When it comes to storytelling, how fast your character achieves their goals can make or break your story. Too much success too soon? Readers might lose interest.
But when success is earned over time, it feels authentic, satisfying, and keeps readers turning the pages. Let’s dive into why this tactic can be your next superpower in writing.
Why Slowing Down Character Success Works
Think about real life. Success doesn’t happen overnight. People face obstacles, setbacks, and learning curves. Your story becomes more relatable by showing your characters going through similar challenges. Readers will root for their success.
Storywise, it means there’s more room for tension, twists, and emotional highs and lows. This pacing keeps readers invested in your character’s journey. Rapid success can make your characters feel like they have superpowers or that the story’s stakes don’t matter.
After all, what’s more satisfying: a hero who wins on page ten or one who fights tooth and nail to earn their victory?
Tips to Slow Down Your Character’s Success
If you’ve ever struggled with pacing, these tips will help you stretch your character’s journey without making it boring.
1. Add roadblocks.
Life isn’t smooth sailing, and neither should your story be. Add roadblocks that challenge your character in different ways:
- External challenges, like a rival, a physical barrier, or a lack of resources.
- Internal struggles, such as self-doubt, fear, or conflicting desires.
These roadblocks must become part of the story—not something you invent simply to drag things out. For example, a character suffering from self-doubt should show it consistently rather than just at a critical moment.
2. Small victories, small defeats.
Success isn’t an all-or-nothing game. Let your character have small victories along the way. For example, they might pass an important test but lose a friend in the process. These ups and downs keep the journey realistic and emotionally engaging.
3. Subplots.
Subplots can delay the main goal without feeling like filler. Maybe your character is chasing a promotion but also dealing with a messy relationship or a family crisis. These side stories enrich your narrative and give your character more depth. The rounder your characterization is, the more they feel real.
4. Characters instead of events.
Character interactions can naturally slow the story’s progress while adding emotional weight. For example, they might:
- Ally with someone who later betrays them, causing a delay.
- Take on a mentorship role, which divides their attention and time.
- Face opposition from friends or family who doubt their goals, forcing them to convince others while pursuing their own path.
These interactions create layers of conflict and development that make the story richer and more engaging.
5. Ramp it up.
Start with smaller, manageable challenges, then ramp up to bigger ones. Each step should feel harder than the last, making the ultimate success feel more valuable.
6. Play with time.
Flashbacks and flashforwards reveal more information while slowing down immediate progress. Use flashbacks to flesh out a character’s backstory. Use flashforwards to hint at future struggles or victories.
7. Give them space.
Don’t overwhelm your character with endless problems. Give them room to breathe and process recent events.
Dealing with new information and emotions is part of their progress. Their decisions will affect how they earn their victories. Skipping the emotional work makes the payoff less satisfying.
8. Introduce unintended consequences.
Your characters aren’t omniscient. Sometimes, achieving a small goal can create bigger problems. For example, they might win an important achievement but alienate a friend in the process.
By showing that progress often comes with unexpected setbacks, you can keep the stakes high and the story engaging.
9. Explore relationships.
Spend time deepening your character’s relationships with others. Show how allies, mentors, rivals, or loved ones influence their journey. Interpersonal dynamics make interactions more realistic and emotionally engaging.
10. Let them question their goal.
Sometimes, slowing down your character’s success means letting them stop and reflect on what they want. Goals can change as your character grows.
Perhaps the thing they’ve been chasing turns out to be less fulfilling than they imagined. Or maybe it comes with too high a cost.
These moments of doubt create opportunities for internal conflict and character development. By stepping back and re-evaluating, your character can pivot toward a refined or completely different goal.
Conclusion
Slowing down your character’s success is about creating a story that feels real, engaging, and rewarding. It’s not just about the destination—it’s about the twists, turns, and challenges along the way. When you pace your character’s growth, you let readers truly connect with their highs and lows. Their eventual success feels earned, meaningful, and unforgettable.
Remember, storytelling mirrors life. Success isn’t just about reaching the destination; it’s about the path to get there.
How do you slow down your character’s success? Share your thoughts below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- Why Your Story Shouldn’t Be Too Perfect
- How to Write Character Flaws: The Importance of Imperfect Characters
- Character Regression: How to Use Setbacks to Create Better Characters
Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
