?

3. Do the Page Turns Build Anticipation?

In picture books, page turns are critical pacing tools. Each page should end with a moment that makes readers want to keep going—whether it’s a question that needs answering, a surprise that’s about to be revealed, or a cliffhanger that builds suspense.

  • Ensure each page turn serves a purpose, advancing the plot or building anticipation.
  • Use page turns to your advantage, timing key moments like reveals or action for after the turn.

Questions to Ask:

  • Does each page turn feel necessary, and does it advance the plot?
  • Do the page turns create suspense or anticipation for the next scene?

How to Self-Edit for Pacing

Step 1: Read Your Manuscript Aloud

Reading your manuscript aloud helps you hear the rhythm of your story. Pay attention to how long each section takes to read, and note whether any scenes drag or feel rushed. This method can also help you identify areas where tension or humor needs more space to land.

Step 2: Check for Emotional Beats

Go through your manuscript and identify the emotional beats. Are there enough moments of tension, excitement, or humor spaced throughout the story? If the pacing feels too flat, consider adding a surprise or building anticipation with each page turn.

Step 3: Focus on Page Turns

Examine your manuscript page by page. Does each page leave the reader wanting to turn to the next? A strong page turn should either raise a question, heighten tension, or deliver a reveal. If your page turns don’t feel compelling, you may need to adjust where certain moments or scenes land.

Step 4: Cut Unnecessary Filler

Tighten your story by cutting any unnecessary details or scenes that don’t contribute to the pacing. If a section slows the story down without adding value, consider revising or removing it.


Self-editing for pacing is essential to ensure that your manuscript flows smoothly and keeps readers engaged from start to finish. By focusing on natural transitions, well-timed emotional beats, and compelling page turns, you can create a story that holds your audience's attention and builds anticipation with every page.


Last Updated: 2 months

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