Writing Tip: Balance Action and Reflection
Some people call this scene and sequel, but it’s the same concept. Good stories have a mix of both action and reflection, and learning how to use these effectively is essential. It’s been the key to ironing out many of my own pacing issues. That’s because too much action, and we risk leaving readers breathless or overwhelmed, but too much reflection, and the story might lose its momentum. The important thing is that both work to move the plot forward. So, how can we strike the perfect balance?
Why Action?
Action is essential to storytelling, regardless of genre or age category. Whether it’s an exhilarating chase, a heated argument, a sword fight, or a difficult diagnosis, action is what propels the story forward and keeps our readers up past their bedtimes, reading just one more chapter. This immediacy is essential for engaging readers!
Without action, there is no tension or momentum. An object at rest stays at rest, and all that. We want our readers to be curious and asking questions, which is why we write interesting and exciting scenes for them. Action is where we infuse our stories with the plot elements that make our hearts race, and if we’re doing it right, we’re using those active plot beats to keep moving toward our big climactic moment.
Characters show us what they’re made of when they’re placed in the middle of action. How they respond to challenges, make decisions under pressure, or confront adversaries speaks volumes about their personalities. So as writers, we can use action not only for the excitement of forward motion, but also to help our readers connect with our characters and understand them better. Just like actual people respond differently to the same events, so do our characters. Or they should.
Why Reflection?
While action drives the plot, reflection adds emotional depth. It's the quiet pause after a storm or the introspective moment in the aftermath of conflict. Reflection allows us as readers to gain access to the characters in a more personal way as they reveal their inner thoughts, fears, and aspirations. It's the intimate glimpse into the soul of the story.
As writers, this is where we can tie in deeper meanings and share more about the themes or recurring motifs we’re wanting to emphasize. These moments of contemplation not only give the reader breathing room (which is important), but time to really think about what’s happened, what’s to come, and what it all means. These are the times where readers really become connected, not only to the characters but to their individual and collective journeys. I like to use these pauses to really dive into interiority and explore what my characters are feeling and thinking after the bigger action beats. Often this includes at least a nod at the story’s overall themes.
Characters evolve through reflection, just like we as human beings do. By allowing characters to pause and reflect on whatever just happened (or whatever has happened up until that point in the story), we guide readers through the arc of personal development, making the characters relatable and authentic. These moments help our characters determine what they’re going to do next, now that they’ve gained more valuable experience and insights. It quite literally can affect the entire trajectory of a story for me as I’m writing, if my characters are in a reflecting moment and it becomes clear they need to move in a different direction than what I originally outlined.
How To Balance Them Both
Some moments may demand high-energy action, while others benefit from the subtlety of reflection. I think the key is to switch it up and vary the intensity, gradually transitioning between these elements. It’s that ebb and flow which keeps us engaged as readers. It’s important to identify when it’s best to quicken the tempo with action-packed sequences and when to slow down, allowing characters and readers alike to catch their breath and reflect on the unfolding events.
Be strategic with it, and know it’s a tool we can use. For instance, it’s not just for reflecting on things that have just happened in the plot. It’s also a really effective way to build anticipation before pivotal action scenes. Allow characters to reflect on their fears, hopes, or impending challenges. This creates tension and heightens the impact of the upcoming action. Similarly, after intense moments, reflection gives characters—and readers—a chance to process and digest the events. I recently read a book that was one action beat after another, and though they were well-written scenes, they lacked a lot of the punch for me because I never got to sit down with the characters and absorb any of it. Like in real-life, this is unsustainable and keeps us in a slightly dissociated state. I think it’s crucial to take the time to pause and process.
As a general rule, any time there’s a big action scene, I follow it with a reflective one. It’s not a hard and fast rule, but it’s what seems to work best for me overall to make sure I’m not overwhelming my readers with non-stop action, but also not boring them with endless navel-gazing. If not an entire scene after every major event, I do think a paragraph or two of reflection is essential to anchoring us in post-action.
Bottom line: stories must balance action and reflection. Action drives excitement, while reflection adds depth. Striking the perfect balance is about understanding the ebb and flow, and remembering that we want our characters to read like real people, which means they need time to stop and process what they’re going through. When I keep that in mind, the balance seems to figure itself out.
Happy writing!
