pacing--revelations and triumphs
Okay, people, here's another question for you regarding writing/revising: pacing.
I have this problem where I don't want to give away things too soon, so I write clues and drag things on until readers either fall asleep or throw the book against the wall and say, do something already!! I know in my head that just because I reveal one thing doesn't mean the story is over now. But unhooking my fingers from the safety of the unknown is hard to do in a practical sense.
The only thing I can think to tell myself is that any time key information is revealed, an obstacle is overcome, etc., it should actually break open a new can of worms for the MC--ie, the solution becomes the new complication, until the final climax, at which point the whole thing is resolved for good. And I think this is true. But. It's hard to take this theory and put it into practice.
Concrete examples, anyone? Thoughts?
I have this problem where I don't want to give away things too soon, so I write clues and drag things on until readers either fall asleep or throw the book against the wall and say, do something already!! I know in my head that just because I reveal one thing doesn't mean the story is over now. But unhooking my fingers from the safety of the unknown is hard to do in a practical sense.
The only thing I can think to tell myself is that any time key information is revealed, an obstacle is overcome, etc., it should actually break open a new can of worms for the MC--ie, the solution becomes the new complication, until the final climax, at which point the whole thing is resolved for good. And I think this is true. But. It's hard to take this theory and put it into practice.
Concrete examples, anyone? Thoughts?