Knowledge Base
Find Answers to Your Self-Publishing Questions: Search Our Knowledge Base and Master the Terminology
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 And Choose The Right Genre For Your Book
How To Plan Your Story Using Flow
How To Develop Engaging Characters For Your Book
How To Plan The Plot And Key Conflict Of Your Story
Ideal Word Count For Illustrated Books Based On Age And Book Type
How To Define The Time Setting For Your Story
How To Write An Impressive Author Bio For Your Book
Should You Establish Your Own Publishing Company
How To Write A Captivating Book Blurb For Childrens Books
How To Plan The Ending Or Resolution Of Your Story
Setting Your Title And Author Name Before Applying For Copyright
How To Plan Where Your Story Begins
How To Conduct A Competitive Analysis For Your Book
How To Enter The Author Name For Your Book
How To Plan Distribution Options For Your Selfpublished Book
Understanding The Differences Between Fiction And Nonfiction
How To Plan Your Narrative Pointofview Pov
How To Plan The Plot Climax Or High Point Of Your Story
How To Plan The Theme Of Your Book
How To Choose The Right Book Type For Your Story
Typography And Text Design In Illustrated Books Best Practices
Understanding Book Types Formats And Sizes In Childrens Publishing
Structuring Your Childrens Book Plot Climax And Falling Action
Your Childrens Book Tone Theme And Point Of View
How To Define The Place And Setting For Your Story
Writing
Crafting A Compelling Plot In Childrens Books
How To Add Tags To Your Manuscript In Made Live
How To Plan Page Turns With Spread Breaks In Made Live
The Milestone Of Completing Your First Draft
Overcoming Writers Block In Childrens Book
How To Selfedit Dialogue In Your Book
How To Plan The Language And Tone For Your Book
Effective Techniques For Childrens Books
Registrations
How To Set Up And Modify Your Copyright Information In Made Live
How To Secure An Isbn For Your Book A Global Guide
How To Enter Your Isbn In The Section
How To Officially File For Copyright Protection As An Author
Designing
How To Check Your Storyboard And Design For Continuity
Revising Your Books Design And Layout For Optimal Flow
How To Add Back Matter To Your Illustrated Book
Choosing The Right Fonts For Your Book
How To Create A Title Page For Your Illustrated Book
How To Design The Back Cover Of Your Book
How To Set Up And Select Color Choices For Your Book In Made Live
How To Delete Extra Spreads To Avoid Blank Pages In Your Book
How To Add Your Barcode To The Back Cover
How To Check The Visual Appeal Of Your Book For The Target Audience
How To Modify Text Blocks In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Import Final Illustrations For Your Illustrated Book
How To Transfer Your Manuscript To The Storyboard
How To Create Effective Pacing In Your Illustrated Book
How To Use Visual Storytelling In Your Illustrated Book
Basics Of Book Illustration Style And Color In Childrens Books
Creating A Physical Book Dummy For Your Illustrated Book
How To Generate Or Import Placeholder Images In The Storyboard Workspace
How To Design A Book Cover For Your Book
How To Insert Copyright Information Into The Storyboard
Adding A Dedication Or Acknowledgements To Your Book
Prioritizing Accessibility In Childrens Book Design
Selfediting Your Book Layout Fitting The Story To The Format
How To Find And Hire A Professional Illustrator For Your Book
Choosing The Right Illustration Style For Your Childrens Book
Editing
How To Edit With A Final Read Aloud Before Sending To An Editor
How To Selfedit And Proofread For Grammar Punctuation And Spelling
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Illustrations
How To Selfedit For Filler Words
How To Review The Cover Design For Your Illustrated Book
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Clarity
How To Selfedit For Flow By Reading Your Manuscript Aloud
How To Selfedit For Punctuation In Dialogue
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Redundancy
Self Tips And Techniques For Aspiring Authors
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Vocabulary
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Consistency
How To Provide Clear Illustration Notes For Your Illustrator
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Story Structure
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Theme
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Pacing
How To Selfedit Your Manuscript For Your Audience
Steps To Finalizing Your Manuscript For Childrens Book Publication
How To Find And Hire A Professional Editor For Your Illustrated Book
How To Get Feedback On Your Manuscript
Publishing
Choosing The Perfect Title For Your Childrens Book
Preparing For International Distribution Language Translations And Multiple Formats
Going Global Preparing Your Childrens Book For International Distribution
Understanding Isbn Pcn And Pcip For Childrens Book
Navigating Legal Aspects Of Copyright And Infringement In Childrens Book
Navigating Contracts And Rights For Childrens Books
Navigating Self Vs Traditional In Childrens Books
Marketing
Building An Author Brand And Online Presence
Navigating Book Reviews And Publicity For Childrens Books
Connecting With Key Players Engaging With Schools Libraries And Bookstores
Mastering Book Launches And Promotional Events For Childrens Books
Maximizing Your Reach Utilizing Social Media And Online Platforms For Childrens Books
Mastering Effective Strategies For Childrens Books
Community
Joining Writing And Publishing Communities For Childrens Book Creators
Enhancing Skills With Workshops Webinars And Learning Opportunities In Childrens Book Publishing
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
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.