Pacing diagnostic
2 min read
Off-pace books = mid-book drops. The pacing diagnostic visualises this.
Per-chapter heatmap
A horizontal chart, one cell per chapter. Colours:
- 🟢 Green = steady
- 🟡 Yellow = slightly slow / fast
- 🔴 Red = badly off
Consecutive red = high-risk drop zone.
What it scores on
Per-chapter score based on:
- New information density — does this chapter advance the main thread
- Character development — does the protagonist change this chapter
- Time flow — does this chapter feel like "an afternoon" or "two months"
- Tension — does conflict / suspense accumulate
Two failure modes
| Issue | What |
|---|---|
| Drag | Multiple chapters repeat similar content, no advance |
| Rush | Major events handled too quickly; reader can't follow |
Suggestions
Each red / yellow chapter gets:
- Why this chapter's pacing is off — with cited passages
- How to revise: merge / split / add a scene / cut a scene
Pacing vs overall arc
| Section | Scale |
|---|---|
| Pacing diagnostic | Chapter — "is pacing right inside this chapter" |
| Overall arc | Whole book — "does Chapter 1 → ending accumulate correctly" |
Related
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