Handling Problems of Time and Pace
(from What If? Exercises for Fiction Writers Bernays and Painter Harper Collins 1995)

The traditional rule is that episodes meant to show important behavior in the characters, to make events dramatic as in theater, or to bring news that changes the situation should be presented in a scenic or eyewitness manner.  Stretches of time that are secondary to the story’s development are handles by means of what is called a narrative bridge.  Dialogue is a direct report of speech; in direct discourse is the summary of what was said.  Some examples:

Scenic:
 Now they were at the ford, the rain was still falling and the river was in flood.  John got out of the jeep and stared at the white violence of the water they must cross to reach the place where the muddy road picked up again.

Narrative Summary:
 The journey to Punta Gorda took two days by near-impossible road.  At one point, they had to cross a raging river and follow a muddy track that only a jeep could manage.

Dialogue:
 “Now how are we going to get across?”  Lisa asked.
 “Easy,” said John, “We take the rope over, get it around that big tree and use the winch to pull the jeep across.”
 “But who swims the flood with the rope?”
 “Well I can’t swim,” he said, “But you are supposed to be good at it.”

Indirect Discourse:
 When they came to the swollen river, John suggested that they put a rope across and then use the jeep’s winch to pull the vehicle to the farther bank.  Because Lisa had talked so often about her swimming ability, he suggested ironically that she be the one to take the rope over.

Look at one of your pieces.  Mark where you have shown a full scene or an incidental scene. Mark where you have used summaries, either narrative summaries or summarized scenes and indirect discourse.

Evaluate your choices.  Where would you change them in revision?